AUSTRALIANS FOR JAPAN

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24768, 8 January 1946, Page 5

AUSTRALIANS FOR JAPAN

ELEMENTS OF THREE SERVICES

STATEMENT BY CHIFLEY (Rec. 1 a.m.) CANBERRA, Jan. 7. The Prime Minister (Mr Chifley) announced that the Australian forces which will participate in the occupation of Japan comprise elements of each of the three services. He said that subject to shipping being available, it was anticipated that the leading elements of the Australian Army and Air Force units would begin to arrive in Japan about the end of February. The present plan provided that they should be located in the Hiroshima area, including the city of Fukuyama and the port of jKure. The minimum period of service in Japan would be <l2 months in the case of the Army and Air Force. Relief , would be arranged within 18 months from arrival in Japan. Conditions of service as regards pay and allowances would be as at present prescribed for the respective services serving overseas.

Mr Chifley said the Army component would be No. 34 Brigade Group. The R.A.A.F. component would comprise three Mustang fighter squadrons. Units of the Royal Australian Navy would continue to serve in Japanese waters and would remain under the operational control of the Commander-in-Chief, British Pacific Fleet. An interim strength of two cruisers and two destroyers had been approved for this purpose, but this would be subject to review later. At present one cruiser, the Hobart, and one destroyer, the Arunta, were carrying out occupational tasks in Japanese waters. An advance party of Australians is expected to leave Morotai for Japan within a fortnight.