Last Troops Leave Japan

Northern Advocate, 27 November 1948, Page 7

Last Troops Leave Japan

TGKIC, Fri.—The last detachment of the 10,000 New Zealanders who have served in the occupation forces in Japan left Kure yesterday. During the period of two and a half years. New Zealand forces comprising army and air force units have taken part in general occupational duties which have included the disarming of the Japanese forces and enforcing the surrender terms. Originally made up of late reinforcements from Italy, the brigade groupreached Japan in March, 1946, and took up duties in Hiroshima, Shimani and Yamaguchi prefectures. In the early stages of the occupation there were difficulties of accommodation, entertainment and food, but the troops did a praiseworthy job in spite of difficulties. With the arrival of the first relief draft of volunteers in May and July, 1946. the bulk of the expeditionary force men were relieved of their duties, and the strength of the force remain- 1 cd at 4200. FLAG LOWERED This number was reduced in May. 1947 to 2400. The flag was lowered for the last time in the New Zealand area on Monday. No 14 Fighter Squadron of the RNZAF which also served in Japan from March, 1946, as part of the British Comonwealth Occupation Forces carried out extensive patrol duties over the area. Its withdrawal was announced by the Minister of Finance (Mr Nash) in August and the men will arrive in Wellington on the Westralia on December 13. After leave the squadron will go to Ohakea and reform as a fighterbomber squadron on Mosquitoes.