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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
901 M STREET SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- EVENTS -- World War II in the Pacific -- Japan Capitulates --
Allied Fleet off Japan, 15 August - 2 September 1945

Other Scenes in the Allied Fleet off Japan, August 1945.

As the U.S. Third Fleet and British Pacific Fleet patrolled off Japan during the two weeks following the 15 August peace announcement, routine activities continued, as well as some not-so-routine ones. This page presents pictures taken at sea during this time.

For links to further pictorial coverage of the Allied Fleets off Japan during 15 August - 2 September 1945, see: Overview and Special Image Selection

For views of other aspects of Japan's surrender, see: Japan Capitulates, August - September 1945

If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: 80-G-490379

Surrender of Japan, 1945


U.S. Third Fleet carrier planes fly in massed formation over the fleet's ships, as it awaited orders to move into Japanese ports, 23 August 1945.
More than a thousand aircraft participated in the flyover. The ships were operating within a few hours' steaming time of the Japanese coast.
Over 260 aircraft can bee seen in this image, including F6F, F4U, TBM and SB2C types.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 56KB; 740 x 605 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 

Photo #: 80-G-278816

USS Wisconsin (BB-64)


Operating with the Third Fleet off the coast of Japan, 17 August 1945, two days after Japan accepted Allied surrender terms.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives.

Online Image: 111KB; 740 x 610 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 

Photo #: 80-G-455703

HMS King George V)

(British Battleship, 1939-1958)

At sea off Japan in company with U.S. Third Fleet ships on 16 August 1945, the day after the Japanese Government agreed to surrender.
Photographed from USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31).
Just beyond King George V is USS Missouri (BB-63), with a British destroyer alongside. An Essex class aircraft carrier is in the distance.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives.

Online Image: 73KB; 740 x 610 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 

Photo #: NH 96781

USS Missouri (BB-63)
(at left)

Transferring personnel to USS Iowa (BB-61), while operating off Japan on 20 August 1945.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 87KB; 740 x 605 pixels

 

Photo #: 80-G-366832

USS Monterey (CVL-26)


Flies an extra-large U.S. Ensign on the day news was received of Japan's surrender, 15 August 1945. Monterey was then operating off Japan.
Note antennas on the carrier's foremast, including a "YE" homing beacon antenna at the masthead.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 80KB; 740 x 610 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 

Photo #: 80-G-331688

Surrender of Japan, 1945


Admiral William F. Halsey, Commander, Third Fleet, and other senior U.S. and British Navy officers toast the end of World War II, aboard USS Missouri (BB-63), 22 August 1945.
Those present are (left to right):
Rear Admiral Robert B. Carney, USN;
Captain J.P.L. Reid, RN;
Vice Admiral Sir Bernard Rawlings, RN;
Admiral Halsey;
Vice Admiral John S. McCain, USN, and
Rear Admiral Wilder D. Baker, USN.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 72KB; 740 x 615 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 

Photo #: 80-G-278834

Vice Admiral John S. McCain, Sr., USN
(center),

Arrives for Task Force 38 Change of Command ceremonies on board USS Shangri-La (CV-38), 31 August 1945, while the ship was operating off the Japanese coast.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives.

Online Image: 94KB; 740 x 615 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 


For links to further pictorial coverage of the Allied Fleets off Japan during 15 August - 2 September 1945, see: Overview and Special Image Selection

For views of other aspects of Japan's surrender, see: Japan Capitulates, August - September 1945


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24 February 1999