SIGNS OF SURRENDER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 198, 22 August 1945, Page 5

SIGNS OF SURRENDER

JAPS IN NEW BRITAIN AND

NEW IKtL/.ND

R.N.Z.A.F. Official War Correspondent Bougainville, Aug. 21

That the Japanese in New Britain and New Ireland are beginning to celebrate peace can reasonably be assumed from reports ot R.N.Z.A.F. reconnaissance aircraft from Pacquinot Bay. The town of Rabaul, over which New Zealand and American flyers have fought the fiercest air battles for nearly two years, has become a hive of activity. The main street is crowded with vehicles and the Japs waved to aircraft overhead. Many Japs were swimming unconcernedly. Simpson Harbour, at the top of which Rabaul stands, contained many barges and there are many more at Heravat and Tawgui Point.

Other evidence that the Japs definitely have decided to end resistance ‘were many large and small fires in Jap-occupied New Britain, camouflage removed’from some gunpit?, and many [troops and vehicles on the roads. No hostile action was apparent, anywhere and no sign of b alarm on the approach ;of aircraft, and no one took cover. I Two R.N.Z.A.F. Venturas, from Jacquinot Bay, escorted four Corsairs land dropped surrender leaflets on Gazelle Peninsula which is occupied by | the Japs in New Britain. In New Ireland. a Ventura patrol reported a . prominent white square on the edge of 1 Borpop. but it later was removed. A I white object also was seen at Namatanai, on the East Coast of New Irejland. Laden trucks were seen travel- | liner towards Kavitng and empty veihie'es returning south. There was no i effort at conceilmont. It is estimated l there are 55.000 in New Britain and 9500 in New Ireland.