Here are two photographs published by the U.S. Navy photography unit, headed by Edward Steichen, to document the end of World War II.
Top. Allied prisoners of war cheering their rescuers, as the U.S. Navy arrives at the Aomori prison camp, near Yokohama, Japan, on 29 August 1945. They are waving the flags of the United States, Great Britain and The Netherlands. Gelatin silver print. Graphic Arts GA 2010.02142. Gift of Moses Bigelow.
Princeton owns a print of this Official U.S. Navy photograph. The original negative is now in the collections of the National Archives.Photo #: 80-G-490444. Department of the Navy, Naval History Center. 901 M Street SE, Washington Navy Yard, Washington D.C. 20374-5060. For more, see http://www.history.navy.mil/branches/org11-2.htm
Bottom. Japanese Prisoners of War on Guam stand with heads bowed after listening to Emperor Hirohito announce Japan’s acceptance of Allied surrender terms, 15 August 1945. Gelatin silver print. Graphic Arts GA 2010.02141. Gift of Moses Bigelow.
Princeton owns a print of this Official U.S. Navy photograph. The original negative is now in the collections of the National Archives.Photo #: 80-G-490320. Department of the Navy, Naval History Center. 901 M Street SE, Washington Navy Yard, Washington D.C. 20374-5060.
No doubt our men are rejoicing in this photo because of the end of the war.
It is reverent how the japanese still bow their heads during the announcement.