FLEET LEARNS OF SURRENDER

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23280, 16 August 1945, Page 5

FLEET LEARNS OF SURRENDER

Pilots Poised For Lethal Blow By Telegraph—N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright (7.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Aug. 14. The end of the war reached America’s Pacific Fleet in almost Hollywood fashion. An American broadcasting company correspondent radioed from the flagship: “Hundreds of carrier planes were only a few seconds from targets in the Tokio area ready to carry out their first lethal strike when the word of Japan's surrender came. They heard Admiral Halsey’s words: ‘lt looks like the war is over. Cease firing, but if you see any enemy planes, in the . air shoot ’em down in friendly fashion.’ “The pilots were rightfully enough the only ones to indulge in a noisy celebration. They jettisoned their bombs into the sea on the way back to the fiat-tops.” Japanese aircraft are approaching the Pacific Fleet off Tokio and are being shot down. Admiral Nimitz said that units of the United States Third Fleet in the vicinity of Honshu are being approached by Japanese aircraft. Those that do so are being shot down by our forces. Five Japanese aircraft have been destroyed since noon, Japanese time. The Supreme Allied Commander. General MacArthur, has been requested to inform the Japanese authorities that our own measures for defence require our naval forces to destroy any Japanese aircraft approaching our positions. Admiral W. F. Halsey said: “Now the fighting is ended there must be no letdown. There must be watchful Waiting. Victory is not the end but the beginning. We must establish peace, a firm, just and enduring peace.” Admiral Nimitz flashed “cease fire” orders almost simultaneously with President Truman’s announcement and issued a brief communique to that effect two hours later.