Surrenders in the Pacific
Once the Emperor gave his speech for peace, the Japanese gave their surrenders across the Pacific, but not all went as smoothly as the one held on the USS Missouri. As late as 31 August, according to U.S. Intelligence reports, the Japanese refused to believe the surrender reports and ambushed a SRD party and three of the Japanese were killed.
In the Ryukyus, things were far more simple. The senior officer in the Sakishima Gunto, Lt. General Gon Nomi, Toshiro, whose headquarters was on Miyako Shima, had been given authority to conclude a peace treaty for all Army and Navy forces in the Sakishima Gunto, Daito Islands and the islands in the Okinawa Gunto not already under American control. The official papers were signed on 7 September 1945, with General Stillwell presiding.
General Shunroku Hata and his Army had taken only three weeks in April-May of 1944 to rout 300,000 Chinese soldiers in Honan to secure the Peking-Hankow railroad. He then moved south and then west to meet up with the Japanese forces in French Indochina. The 14th Air Force and the Chinese Air Force could not stop the offensive and by the end of May, General Marshall and the Joint Chiefs of Staff basically wrote off the Chinese Theater. Yet in the end, Gen. Hata signs the surrender.
12 September, Lord Mountbatten accepted the surrender of all enemy forces in Southeast Asia in Singapore. Once again, the Union Jack was flying over Government House. But, due to Britain’s overstretched resources, Japanese soldiers were used to maintain law and order in the region. Europe’s colonialism was severely damaged and in 1947, Britain granted independence to India and Pakistan.
17 August, American parachutists landed near Nanking on the Wse-hsien interment camp. The Japanese were forced to protect the troopers from the unrest (actually chaos) erupting in the area between Communist and Nationalist armies. On 9 September, General Ho Chin accepted the Japanese surrender of China (except Manchuria, Formosa [now Taiwan] and Indochina north of the 16th parallel in the name of Chiang Kai. Mao’s forces stayed away even though Allied officials were present. By not being at Central Military Academy in Whampoa, he was in violation of the Potsdam accords and went on to accept his own regional surrenders.
The British had been slow in retaking Hong Kong and revolts broke out. The POWs were not receiving food and the Chinese population caused riots in the streets. The British civil servants eventually took over while the Japanese kept the order. 16 September, the official surrender took place, but not until November were all Japanese troops in the New Territories relieved, disarmed and repatriated.
After a meeting in Rangoon, Mountbatten arranged for the Allied forces to enter Siam and Indochina. Thirteen days later, he flew his 7th Indian Division to Bangkok to move onward to Saigon. They were to assist the French in securing the southern half of Vietnam again as a French colony. The Americans felt that the French had already bled the country dry over the past century and so here – the start of the Vietnam War that would last until 1974.
Thailand had survived by playing both sides while attempting to appear neutral. Japanese General Hamada, responsible for heinous POW atrocities, committed seppuku.
Indonesia was grateful to the Japanese for throwing out the Dutch and declared their independence. Although British and Dutch troops made attempts to return them to colonization, they resisted. The Americans moved in with orders to disarm the Japanese and then leave. It would take four years of fighting before the Hague would recognize Indonesia as a sovereign country.
Burma disliked the Japanese, but they had given them a taste of independence from the British. They took no part in the surrender proceedings. After the Japanese were shipped home and fighting resumed with the British, the independent nation nation was established 4 January 1948.
India had acquired their own army under the Japanese Co-Prosperity Sphere, but not independence. After the war, the British tried in vain to hold the country, but hostility forced them to grant India their freedom in 1947. The transition was overseen by Governor General Mountbatten.
In Korea, the Japanese were ordered to sweep Inchon harbor of mines before the American fleet arrived. The Japanese, here again, were needed to maintain order until Koreans could be trained to contain the mobs. Korea had actually been ignored as far as surrender and removal of the Japanese. The U.S. had gone there to disarm the enemy. The end result of the incompetent handling of Korea during and after WWII attributed to the Korean War.
Click on images to enlarge.
#############################################################################################
Military Humor –
#############################################################################################
Farewell Salutes –
Michael Bach – Utica, NY; US Army, Korea, Vietnam, 101st Airborne Division
Donald Creedon – New Hartford, NY; US Army, Korea, 187th RCT
Leo Fitzpatrick – Sharon, MA; US Navy, WWII
Robert Glass – Crosby, MN; US Merchant Marines, WWII, PTO / US Air Force (Ret. 22 y.)
Lewis Holzheimer – Neihart, MT; US Army, WWII, ETO, 60th Infantry Regiment, Bronze Star, Purple Heart
Russell Kelly – Seabrook, NH; US Navy, WWII
Willard Marquis – Casper, WY; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO
Louis Orleans – Ft. Collins, CO; US Army, WWII
Martin Sander – Odenton, MD; US Army, WWII, Sgt.
Wiley Walker – Canyon, TX; US Army, 1st Calvary Division, Colonel (Ret. 27 y.)
#############################################################################################
Posted on May 30, 2019, in Uncategorized, WWII and tagged 1940's, CBI, family history, History, Military, Military History, Pacific War, Surrender, veterans, WW2, WWII. Bookmark the permalink. 105 Comments.
Reblogged this on Janet's Thread 2.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Much appreciated, Janet.
LikeLike
Thanks for your like of my post, “Shabbat – Revelation 10;” your kindness is greatly appreciated. Please keep up your good work.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, I’ll sure try.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You can not imagine how much I appreciate all of the information that you put on your blog.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I appreciate that – and thank you for your interest in this portion of history.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are very welcome. You are presenting history that appears to not being taught in our schools. I really don’t think that most people in Congress has an understanding of the things of the second world war.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Congress thinks only of themselves. I personally would like to can them all and let’s start over.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes. I agree.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your like of my post, “Ascension – Sabbath – Shavuot – Pentecost – June 7-10, 2019;” your kindness is greatly appreciated.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great post gp, one thing I like reading in your posts or discovering, is the beginnings of the lead up to the Vietnam war, for example the fallout from the second world war and the implications that precipitated the French/Indonesian war, hence the battle of Khe Sanh and subsequently the Vietnam war
LikeLiked by 2 people
The WWII generals warned politicians to stay out of there – but that just means to them – go for it!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
History can leave a bitter taste, but all can be swallowed in time and injustice can be rectified.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Well said, Maureen.
LikeLike
Thank you GP for this special post – there is a lot to learn and understand. History teaches much.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you very much, Mary. It’s also great to see you back around, you’ve been missed. I hope all is well with you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much GP – I am happy to be back
and enjoying your posts again. Hope you have a lovely week ahead. So much significance and remembrance.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you once again, Mary!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
All caught up with you again, GP! Yes, the roots and interconnections of all these wars are interesting and educational, but not taught that way.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I thank you for doing so much reading here. I really wish at least some of the connections between political actions from one even helped to cause another. Maybe we could then understand HOW to stop wars in the future.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know you only check it once a week, but I wanted you to know that I just sent you an email… So, you can delete your email address off of this post, now, if you wish! Thank you
LikeLiked by 2 people
I only just finished answering you – we must be on the same wave length. I felt very happy for you in one way, but not so much in the other. Thank you for thinking of me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I’m rather nervous…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Quite understandable!! He’ll stay alert and recall everything his instructors told him and he’ll make his mother proud.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes! Thank you so much for your words of encouragement. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
This period of time was far more complicated than I realized, especially in terms of independence movements, the decline of British hegemony, and so on. In school, we often studied these are separate subjects (e.g., “the end of WWII,” “India’s demands for independence,” “Korean conflict,” and so on). The end result is that the interconnections stayed a little fuzzy, and the way the war influenced later events got lost.
LikeLiked by 4 people
I don’t know why we were taught in such a way, but I do know what you mean. If you were to read “The Imperial Cruise” by James Bradley, you realize just how far back the roots to all these wars connect.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I can only imagine how hopeful each person was during the old days that the war — an ordeal like such — would come to an end. I hope humanity does not witness another one throughout its existence…
By the way, I know this is just a little thing but I thought I’d let you know that I nominated you for the Sunshine Blogger Award. It’s a tribute for the great content that you have in this website.
You may read about it here:
https://openconcavity.wordpress.com/2019/06/02/the-sunshine-blogger-award-a-humbling-nomination/
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you very much, Tina for the nomination. I do not accept the awards though, as been my practice since I started, as I feel I merely report what our troops have done while it is they who deserve the accolades. I hope you are not offended by this, as I am personally flattered.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s alright! No worries. But I’d like to let you know that you are one of the bloggers I adore in the cyberspace. That award, whether or not you pass it on, is most genuinely thought of and given by yours truly. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I appreciate that very much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on depolreablesunite.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you very much, Rick!
LikeLike
Thanks for the history lesson
LikeLiked by 2 people
Whatever I can do, my friend.
LikeLike
We just concluded shooting a Japanese TV series in Thailand but the story is actually about Japanese in the Philippines during World War II.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Fantastic – what is the the title? How soon will it be released, or is it already airing in Japan? Are we able to get it here in the states? C’mon, Roy, give us the scoop!!
LikeLike
Oh dear, don’t tell me this is the MLQ movie shown currently in our theaters? I am always fascinated with historical movies immortalized through motion pictures. I hope we’ll have more of this in our Philippine movies, Sir Roy! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Turmoil and more turmoil. Thanks for the insight.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Do humans ever allow otherwise?
LikeLike
Rarely!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your like of my post, “14 – Israel – The Tabernacle In The Desert;” you are very kind.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good news is always accepted with joyous gratitude when it comes from a loved one in the Military. Though I cannot publicize what this good news is since I do not want everyone in the whole world to know of its origin, I wanted to tell you that I have heard good news.
I wanted you to be the first one I told since you write concise articles on Military subject matter that I have been following for a long time and has been a friend to me during my loved one’s military deployment.
I will continue to be an obliged follower of your informative, important, and sometimes, humorous material for as long as I am on WordPress. It is a blessing to have you here, and whenever I see an article of yours spring up, I am comforted.
Love and hugs,
Tamara (Nika)
LikeLiked by 2 people
I sincerely hope your good news is what think it is!! Thank you for letting me into part of your life.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can tell you by email, but not publicly. I don’t know if it’s what you think it is bcuz I’m not sure what you might think it is! Lol…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I learn so much from your posts. Thank you. Besides other things, your educated and intelligent info proves that the way the end of a war is handled is just as important as WHO “wins’ a war. ;-0
I appreciate the humor at the end – the George Washington “Jaws” comment is priceless..
LikeLiked by 2 people
Despite the seriousness of the post, I was happy to hear you got a smile out of it with “Jaws”.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s all so puzzling. Countries left the western sphere of influence and nowadays they are dreadful places, for whatever reason. North Korea, Indonesia, both North and South Korea, and present day Myanmar, previously Burma, where a Nobel Peace Prize winner has apparently overseen the genocide of all the Moslems in the country. Not to mention the ultimate slave society, China.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I suppose they all thought they knew how to run a country better than us. You’d think after all this time, they’d the idea.
LikeLike
Interesting that you say that mistakes in Korea at the end of WW2 led to the Korean War and today’s divided Korea. So often poor endings of wars lay the seeds for new wars!
LikeLiked by 2 people
It was one of the contributing factors. I tried to explain further way back in the posts after the “About” page, but it takes a lot of things, accumulating and building up over the years to say exactly. (and I’m sure you know by now how I just “love” politics!!!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Politics/history is fascinating and always ooen to more than one interpretation which makes it so interesting!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
I can understand the determination to continue fighting and disregard the surrender agreement. Even today many hold hard feelings toward people who were on the other side.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Heck, we have people still holding on to the Civil War. Some just can’t let go and move forward. History is supposed to teach us our mistakes – and we’re supposed to learn from them. I know you do, you’re great at showing us significant areas preserved, etc. but not everyone uses their head.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the “Washington Crossing Delaware” joke! Thank you again for many fascinating historical details, GP.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I appreciate you taking the time to read them, Dolly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure and privilege, GP
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on John Cowgill's Literature Site.
LikeLiked by 2 people
So appreciated, John!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad to do it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sadly not the first time a conflict ended just to open the door for more war(s).
But at least the Big One was over.
LikeLiked by 2 people
The size of WWII was absolutely incredible!!
LikeLike
Some Japanese soldiers refused to believe the surrender order was issued till 1974; that is really proof how effective (in terrifying sense) was Japanese propaganda…
LikeLiked by 2 people
I father was one of the first into Japan and he was only confronted with respect from the Japanese people. I know many found it hard to believe but they revered their Emperor.
LikeLike
Some strange post-surrender situations like using Japanese soldiers to keep order in local populations? How weird is that? Lots of chaos and political juggling going on. Interesting reading.
LikeLiked by 3 people
It does show how dignified the Japanese could be and obedient of their Emperor. Thanks for stopping by, Mike – how’s life in Paradise?
LikeLiked by 1 person
After everyone thought it had gone smoothly, it became a very messy process. I recall my Dad telling me that they re-armed some Japanese POWs in Burma, to help keep control during numerous disturbances.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 2 people
That they did. I believe it also had to be done in parts of China. Some didn’t want the war to end and others felt the end of this war meant it was time to declare their independence.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I remember hearing on the news that a couple of Japanese soldiers were either captured or surrendered in the Philippines WAY back in the 1960s. They had never received word of Japan’s formal surrender. Somehow they had been cut-off from their unit during battle, and hid out in caves. They would conduct nightly “raids” to gather food and other supplies where they could find it. Talk about dedication! (Or, insanity?)
LikeLiked by 3 people
I would imagine it was part dedication on the verge of obsession with a fear of what the Allies might do to them thrown in.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Same thing happened several times in Guam.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes it did.
LikeLike
I believe they were in Palawan and did not know that the war ended a long time ago. That area was mostly jungle so they were really out of touch.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Who would have thought surrender would be so complex. Thanks for shedding the light, GP.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It would have been easier if it could have been dealt with like Europe, but with the Pacific being so huge – it became complicated. It think in the end, it was handled about as well as anyone could have expected.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was amazed at the fall out from British rule.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The importance of the independence issues is interesting
LikeLiked by 2 people
So much was going on that many forgot about the colonies wanted their independence in exchange for helping the Allies.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes
LikeLiked by 1 person
I knew that in some areas, Japanese troops had been sued to help police the liberated areas. I had no idea it was so widespread. wow.
LikeLiked by 2 people
There were so many reasons for the disturbances, that the troops were having trouble keeping the peace.
LikeLike
I am just back from my trip to Japan. I visited the Peace Park on Okinawa and was pleasantly surprised that that seminal battle (where more people were killed than by both atomic bombs) was fairly covered. It was horrific but with a lot of nobility and dignity on both sides.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Welcome Home, Jacqui!!
The Japanese are special when it comes to dignity and honor. I hope you’ll be having a post to show the rest of us!!
LikeLike
Gen. Washington: “Whoever is humming the ‘Jaws’ theme is gonna get slapped!”
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
NOW THAT made ME smile!!!!
LikeLike
Sad that the end of this war was the catalyst for the Korean and Vietnam ones.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Too sad in my book!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s not like they could just update the website 😉
LikeLiked by 3 people
hahaha, wouldn’t THAT have been the easy way out!!?!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good thing the Japanese were cooperative in maintaining order! I had no idea the underpinnings of our involvement in Vietnam stretched back that far.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m afraid so.
LikeLiked by 1 person
With the Japanese surrender, the Japanese failed in their aim to have “Asia for the Asians”, a euphemism for “Asia for Japan”. Instead some Asian countries ended up getting their own independence from other foreign rule.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Right. For some that meant that they actually did win, Europe was thrown out of Asia – but like you said, not ruled by Japan.
LikeLike
Wow! This was a great history lesson, GP. I knew about Vietnam and India but not the other countries I never knew the Japanese soldiers had to keep peace in some of these areas, especially Hong Kong. Makes me more impressed with our former adversary. Good post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There were those that wanted to fight to the finish, but as a whole 7 years (or more) of fighting was too much – it was time to obey the revered Emperor and begin rebuilding in peace.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Each of these liberated regions/nations provide plenty of story material for international historians.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Most certainly! I’ve only skimmed the bare surface.
LikeLiked by 2 people
One of the goals of Japanese war effort was to liberate Asia from European colonial domination (to replace it with their own of course). Seems they certainly succeeded. Countries got their independence and Japan has established itself as a formidable economic power even beyond Asia.
LikeLiked by 5 people
In some areas, you are quite right, Carl.
LikeLiked by 1 person
To large extent removal of colonialism in Asia was not by “Japanese help” but by weakness of Western democracies which simply were not able to keep Asian colonies in check as they had to face Germany in Europe. And main allied player in Pacific – was always ultra-anti-colonial. Btw, I like how that tension between UK and US is depicted in Churchill BoardGame (I love board games and that is one of my favorite https://theboardgameschronicle.com/2018/08/17/review-churchill/)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
Thank you, Ned.
Have an admirable weekend.
LikeLike
Pingback: Surrenders in the Pacific | Pacific Paratrooper | Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News
Pingback: Sweet! Versatile Blogger Award! – Survival Through Faith