GAMBIA FIRST ASHORE

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 62, 11 September 1945, Page 7

GAMBIA FIRST ASHORE

BRITISH LANDING

TOKIO, September 10. "The first members of a British landing force to step ashore on the Japanese mainland were B Company, which, with the exception of one platoon from the battleship King George V, is manned and officered by the New Zealand personnel from the cruiser Gambia and is under the command of Lieut.-Commander DavisGoff, R.N.Z.N.," writes G. W. McConnell, Schoolmaster, R.N.Z.N., with B Company.

"Though the New Zealanders were prepared to meet any contingency, they experienced no opposition after they landed.

"B Company is part of a British force which is now occupying the Yokosuka naval base. The "Japanese who had been left behind at the base were obviously badly scared, and nothing more than a display of arms was necessary to exact immediate compliance with any orders. Though the base was in a filthy condition, the company turned to with a will, and within 24 hours, by dint of judicious requisitioning, and with the New Zeala'hders' usual facility to 'make do,' fires were soon started, the quarters cleaned out, polluted water chlorinated, and the whole detachment made as comfortable as the mosquitos and. rations would allow.

"Within a few days of the initial landing B Company was well established and carrying out routine duties, while the New Zealand Ensign flew proudly over their headquarters. "The men of B Company are proud of the fact that they were the first ashore, and, conscious that they indeed made history, they have earned the distinction of being the smartest company ashore. The New Zealanders at home, too, should be proud to know that they have been as well represented at the conclusion of the war as they, weres at its beginning."