ATSUGI AERODROME

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 29 August 1945, Page 5

ATSUGI AERODROME

j RECEPTION OF AMERICANS EVERYTHING WELL ORGANISED j (Roc 11.30 a.m.) New York, Aug. 28 Japanese generals, resplendent in | lu!l-dress beribboned uniforms and clanking samurai swords. greeted ; American officers in work clothes at Atsugi aerodrome, reports the Associated Press of America correspondent. An American officer said: “When we first landed the Japanese had a little i .ruck witn the sign: "Follow me, 1 but ! w e 'went in the other direction towards ! our own people. The Japanese cerminiy ha 1 everything organised, just r-ke 3 lawn party. Lieut.-Generai Eizo i Aris,’v e . member of the General Staff, j was chairman of the liaison committee. jA Russian. Commodore Anatoiyi Rodi- | onovo, who had been interned, arrived jat tie airfield in full dress uniform. I Wei were taken on a tour of the facilities One Japanese officer appeared ! concerned about the social status after ! occupation and asked if the Americans" i and Japanese would be allowed to ! intermingle and get to know each [ other I America i officers discussed business in silk pavilions sitting in easy chairs belore tables spread with white linen. The Americans were surprised at the peculiar party atmosphere which the Japanese tried unsuccessfully to create T ; 'e Associated Press of America correspondent on Okinawa says airmen returning from Atsugi reported that clouds of American fighters hovered over the airfield where the Japanese were numerous and very businesslike, but n< t very sociable. They were extremely curious about the giant C 54 transports, which they inspected closely Americans noticed many dummy planes around the airfield They were surprised at the lack of damage at the field and found power lines and a railway working in the aerodrome area, which was surrounded by hangars some underground, largely lnta.-t.