World War II surrender in the Pacific & tidbits

[Ken_NJ]

YouTube - Japanese Sign Final Surrender

Top secret interviews with WW2 Japanese navy brass to be published

MaritimeQuest - Japanese Surrender September 2,1945

Interesting story about the flags on the Missouri on the day of surrender - Wikipedia

Must have been an impressive sight to see all of those warships, aircraft and men in Tokyo Bay during the surrender. I cannot find it but I recently read that one of the Japanese representatives said when they boarded the Missouri that they (Japan) were crazy to think that they would win the war after seeing all those warship and men of the world in Tokyo Bay.

Watching 'The Pacific' on HBO and I felt inclined to do this.

[dundonrl]

reading the part about the flags used on the USS Missouri at the surrender.. Commodore Perry's flag is technically flying correct since if it was flying from a yardarm and you were viewing it from the starboard side of the ship, that's the side of the flag you would see.. (the same goes when wearing the flag on a uniform on your right shoulder, it faces "backwards" since it would be that way if you were carrying it flying from a flag pole)

[avon1944]

Re: World War II surrender in the Pacific & tidbits

one of the Japanese representatives said when they boarded the Missouri that they (Japan) were crazy to think that they would win the war after seeing all those warship and men of the world in Tokyo Bay.

The Japanese military leaders did not feel America would pursue the war. That America might fight for six months to a year then pursue peace negotiations. They totally miscalculated, just like Saddam. They had the mistaken belief that America did not have the will for a protracted war.
As for why they started the conflict with America, the USA's oil embargo was crippling Japan and the magic of 12/07/41 was, on that date the nation of Japan had six months oil reserves at their homeland. This gave their military six months to conquer the Allies and start shipping oil back to Japan. If the Allies had known this, they could have set the oil fields on fire!

[bigross86]

Interesting that the Commonwealth nations, New Zealand, Canada and Australia signed for themselves as opposed to the British General signing for them

[Dreadnought]

Interesting that the Commonwealth nations, New Zealand, Canada and Australia signed for themselves as opposed to the British General signing for them

All needed Allies to the cause. A gesture of respect, recognition and thanks no doubt.:)

[RustyBattleship]

Just to be nice to you guys, I figured this would be a good thread to post a copy of Appendix H of my book:


APPENDIX H
A Deck Log of the USS Missouri (BB-63)

When the Missouri was brought down to Long Beach, many items and records were still aboard going back to World War II. Missouri was the only ship of the four Iowa class Battleships not inactivated between the Second World War and the Korean War. After all ships were reactivated in the 1980’s, some old records or old copies of older records of the Missouri were found to be still intact aboard ship. Somehow, Charles Sprenger (a supervisor machinist and apprentice graduate of the first class of apprentices) was given a copy of one of the deck logs detailing the events of one day of the ship’s service in WW II. He gave me that copy, which was a blurry and misaligned copy, and I have done my best to recreate it word for word in this appendix. It may only be of some interest to a few historians but in another way I look at it as representing the contribution Long Beach Naval Shipyard did to have that particular deck log written.





Navpers-134 (Rev 1-44) DECK LOG – REMARKS SHEET

United States Ship MISSOURI Sunday 2 September, 1945

================================================== ========
0400
Anchored in berth F 71, Tokyo Bay, in 10 fathoms of water, mud bottom, with 50 fathoms of Chain to the starboard anchor on the following anchorage bearings: right tangent Port #! 168T, Yokosuka Breakwater Light 325T. Port #2 193T. Boilers #1, #4, #5 and #6 are in use. Condition of readiness III is set. S.O.P.A. is in the U.S.S. SOUTH DAKOTA (BB57). Administrative S.O.P.A. is in the U.S.S. SAN DIEGO (CL53). Various units of the Pacific Fleet and British Fleet are present.

J. H. Hofman, Lt. (jg), U.S.N.

0800
Anchored as before.
0707, U.S.S. TAYLOR (DD468) came alongside to port with Lt. Col. R. Powell and about 170 press agents to attend surrender ceremonies of the Japanese Imperial Forces.

0733 U.S.S. TAYLOR (DD468) cast off. 0750, exercised crew at quarters for scheduled ceremony.

L. Olson, Lt.(jg), U.S.N,

1200
Anchored as before.
0803, U.S.S.BUCHANAN (DD484) came alongside to port with various general officers of the Army and foreign representatives to witness surrender ceremonies.
0805, Fleet Admiral C.W. Nimitz came aboard and his personal flag was broken at the mainmast.
0824, U.S.S. BUCHANAN (DD484) cast off.
0838, U.S.S. NICHOLAS (DD449) came alongside to port with General of the Army Douglas Mac Arthur.
0843, General of the Army Douglas Mac Arthur came aboard and his personal flag was broken at the mainmast alongside of the personal flag of Fleet Admiral C.W. Nimitz.
0848, U.S.S. NICHOLAS (DD449) cast off.
0856, Japanese representatives came aboard.

At 0902, with the following present, the ceremony commenced and the Instrument of Surrender was presented to all parties:

United States
Colonel Q.S. Lander (SCAP Liason)

Republic of China
Gen. Hau Yung-Chang Vice Adm. Yang Hauan Chang
Lt. Gen. Chu Shih Ming Maj. Gen. Wang Chih
Co. Li Sho Chang Col. Wang Pei Cheng

United Kingdom
Admiral Sir Bruce Fraser Capt. A.D. Nicholl
Comdr. R.H. Courage Comdr. (S) A.P. Cartwright
Surgeon Lieut. G.R. Gayman Lt. V.C. Merry

Representing British Pacific Fleet
Vice Adm. Sir H.S. Hawling Commodore J.P.L. Reid
Lt. G.E. Cook Rear Adm. E.J.P. Brind
Lt. H.B. Ashmore

United Soviet Socialist Republic
Lt. Gen. Kuzma Nikolasvish Derevyanko Maj. Gen. Nikolai Vasilevich Voronov
Rear Adm. Andry Mitrofanovich Stetzenko Maj. Ivan Joseph Borovsky
Capt. Nikolai Michallovich Karamishev Lt. Nidolai Nikolaevich Tulinov

Commonwealth of Australia
Gen. Sir Thomas Blamey Lt. Gen. F.H. Berryman
Rear Adm. George D. Moore Air Vice Marshall Jones
Air Vice Marshall Bostick Commodore J.A. Collins
Capt. J. Balfour

Dominion of Canada
Col. L. Moore Cosgrave

Republic of France
Gen. LeClere

Commonwealth of New Zealand
Air Vice Marshall Isitt Lt. J.D. Alfingham

United Kingdom of Netherlands
Adm. Helfrich Lt. Gen. L.H. Van Oyen
Col. C. Giebel Comdr. A.A. Fresco

Japanese Empire
Mr. Mamoru Shigemitsu, Foreign Minister Gen. Yoshijiro Umezo
Ka suo Okazaki Saburo Ohta
Sh nichi Kase L. Gen. Shuichi Miyakazi
Major Gen. Yatsuki Nagai Col. Kaziyi Sugita
Rear Admiral Tadatoshi Tomioka Rear Admiral Ichiro Yokoyama
Captain Katsuo Shiba


Navy
Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz Admiral William F. Halsey, jr.
Admiral Richmond K. Turner Vice Admiral John H. Towers
Vice Admiral John S. McCain Vice Admiral Charles A. Lockwood, jr.
Vice Admiral Theodore S. Wilkinson Vice Admiral Frederick C. Sherman
Lt. General Roy S. Goiger, USMC Rear Admiral John F. Shafroth, jr.
Rear Admiral Donald B. Beary Rear Admiral Oscar C. Badger
Rear Admiral Howard F. Kingman Rear Admiral James C. Jones, jr.
Rear Admiral Wilder D. Baker Rear Admiral Lynde D. Mc Cormick
Rear Admiral Ingram C. Sowell Rear Admiral Lloyd J. Wiltse
Rear Admiral Gerald F. Bogan Rear Admiral Robert B. Carney
Rear Admiral Arthur W. Radford Rear Admiral Donald B. Duncan
Rear Admiral Thomas R. Cooley Rear Admiral Forrest P. Sherman
Rear Admiral Thomas L. Sprague Rear Admiral John J. Ballentine
Rear Admiral C.A.F. Sprague Rear Admiral Carl Holden
Brigadier Gen. Herman C. Feldman, USA Commodore Oliver O. Kessing
Commodore Joel T. Boone (MC) Commodore John P. Womble
Brigadier Gen. Wm. T. Clement, USMC Brigadier Gen. J.H. Fellows, USMC
Commodore Roland N. Smoot Commodore Roger W. Simpson
Commodore John M. Higgins Commodore Joseph C. Cronin
Captain Tom B. Hill Colonel Theodore J. Dayharsh,

USA
Captain Harold B. Krick Captain William D. Anderson
Captain Ralph K. Wilson Captain Edwin J. Layton
Captain John C. Cross Captain Fitzhugh Lee
Captain Marion C. Cheek Captain Herbert L. Hoerner
Captain Arthur M. Taylor Commander M. Ward
Commander Howell A. Lamar Major Roy Owsley, USMCR
Lt. Commander Kaufman Lieutenant Stringer

Army
General of the Army Mac Arthur Maj. Gen. Valdes
Maj. Gen. Kean Maj. Gen. Whitlock
Maj. Gen. Ryan Maj. Gen. Bertrandias
Maj. Gen. Sverdrup Maj. Gen. Wurtsmith
Maj. Gen. Willoughby Brig. Gen. Chambers
Maj. Gen. Byers Lt. Gen. Whitehead
Lt. Gen. Gairdner Maj. Gen. Swing
Maj. Gen. Marshall Maj. Gen. Chamberlin
Maj. Gen. Frink Maj. Gen.Akin
Maj. Gen. Stivers Maj. Gen. Marquet
Maj. Gen. Casey General Krueger
General Stilwell General Spaatz
General Hodges General Eichelberger
General Kenney Lt. Gen. Sutherland
Lt. Gen. Richardson Lt. Gen. Giles
Lt. Gen. Styer Lt. Gen. Percival
Lt. Gen. Wainwright

and various other general officers.

0904, Mamoru Shigemitsu, Japanese Foreign Minister signed for Japan.
0906. General Yoshijiro Umezo, Chief of Staff, Japanese Army Headquarter, signed for Japan.
0908, General of the Army Douglas Mac Arthur, the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers, signed for all nations.
0912, Fleet Admiral C.W. Nimitz signed for the United States.
0913, Gneral Hsu Yung-Chang signed for China.
0914, Admiral Sir Bruce Fraser signed for the United Kingdom.
0916, Lt. General Kuzma Nikolasvish Derevyanko signed for the United Soviet Socialist Republic.
0917, General Sir Thomas Blamey signed for Australia.
0918, Colonel L. Moore Cosgrave signed for Canada.
0920, General LeClere signed for France.
0921, Admiral Helfrich signed for the Netherlands.
0922, Air Vice Marshall Isitt signed for New Zealand.
0925, ceremony completed.

0926, U.S.S. TAYLOR (DD468) came alongside to port to embark correspondents and photographers.

0929 Japanese representatives left the ship.

0940, U.S.S. TAYLOR (DD468) cast off.

0945 U.S.S. NICHOLAS (DD449) came alongside to port to embark General of the Army Douglas Mac Arthur.

0958, General of the Army Douglas Mac Arthur left the ship and his personal flag was hauled down.

1003, U.S.S. NICHOLAS (DD449) cast off.

1005, U.S.S. BUCHANAN (DD584) came alongside to port to embark allied representatives.

1027, U.S.S. BUCHANAN (DD584) cast off.

1044, Fleet Admiral C.W. Nimitz left the ship.

1052, secured the crew from quarters.

1059, CinCPac’s flag was broken in the U.S.S. SOUTH DAKOTA (BB57). Hauled down CincPac’s flag; broke flag of Commander of Third Fleet.

J.L. Starnes, Jr., Lt.Comdr., U.S.N.R.
APPROVED: EXAMINED:


S.S. MURRAY, Captain U.S.N. COMMANDING H.B. Lyon, Commander, U.S.N.




The rest of the deck log for that day recorded only normal ship’s routine and is really of no historical interest. But again I must say that along with the efforts of the overall defense structure of America, the efforts of Naval Dry Docks Terminal Island (Long Beach Naval Shipyard), Naval Base Long Beach (Roosevelt Base) and Naval Air Station Terminal Island (Reeves Field) contributed much to that very special day recorded in the deck log of the USS MISSOURI (BB-63).

[ATF83]

Rusty,

Thanks for that info. That is very interesting that the Japanese were only on board for about half a hour.

Speaking of battleships...my wife and I leave tomorrow for our 2nd anniversary trip: Battleship Cove, Fall River MA...Romantic, I know

[StevoJH]

Why so many US Flag Officers?

Especially compared to the other nations.

[Dreadnought]

Little known fact about their anchoring needs. When at anchor outside of port her screws would be turning slowly to help ease the burden on the anchors. On a war footing she displaced almost as much as 60,000 tons her anchors weighed a fraction of that at appox 15 tons each.

Excellent research Rusty.:)

[Dreadnought]

Rusty,

Thanks for that info. That is very interesting that the Japanese were only on board for about half a hour.

Speaking of battleships...my wife and I leave tomorrow for our 2nd anniversary trip: Battleship Cove, Fall River MA...Romantic, I know

*Dont just visit BB59, Visit the heavy cruiser Salem while your there. Shes most impressive.;)

How did you ever talk the wife into that trip for an Anniversary?:))

[Dreadnought]

Why so many US Flag Officers?

Especially compared to the other nations.

*Probably due to the fact the majority were South Pacific command, the size of the USN fleets and the Marines,Army that had to take the islands by foot. All were relieved that day came no doubt, so more then likely all wanted to be present to see the finaly of 5 years of war and hardship.

[StevoJH]

*Probably due to the fact the majority were South Pacific command, the size of the USN fleets and the Marines,Army that had to take the islands by foot. All were relieved that day came no doubt, so more then likely all wanted to be present to see the finaly of 5 years of war and hardship.

And there were how many British and Indian Divisions in South East Asia? How many Australian Divisions and Brigades in the Pacific?

America was not alone in Fighting Japan.

[bigross86]

No one said America was alone, but if you ask most people, World War II and the Pacific is mainly associated with the Marines, and to Naval and Carrier battles. I'll bet if you asked most Americans off the street they wouldn't even know what or where Darwin is, let alone that it was bombed by the Japanese.

[StevoJH]

No one said America was alone, but if you ask most people, World War II and the Pacific is mainly associated with the Marines, and to Naval and Carrier battles. I'll bet if you asked most Americans off the street they wouldn't even know what or where Darwin is, let alone that it was bombed by the Japanese.

The British Fourteenth Army was the largest Army in the world by 1945. Plus it and the 11th Army group had to deal with Stilwell, who was apparrently a pain in the arse.

I havent even started on New Guinea yet and Mac Arthur yet....

[bigross86]

Again, I'm agreeing with you, but in most of the world's consciousness, WWII in the Pacific was the Marines. It seems too, that in history the Marine invasions have garnered a lot more "popularity" than other facets of WWII. Same thing in Europe with Gen. Patton and the 8th Air Force. They seem to get more recognition for doing the same thing everyone else did, though in their own way.