FIRST IN PACIFIC

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 147, 23 June 1945, Page 7

FIRST IN PACIFIC

JAP MASS SURRENDER

COLLAPSE ON OKINAWA

Hec. 12.45 p.m. NEW YORK, June 22. A number of Japanese officers and. 1000 men surrendered in southern Okinawa today in the first mass capitulation by the enemy of the Pacific <war, says the United Press corres* pondent on Okinawa. Long lines of Japanese waving wliite flags streamed up the rocky Mabuni Ridge from caves and fortifications in an all-day procession

The "Stars and Stripes" were formally raised over Okinawa today. Lieu-tenant-General Geiger, after paying a tribute to General Buckner, said: "I cannot say too much for the naval gunfire, and also the close support by air power in covering us and dropping food and materials."

A Japanese who was taken "prisoner yesterday, when asked why he surrendered, replied: "The Americans' overwhelming equipment, and fighting spirit are such that any Japanese who thinks Japan has a chance in this war is just a damned fool." Those Japanese who are surrendering no longer believe the carefullyplanted tales of American atrocities. The men obviously believed that as prisoners they would be safe for the first time in 82 days of hellish fighting. SPREAD WORD BACK. The Japanese grinned, borrowed cigarettes, and took minor liberties with the guards. Some helped the Yanks to spread the word back to the. resisting Japanese that they were being treated well. | Japanese propaganda unfortunately accomplished part of its purpose among the civilians. One native woman decapitated two children on the approach of the Americans. She was told they would be tortured. She became hysterical with grief when she learned from other Okinawans of the excellent treatment they had received.