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9. While the signal was still flying, Spitfires were overhead engaging a Japanese aircraft. The latter dropped a bomb which fell in the sea between H.M.S. " Indefatigable " and H.M.N.Z.S. " Gambia." The enemy aircraft was shot down by the Spitfires, a part of it falling on board " Gambia." No further enemy air attacks were made, but several " snoopers " were shot down by patrolling aircraft out of sight •of the Fleet, which retired to await events. 10. In the forenoon of 20th August a Royal Marine detachment under the command of Captain Blake, R.M., and two platoons of seamen with company headquarters under the command of Lieutenant-Commander Davis-Goff, R.N.Z.N., were disembarked from H.M.N.Z.S. " Gambia " into two United States destroyer transports in readiness to land in Tokyo Bay. They were reported to be the first ashore on Japanese soil. 11. On 23rd August the Fleet formed into Task Groups for entry into Sugami Wan. "" Gambia," in company with H.M. ships " King George V," " Newfoundland," " Napier," and " Nizam," formed Task Group 37. It was, however, not until 27th August that the ships entered Sugami Wan. Hands went to general quarters ready for any treacherous move on the part of the Japanese, and battle ensigns were flown, but the entry was without incident. Subsequently, the Commander-in-Chief, British Pacific Fleet, Admiral ■Sir Bruce Fraser, G.C.8., K.8.E., paid an informal visit to H.M.N.Z.S. " Gambia " and addressed the ship's company. 12. " Gambia " was in Tokyo Bay during the signing of the instrument of surrender, and remained there until 12th September, when she proceeded to Kii Suido, where she was employed until 19th assisting United States Forces with the embarkation of recovered Allied military personnel. While here a very severe typhoon was experienced. 13. On 11th October " Gambia " departed from Tokyo Bay for Manus and onward Touteing for Sydney and Auckland, where she arrived on 31st October. 14. On Bth February, 1946, " Gambia" reduced to one-fifth complement and Tecommissioned with steaming party. From this date she ceased to be attached to the British Pacific Fleet. 15. On 12th February " Gambia " departed from Auckland for Sydney and the United Kingdom for reversion to the Royal Navy. H.M.N.Z.S. " Achilles " 16. " Achilles " was in Sydney in April, 1945, carrying out gun trials and minor •exercises, and on 12th May proceeded to Manus to join Task Force 57, arriving on 20th May at Leyte, where she came under the orders of Rear-Admiral, Fleet Train, flying his flag in H.M.S. " Lothian." 17. On 24th May, and again on 25th, in company with the Fleet (Task Force 57) four strikes were made against Sakashima Gunto. There was no enemy action. 18. Later, " Achilles " formed part of Task Group 111.2 under the command of Rear-Admiral commanding Fourth Cruiser Squadron, which operated against Truk Atoll to neutralize air installations. 19. After fuelling and storing in Seeadler Harbour, " Achilles " proceeded as a unit of the British Pacific Fleet, now Task Force 37, of the United States Third Fleet under Admiral Halsey and took part in air strikes which were greatly hampered by adverse weather conditions. 20. Task Force 37 closed the Fleet Train on 31st July and refuelled, later proceeding in company with Task Force 38 for further strikes against Northern Honshu. Early strikes in the Sendai area achieved surprise, and that carried out on 9th August produced probably the best result of the whole series of these operations, nearly 200 aircraft being •destroyed or damaged on the ground by the British Pacific Fleet alone. In response, the enemy showed greater activity and aggressiveness.
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