Allied Occupation

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 199, 23 August 1945, Page 5

Allied Occupation

MacARTHUR TO SIGN PEACE ON AUGUST 31

N.Z.P.A.—Copyright— Rec. 12.30 p.m.

| * * . , MANILA, August 22. document woulcT o^ 4 * Ur ® nnou " cet * that the Japanese surrender Ei^ S, ? e , d °n A ugust 31 afeoard the American Tuesday ? Sy ' He wiU land in next base on thp X marine forces will land at Yokosuka naval aerodrome o„ Sunday: a " bome forces '»" d <" Atsugi GeneS'*° *t£f „U„ DC a uirecnves by b p.m. to-morrow. All Japanese jinanesT of i Air ound until Allies notify the °i t f he ? dispositions. All Japanese merchantmen in Japanese waters must be maintained without damage and must undertake no movement. Vessels at sea must immediately throw overboard all explosives. Coasters under 100 tons engaged in civilian supply work will be exempt from the no movement order. All Japanese ships away from Japanese waters must report their positions immediately to the nearest American, British or Soviet radio station and then proceed to the nearest Allied port, or one specified by the Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet. Japanese or Japanese-controlled submarines everywhere will remain surfaced, flying a black pennant and showing lights. Submarines must proceed under instructions to designated ports in the Pacific Islands or the Philippines.

The safety and wellbeing of all United Nations war prisoners and internees must be scrupulously observed and they must be adequately provided with food, shelter, clothing and medical care until General Mac Arthur takes charge. Local delivery of American supplies dropped from the air must be assured.

General Mac Arthur directed the removal of all mines, minefields and other obstacles to make safe movement by land, sea and air into Tokyo Bay by 6 p.m. on Saturday. All navigational aids must be re-established and maintained. Piloting service and also the duties of naval and other personnel concerned in the operation of ports must continue.

Breech blocks must be removed from all coastal defence and anti-aircraft guns and artillery within the Tokyo area. All crari: of whatever type in Tokyo Bay area and the approaches must be disarmed and immobilised. All weapons in the area of the initial evacuations must be rendered inoperable.

The greatest fleet of four-engined Skymaster transport planes assembled on one field was spread over two square miles of the Kadena aerodrome, Okinawa, as the Army Transport Command has concentrated airliners from all over the world for an unannounced mission—presumably carrying the Allied occupation troops to Japan. Scores of the big silver aircraft are parked double in stands along the service aprons and runways, where LieutenantGeneral James H. Doolittle's Super Fortresses were to be based for aerial offensive operations.

Each incoming plane brought not only its own five-man crew, but another crew and a half as spares, also five ground force personnel. There was a sudden concentration of 2600 flyers, 1000 mechanics and 150 or more administrative men to be fed, sheltered and supplied. All Air Transport Command planes are returning to their proper stations and resuming the world services as soon as the mission is completed.