SURRENDER FOR TUESDAY

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 278, 23 August 1945, Page 7

SURRENDER FOR TUESDAY

Typhoon May Delay Tokio Entry

MANCHURIAN ARMY CAPITULATES

(By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright J (Received August‘22, 1 1.20 p.m.) LONDON, August ‘22. The Japanese surrender is expected to be signed in Tokio about next Tuesday, but the actual day of the Allied entry into Japan is still not definitely fixed. The reason is the weather. A correspondent reports that Okinawa, the Allied airbase nearest to Japan, is in the centre of a typhoon, wh.ch is in _ full;swing southward to Manila. This may delay the landings, which will b carried out as a regular amphibious operation. British forces will be there when the operation begins, Australia’s contribution to the occupation of Japan, it is announced in Tokio, will be a naval task force, about 10.000 soldiers, and three air squadrons.

A Japanese announcement that the first Allied landings will take place oh Sunday and the main landings next Tuesday has been put out, a correspondent says, to prepare the Japanese mind for the Allies' arrival. Tokio radio says that any failure to carry out the Government’s orders speedily will bo regarded as rebellion. Tokio radio made a special appeal to kamikaze pilots to cease operations, lhe Manila correspondent of the “New YorK Tinies” comments that the broadcast clearly disclosed that suicide pilots so far have defied the Emperor. Admiral Mountbatten expects io receive the surrender of the Japanese forces of South-east Asia and Singapore early next month. So far he does not know when Japanese oflicers will arrive at Jtangoon to start negotiations. Some Japanese prisoners who have been taken in Burma did not know of the Emperor’s capitulation. The Japanese-controlled radio at Singapore stated: “The cease-fire order has not yet been issued in the southern regions of Asia, and therefore any Allied air, sea or land approach might lead to an unfortunate incident. Perfect pence and order are being maintained in Singa pore, where the Japanese forces are bearing the entire responsibility for the safety of the public. . “Every possible effort is being made to carry out tile Emperor’s wishes, but it is learned that fighting spirit and morale have been kept very high throughout, from oflicers down to privates. An imperial emissary bearing the Emperors orders arrived at the Japanese headquarters today.”

Formally Surrendered. The crack Kwantung Army formally surrendered to the Red Army at Harbin yesterday. Japanese communications in Manchuria are so disorganized that certain of the scattered forces have not been told of the surrender and some lighting is still going on. LONDON, August 21. A Russian communique' reported that the Red Army on Monday took 52,000 prisoners throughout Manchuria, including the Kwantung Army commanders of the First Front and Central Front and also of the Third and Fifth Armies. The process of taking over the capitulating units of the Kwangtung Army was continuing.

Russian troops yesterday occupied five towns in southern Sakhalin. All Manchuria will shortly be completely occupied by the Red Army, correspondents report. Cities and towns are being occupied unopposed. Firing ceased on the Sakhalin front at noon yesterday when Japanese envoys approached the Russians under white flags. While the Japanese are carrying out the surrender terms, the Red Army is advancing to take over the southern part of the island, and also expects to reenter Port Arthur soon. In China the formal Japanese surrender is to be signed at Nanking. Ycnan radio announced that the Chinese Communist forces had captured Yangchung on the Yangtze, and also engaged in bitter fighting at Wuhu. Other troops captured Chouhsiang, south of Shanghai. Puppet forces defended the town.

The Associated Press correspondent at Chungking states that Nationalist troops occupied live more towns in Honan, and also Ohunshih Island, at the mouth of the Min River below Foochow.

A news agency message from Chungking says that British naval units are on their way to Hong Kong to accept the Japanese surrender of the island. Troops of the Maquis who fought in France are waiting in Ceylon to take part in the occupation of Indo-China. Movement in Bougainville. The Japanese troops are obeying the surrender orders given them by the Australian commander in Bougainville. Lieutenant-General Savige. Large bodies of Japanese have been observed moving back to the prearranged assembly points behind their lines. The surrender orders were sent to the Japanese commander, Lieutenant-General Kanda, through his envoy, Captain Takanaka. The corvette H.M.A.S. Lithgow, ■which picked up Takanaka and later returned him to a Japanese position, has now left to bring Kanda to the Australian headquarters at Torokina. The New Zealand Air Force headquarters in Bougainville has received word from pilots at Jacquinot Bay, New Britain, that thousands of Japanese there are preparing for an early surrender.

TERRITORIES SOUTH OF PHILIPPINES

MacArthur’s Command Ending MANILA, August 21. General MacArthur has notified the x’rime Ministers of Britain. Australia, and New Zealand that he will be relinquishing command of the area south of the Philippines, reports the Associated Press of America. He paid a high tribute to the accomplishments of the Australians and New Zealanders, and also to the whole-heart-ed co-operation and support he had invariably received from all the agencies of the Empire.

WHEN SINGAPORE SURRENDERS

Australian Representation (Received August 22, 10.40 p.m.) CANBERRA, August 22. A paratroop battalion of 1000 men will represent Australia at the handing over of Singapore, said the Minister of the Army, Mr. Forde. This force is apart from the two Australian brigades to share in the occupation of Japan. Mr. Forde said that the men had been specially trained in parachute work and were now stationed in north Queens land. The brigades of the A.I.F. who would take part in the occupation of Japan would be sent in the smartest and best available type of Australian uniforms.