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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 --
Initial Occupation of Japan, 28 August - 2 September 1945

Amphibious Landings around Tokyo Bay, 28 August - 2 September 1945

The first shipborne forces to set foot in Japan were underwater demolition team members who landed on 28 August to check prospective Tokyo Bay landing beaches and ensure that fortifications were neutralized. In the early morning of 30 August, Marines and a sailor landing party came ashore to occupy the Yokosuka Naval Base and other nearby positions. Subsequent landings took place at Yokohama, closer to Tokyo, as the occupation forces built up their strength.

This page features pictures of these early Tokyo Bay area amphibious operations.

For further pictorial coverage of the initial occupation of Japan, see:
Initial Occupation of Japan, 28 August - 2 September 1945 -- 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 #: NH 71599

Surrender of Japan, 1945

Lieutenant Commander Edward Porter Clayton, USN, (center, back to camera) Commanding Officer of Underwater Demolition Team 21, receiving the first sword surrendered to an American force in the Japanese Home islands. The surrender was made by a Japanese Army Coast Artillery Major (standing opposite LCdr. Clayton) at Futtsu-misaki, across Tokyo Bay from Yokosuka Navy Base on 28 August 1945. Members of UDT-21 had landed from USS Burke (APD-65), whose boats are beached in this view.
Identifications of many of the UDT-21 members present are provided in NH 71599 (complete caption).

Courtesy of Mr. Robert A. Winters, Mine Advisory Committee, National Academy of Sciences, 1970.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 76KB; 740 x 610 pixels

 

Photo #: 80-G-421128

Surrender of Japan, 1945


Marines go ashore for initial occupation of Japanese facilities, probably near Yokosuka, circa 30 August 1945.
Taken by a USS Iowa (BB-61) photographer.

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

Online Image: 85KB; 740 x 615 pixels

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

 

Photo #: 80-G-490432

Surrender of Japan, 1945


Marines of the 4th Regiment, 6th Division, come ashore at Yokosuka during initial landings in the Tokyo Bay area, 30 August 1945. They are in full battle gear in preparation for any treachery from the Japanese.
Their LCVP is from USS Waukesha (AKA-84), and they appear to be pulling a 75mm pack howitzer.
In the distance are the Japanese battleship Nagato (in the center) and Yokosuka dockyard facilities (at right).

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

Online Image: 79KB; 740 x 610 pixels

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

 

Photo #: 80-G-374825

Yokohama, Japan


Two Soviet Navy officers talking with a member of the boat group from USS Talladega (APA-208) on the beach at Yokohama, 2 September 1945. Talladega was then landing troops from the U.S. Army's First Cavalry Division for occupation duty in Japan.
Note pistol holster worn by Soviet officer at left.

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

Online Image: 70KB; 580 x 765 pixels

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

 


For further pictorial coverage of the initial occupation of Japan, see:
Initial Occupation of Japan, 28 August - 2 September 1945 -- Overview and Special Image Selection.

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



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8 March 1999