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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

Rendezvous with Japanese Pilots, as the Fleet Enters Japanese Waters, 27-28 August.

With most surrender and occupation arrangements made, the Allied fleet prepared to enter Sagami Wan (Bay) and the adjacent Tokyo Bay. To facilitate this operation, the Japanese destroyer Hatsukakura brought out several Japanese naval officers to provide piloting services. Fear of treachery remained strong, so the visitors were carefully searched and treated sternly. However, there were no hostile incidents, and the pilots safely brought the U.S. and British warships into their anchorages.

This page presents views of the Japanese pilots arriving at the Allied fleet, their reception and their work.

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-490402

Surrender of Japan, 1945


Sailors on the bow of USS Nicholas (DD-449) watch the Japanese destroyer Hatsuzakura steaming in company off Tokyo Bay, 27 August 1945. The Japanese ship had brought out several naval officers and harbor pilots for a conference on USS Missouri concerning the entry of the Third fleet into Sagami Wan and Tokyo Bay.
Note radars, depressed gun barrels, Japanese naval ensign and other details of this Tachibana class destroyer.

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

Online Image: 60KB; 740 x 605 pixels

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

 

Photo #: 80-G-339800

Surrender of Japan, 1945


The Japanese destroyer Hatsuzakura lies to, with a USS Nicholas (DD-449) whaleboat alongside to transfer Japanese officers for discussions concerning the entry of U.S. and British warships into Sagami Wan and Tokyo Bay, 27 August 1945.
Photographed by Chief Photographer's Mate F.B. Gavin.

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

Online Image: 68KB; 740 x 605 pixels

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

 

Photo #: 80-G-339801

Surrender of Japan, 1945


The Japanese destroyer Hatsuzakura meets USS Nicholas (DD-449) off the coast of Japan to transfer Japanese officers for discussions concerning the entry of U.S. and British warships into Sagami Wan and Tokyo Bay, 27 August 1945. A whaleboat from Nicholas is alongside the Japanese ship.
Photographed by Chief Photographer's Mate F.B. Gavin.

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

Online Image: 72KB; 740 x 605 pixels

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

 

Photo #: 80-G-339804

Surrender of Japan, 1945


Japanese officers' briefcases are searched for possible weapons, in the wardroom of USS Nicholas (DD-449), as the destroyer carried them to confer with Allied representatives concerning the entry of U.S. and British warships into Sagami Wan and Tokyo Bay, 27 August 1945.
Nicholas's Executive Officer, Lieutenant Commander Raynha Townshend, USNR, is in the left center.
Photographed by Lieutenant (Junior Grade) G. Zenier.

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

Online Image: 84KB; 740 x 595 pixels

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

 

Photo #: 80-G-332611

Surrender of Japan, 1945


Two U.S. Navy officers examine a Japanese officer's sword, on board USS Nicholas (DD-449), 27 August 1945. The Japanese were on board to provide piloting services for Third Fleet ships entering Sagami Wan and Tokyo Bay.
Note other Japanese swords and sword belts on the table in the foreground.

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

Online Image: 96KB; 740 x 615 pixels

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

 

Photo #: 80-G-490393

USS Missouri (BB-63)


A Japanese naval officer boards Missouri with charts of Sagami and Tokyo Bays, for a piloting conference with Admiral William F. Halsey's staff, 27 August 1945. This conference was held to prepare for the entrance of U.S. Third Fleet and British Pacific Fleet ships into the bays for the Japanese surrender ceremonies.

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

Online Image: 71KB; 620 x 765 pixels

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

 

Photo #: 80-G-490401

USS Missouri (BB-63)


Japanese naval officers go over charts of Sagami and Tokyo Bays during a piloting conference with Admiral William F. Halsey's Third Fleet staff, 27 August 1945, as preparations were being made for the entrance of U.S. Third Fleet and British Pacific Fleet ships into Japanese waters.
At left, in baseball cap, is Rear Admiral Robert B. Carney, Third Fleet Chief of Staff.
At right is Japanese language officer Commander Gilven M. Slonim.
The State of Missouri Seal is on the bulkhead in the upper left corner.

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

Online Image: 90KB; 740 x 610 pixels

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

 

Photo #: 80-G-344500

USS Cumberland Sound (AV-17)


Ship's Commanding Officer, Captain Etheridge Grant, USN, (center), checks charts with a Japanese Navy pilot and Lieutenant Rogers, USN, (at right), as the seaplane tender prepares to enter Tokyo Bay, 28 August 1945.

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

Online Image: 95KB; 740 x 605 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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28 February 1999