2 Sept 1945
Formal Japanese surrender ceremony aboard USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay; U.S. President Harry S. Truman declares VJ Day. The war had officially begun in Europe on September 1, 1939. Six years and one day later, it is over.
Families across the United States were now breathing easier for the first time in years. Even though we did not enter the war until the end of 1941, these nearly four years had caused changes and upheavals that would change the face of the country in ways unanticipated. That was still in the future. Now it was time for rejoicing and welcoming the troops home.
Across Europe- and most of the rest of the world- this was not the case. Europe was devastated. Cities were destroyed. More lives were lost than we can even begin to wrap our minds around. Here is a chart of these losses, civilian and military:
Countries
|
Total Deaths
|
% of Prewar Population
|
Military Deaths
|
Civilian Deaths
|
USSR
|
20,600,000
|
10.4%
|
13,600,000
|
7,000,000
|
CHINA
|
10,000,000
|
2.0%
| ||
GERMANY
|
6,850,000
|
9.5%
|
3,250,000
|
3,600,000
|
POLAND
|
6,123,000
|
17.2%
|
123,000
|
6,000,000
|
JAPAN
|
2,000,000
|
2.7%
| ||
YUGOSLAVIA
|
1,706,000
|
10.9%
| ||
FRANCE
|
810,000
|
1.9%
|
340,000
|
470,000
|
GREECE
|
520,000
|
7.2%
| ||
UNITED STATES
|
500,000
|
0.4%
|
500,000
| |
AUSTRIA
|
480,000
|
7.2%
| ||
ROMANIA
|
460,000
|
3.4%
| ||
HUNGARY
|
420,000
|
3.0%
| ||
ITALY
|
410,000
|
0.9%
|
330,000
|
80,000
|
CZECHOSLOVAKIA
|
400,000
|
2.7%
| ||
GREAT BRITAIN
|
388,000
|
0.8%
|
326,000
|
62,000
|
NETHERLANDS
|
210,000
|
2.4%
|
198,000
|
12,000
|
BELGIUM
|
88,000
|
1.1%
|
76,000
|
12,000
|
FINLAND
|
84,000
|
2.2%
| ||
AUSTRALIA
|
39,000
|
0.3%
| ||
CANADA
|
34,000
|
0.3%
| ||
ALBANIA
|
28,000
|
2.5%
| ||
INDIA
|
24,000
|
0.01%
| ||
NORWAY
|
10,262
|
0.3%
| ||
NEW ZEALAND
|
10,000
|
0.6%
| ||
LUXEMBOURG
|
5,000
|
1.7%
| ||
TOTAL
|
52,199,262
|
Staggering numbers.We were impacted as a nation, of course. But look at the incredible devastation of other nations and the extent of a truly World War becomes apparent.
Poland lost 17.2% of its population, with 48 times more civilian deaths than military. Germany, too, lost more civilians than military personnel, 9.5% of its population. Then there is Russia. They lost more than 1/3 of their population with 13.6 million military and 7 million civilians lost.
Altogether the war took nearly 52.2 million deaths.
And the World War II Museum says this number is probably under-estimated. There may have been as many as 15 million battle deaths and 45 million civilians. Add at least another 25 million wounded and you have 85 million casualties. China may have lost as many as 50 million civilians. (Link)
These numbers are so outrageous that we cannot begin to put it into any context that means anything. Our minds cannot grasp such extremes. At least mine can't. No comparisons can be made that sink in. The deaths of World War II would be 7 New York Cities or 520 of Rochester, MN. Still not able to grasp it.
So I must leave it sit there. The carnage and destruction was catastrophic for a large part of the world.
But as a result it may also, after all was said and done, spurred one of the greatest humanitarian acts in world history. After the war, the United States, leading the Allies, did not punish the losers. It did not add insult to injury and hatred to misery. Instead we rebuilt western Europe and Japan through aid and personal support. The vanquished were allowed to regain their humanity. In Eastern Europe, where the Soviet dictatorship had iron-fisted control, that did not happen. Many of those countries have had 70 years of struggle. Our "Greatest Generation" was more than just a great fighting force- it was compassionate after winning. It may have been spurred by the desire to stand against the Soviets, but it was done in a caring and ultimately compassionate manner.
That may be the greatest gift they passed on.
