“THIS IS IT”

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23278, 14 August 1945, Page 6

“THIS IS IT”

Bougainville Rejoices Official R.N.Z.A.F News Service BOUGAINVILLE. Aug. 11. Scenes unprecedented in this island's history were enacted last night and early "this morning when thousands of United States, Australian and New Zealand servicemen at Torokina chose not to wait for the Big Powers to reply to the Japanese surrender offer but unhesitatingly decided, “this is it." News of the Tokio offer, which was received here just before midnight, spread quickly, and camps which had gone to sleep were galvanised into life, and celebrations were under way before many realised what was happening. The celebrations were as colourful as possible, and except at the front, where the battle went on as usual. Bougainville went mad with rejoicing. Guns opened up from shore batteries and other positions, and rockets, verey lights and parachute flares traced lurid patterns across the tropical sky. Bonfires in several camps attracted cheering crowds, and the skirl of many pipes was heard over a large area. Ships anchored off Cape Torokina started sirens and bells, and klaxons from the fleets of jeeps, trucks and command cars added to the commotion. Hundreds of R.N.Z.A.F. personnel left their beds to enter into the celebrations with unreserved spontaneous gaiety. Officers and men. some dressed and some pyjama-clad, whole-heartedly entered into the singing of traditional patriotic songs. In the main mess oi one New Zealand camo, the singing continued into the small hours. The Bougainville peace celebration anticipated the armistice announcement, and no subsequent official observance could equal its sincerity or spontaneit \\