the war generation; those who grew up during WWII in Japan
Refers to the generation that experienced World War II during their formative years in Japan. Often contrasted with 戦前派 (pre-war generation) and 戦後派 (post-war generation).
My grandfather, who is of the war generation, often told me about the hardships during the war.
The war generation and the post-war generation sometimes have very different values.
Refers to the generation that grew up after WWII, in contrast to 戦中派 who experienced the war in their youth.
Compound of 戦中 (senchū, 'during the war') and 派 (ha, 'faction' or 'group'). The term emerged in post-war Japan to categorize generations by their relationship to World War II.