2016 25c Coin 'Anzac to Afghanistan' - PEACE

2016 25c Coin 'Anzac to Afghanistan' - PEACE

Geographically isolated and fighting a seemingly unstoppable enemy that had bombed Darwin, attacked Sydney Harbour and marched towards securing Port Moresby in New Guinea, Australians faced an uncertain future during the Second World War. But when Japan surrendered to Allied Forces in the Pacific on August 15, 1945, the nation erupted into celebration as four long years of war finally came to an end.

Three months after the death of Adolf Hitler and the collapse of Nazi Germany in May 1945, Japan surrendered to the Allies and the Second World War finally came to an end. Throughout 1945, with Australian airmen flying operations over Europe and the Pacific, sailors patrolling the waters all around the globe, and soldiers involved in heavy fighting in New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, Australian forces were more heavily committed than at any other time during the conflict. When Japan announced its surrender on August 15, 1945, spontaneous rejoicing broke out with wild scenes of celebration in cities across Australia, the mood of which is captured by the dancing man. By then, nearly a million Australians had served during the Second World War: 39,600 had died, 23,500 had been wounded and more than 28,000 had been taken prisoner.