OCCUPATION OF JAPAN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 31 August 1945, Page 5

OCCUPATION OF JAPAN

LANDING OF AIRBORNE TROOPS

COVERED BY GUNS OF MIGHTY FLEET (Rec. 9.30 am.) New York, August 30. The occupation of Japan became a reality to-day with the landings of spearhead units of airborne troops on Atsugi airfield, 18 miles south-west of Tokio, and marines on the shores of Tokio Bay. Among the hundreds of giant transports bringing 7500 troops was the silver plane “Bataan’ bearing General MacArthur, Allied Supreme Commander. His plane awaited the completion of the vanguard landings. As he stepped from his plane on to the soil of Japan, looked at a surging crowd of officers and men who had worked and fought with him during the long, hard years since Pearl Harbour, he said dryly: “Well, we got here, didn’t we!”

Simultaneously the Fourth Marine Regiment equipped with tanks and augmented by 1800 marines from the Third Fleet and 400 British marines went ashore in landing-craft at Yokosuka naval base, in Tokio Bay. Overhead hundreds of planes provided tigh f air cover.

The landings were covered by the big guns of the Third Fleet and British warships. There was alertness everywhere for possible attacks by die-hard Japanese airmen but none was reported. There were plans for a rapid push into Tokio to-day. Battle-tested Eleventh Airborne Division paratroopers landed in planes hour after hour. At least two days will be required to land the whole division. Paratroopers established a perimeter at the airfield.

The first expansion move will be to effect a junction with marines moving to the north-west from Yokosuka. Amohibious troops made the first of their timetable landings at Caoe Futtsu, across the narrow channel from Yokosuka, to ensure that the Japanese had breeched the big coastal defence guns which were a potential danger to British and American ships in Tokio Bay. Rear-Admiral Badger s flagship San Diego later docked at Yokosuka, thus being the first Allied warship to berth in JapanThe mighty array of British and American warships spent a r»»nce*nl "ight in Tokio Bay with full lights showing. Admiral Nimi*-N flagship South Dakota even showed movies on deck. Much of Yokosuka appeared intact,’ but there are still evidence of recent carrier attacks.

British marines and sailors landed on two small islands near Yokosuka simultaneously with the American landings at Futtsu. Their »a*k also was to see that all guns were breeched. Admiral Halsey’s Chief of Staff. Rear-Admiral Carney, accepted the surrender of Yokosuka base in a formal 10-minute ceremony at noon.

Thirty minutes af'er the initial landings at Futtsu. the Americans occupied three Japanese forts. Marines with sledgehammers quickly knocked out more than 30 anti-aircraft guns and seized several hundred rifles and ma-chine-guns including several of American manufacture apparently captured early in the war. The Futtsu garrison has been removed except two officers and one interpreter. MACARTHUR LANDS General MacArthur landed at Atsugi at 2 p.m. He was accompanied by Lieut.-Generals Eichelberger and Sutherland. Japanese and American photographers recorded the event. General MacArthur brought new initructions for the Japanese, also an alternate set of plans for use if necessary. but he said everything seemed to be going splendidly. General Spaatz ai rived in another plane with members of his staff. General Kenney and Lieut.General Whitehead. Commander of the Fifth Air Force. “Well, we got here, didn’t we!” said General MacArthur as the landed. "The Japanese appear to be acting in good faith and the occupation is proceeding in an orderly fashion without bloodshed. From Melbourne to Tokio has been a long hard road, but this looks like the pay-off.” He pointed out that only a short time ago there were 300.000 Japanese troops in the area where occupation forces were going in. They had been withdrawn without incident. As General MacArthur made a triumphal entry it disclosed that other airborne forces left Atsugi in Japanese trucks and entered Yokohama. The movement was not opposed and was smoothly executed. Japanese officers en route saluted smartly. The Americans found Yokohama reduced to a shantytown, many Japanese living in shacks consisting of scrap. Others were in caves and many cooked over open fires. However, some modern buildings which are intact have been cleaned by the Japanese for AmeAccording to the Domei news agency 1200 Allied troops began occupation landings at Yokohama at 11 a.m. to day It is also reported that General MacArthur left for Yokohama where Allied headquarters are situated. “THIS IS A PLEASURE” Admiral Nimitz, watching marines wade ashore at Yokosuka w ith levelled guns, said: “This is a pleasure.” The marines were entering the tunnclled and vaulted Fort Okahodai and found that the Japanese had laid out their weapons in neat rows unlike the Germans, who destroyed much equipment at thu last moment, rather than yield it. Admirals Nimitz and Halsey have s-one ashore at the Yokosuka naval base. Admiral Nimitz told correspondents: “Don’t forget what the surface ships, submarines and carrier planes of the Brilish Pacific Fleet have done.” The American battleship Missouri out m Tokio Bay will fly, when the surre" <l ? r J s on Sunday, the flag " , h Commodore Perry, of the United States Navy, flew on his ship when he opened trade with Japan 92 years ago. NOT LIKE CONQUERORS '•The Americans landing on 28th Auguf did not reveal the haughty attitude of conqueror." said Domei news agency in a broadcast. “They hardly spoke of victory, but responded with bashful beaming smiles. They may not represent the general American feeling towards Japan, but it merits special consideration from our Government and people. The Japanese say fifteen armed divisions are still in the Tokio area. Ihc Japanese were co operative at Atsugi but the Americans are still restricted to the airfield. They were given the morning edition of the English language ’Nippon Times’ printecJ in Tokio. also hundreds of trucks, even if they have nowhere to go ’ Tokio radio said: “A Super-Fortress crashed near Tegamura. We are givir- the single survivor evety possible medical treatment.”