JAPANESE SURRENDER AT TOKYO BAY, 2nd SEPTEMBER 1945

Discussion in 'War Against Japan' started by CL1, Sep 2, 2021.

  1. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    JAPANESE SURRENDER AT TOKYO BAY, 2 SEPTEMBER 1945

    MacArthur, along with Nimitz and Admiral William F. “Bull” Halsey, Jr., received the Japanese delegation behind a table lain with documents. The Americans were then joined by Wainwright and Percival. After a prayer and playing of the “Star-Spangled Banner,” MacArthur gave a short speech, saying, “It is my earnest hope, and indeed the hope of all mankind, that from this solemn occasion a better world shall emerge out of the blood and carnage of the past, a world founded upon faith and understanding, a world dedicated to the dignity of man and the fulfillment of his most cherished wish for freedom, tolerance and justice.”
    The Japanese then stepped forward to sign the surrender documents, after which MacArthur, accompanied by Wainwright and Percival, sat down to affix his own signature, using five pens. Two of the pens he gave to Wainwright and Percival, and he reserved two more for the US Naval Academy and the US Military Academy, keeping the last for himself. Signatures then followed from representatives of the Soviet Union, China, Great Britain, France, Australia, and other Allied nations. As the ceremony ended after 23 minutes, a formation of B-29 Superfortresses that had brought destruction to Japan, along with carrier planes, swooped overhead.

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    Full Circle: The Japanese Surrender in Tokyo Bay, September 2, 1945 | The National WWII Museum | New Orleans
     
    Dave55, Recce_Mitch, Temujin and 3 others like this.
  2. Temujin

    Temujin Member

  3. Temujin

    Temujin Member

  4. General MacArthur out ranked Admiral Nimitz by two days.
     
  5. Dave55

    Dave55 Atlanta, USA

    Right. Nimitz had the same date of rank as Ike. Marshall was two days senior to MacArthur.
    I kind of wish Eisenhower had become President a couple of months earlier so that he could have finally ranked over Mac in Korea.
    But since 5 Star officers never retire I guess he technically commanded him from 53-61.
     
    CL1 likes this.
  6. Dave55

    Dave55 Atlanta, USA

    No Fleet Carriers. I guess they kept them back to guard against possible Japanese treachery?
     
    CL1 likes this.
  7. Ewen Scott

    Ewen Scott Well-Known Member

    The 4 US Task Groups of TF38 remianed offshore throughout this period along with part of the BPF under he designation TG38.5 formed around Indefatigable. Those groups contained 11 fleet carriers and 6 light fleet carriers. Two of the latter were detached and were present in Tokyo Bay (Bataan & Cowpens) along with some of the battleship, cruisers and supporting destroyers.

    Escorting the carriers offshore on 2 Sept were a further 4 battleships and 10 cruisers plus supporting destroyers. Indefatigable retained a couple of destroyers for escort. They put on a flypast to close the proceedings to make a point to the Japanese.
     

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