ADVANCE PARTY OF BIG OCCUPATION FORCE

Southland Times, Issue 25763, 29 August 1945, Page 5

ADVANCE PARTY OF BIG OCCUPATION FORCE

NAVAL FLOTILLA ENTERS TOKYO BAY (United Press Association-Telegraph Copyright) (Rec. 11p.m.) NEW YORK, August 28. The first American occupation troops, comprising 150 technical specialists, landed at Atsugi aerodrome (Tokyo) at 9 a.m. today, reports the Manila correspondent of the Associated Press. Forty-eight planes comprised the landing forces. The advance party immediately began arranging for American signals, also the landing procedures and preparations for the air armada due on Thursday. The advance party brought in special equipment to provide immediate contact with the Okinawa staging area. The technicians also began making Atsugi airfield suitable for the reception of large American planes. The field is at present barely large enough for the purpose. Three planes carried parts of a radio station.

The Manila correspondent of The New York Herald Tribune says that the complete occupation of Japan will take at least two months. A special American task force of 10 ships steamed into Tokyo Bay this morning, says the correspondent of the Associated Press with the 3rd Fleet. They passed through the two miles and a-half-wide Uraga Channel, lined with silent coastal guns. The advance flotilla, including Rear-Admiral Badger’s flagship cruiser San Diego, several destroyers and one troopship carrying Marines, moved from Sagami Bay into Tokyo Bay. The Marines will land on three small islands at the mouth of Tokyo Bay. Everyone was alert against the possibility of mines, either Japanese, or American dropped by Superfortresses. Although mine-sweepers spent hours dragging the harbour, the ships altered course a few times, presumably in order to avoid danger zones. Carrier planes roared overhead. There was no incident during the entry, but minesweepers are reported to have picked up one mine.