THE AUSTRALIAN FORCES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26045, 8 January 1946, Page 4

THE AUSTRALIAN FORCES

UNITS OF THREE SERVICES (Rec. Ikso p.m.) CANBERRA, Jan. 7. The Prime Minister, Mr J. B. Chifley, announced that the Australian forces which will participate in the occupation of Japan will comprise elements of each of the three services. He said that, subject to shipping being available, it was anticipated that leading elements of the Australian Army and Air Force would commence to arrive in Japan about the end of February. The present plan provided that they would be located in the Hiroshima area, including the city of Fukuyama and the port of Kure. The minimum period of service in Japan would be 12 months in the case of the army. The air force relief would be arranged within 18 months from arrival in Japan. Conditions of service as regards pay and allowances would be as at present prescribed for the respective services serving overseas.

Mr Chifley said the army component would be the No. 34 Brigade group. The R.A.A.F. component would be comprised of three Mustang fighter squadrons. Units of the R.A.N. would continue to serve in Japanese waters and would remain under the operational control of the commander-in-chief, British Pacific Fleet. An interim strength of two cruisers and two destroyers had been approved for this purpose, but this be subject to review later. At present one cruiser, H.M.A.S. Hobart, and one destroyer, H.M.A.S. Arunta, were carrying out occupational tasks in Japanese waters.