This day in the war in the Pacific 65 years ago.

[syscom3]

JAPAN:
Special Mission #16
The SIX B-29's of the Nagasaki Mission:
• Bockscar", piloted by Maj. Charles Sweeney carried the "Fat Man" plutonium bomb.
• "The Great Artiste", piloted by Capt. Fred Bock, was assigned to drop the three instruments used to measure the blast effects of the bomb.
• "The Big Stink", flown by Maj. James Hopkins, carried the scientific observers.
• "Full House", flown by Capt. Ralph Taylor, acts as a standby aircraft and flew to Iwo Jima in the event of mechanical problems with Bockscar.
• "Up an' Atom", piloted by Capt. George Marquardt, will act as a weather plane and fly ahead to primary target of Kokura.
• "Laggin' Dragon", piloted by Capt. Charles McKnight, will act as a weather plane and fly ahead to the secondary target of Nagasaki.

The Mission's Timeline...
8/9/45; Prior to take off, flight engineer Kuharek notices the fuel pump for one of the reserve tanks on Bockscar is not functioning. The crew deplanes while the situation is discussed. The decision is made to carry on with the mission as planned.
8/9/45; 2:58 AM - The two weather planes, Up an' Atom and Laggin' Dragon, take off for their selected cities to monitor weather conditions.
8/9/45; 3:49 AM - Bockscar, piloted by Major Charles "Chuck" Sweeney, lifts off from Tinian Island. This take off was tricky, as the B-29 was loaded past a safe limit. Everyone on Tinian, at one time or another, had witnessed a B29, heavily laden with mines, crash and explode at the end of the runway when just one engine was lost. As Bockscar sped down the 8,500 foot runway in the dark of night, you can bet it was on the minds of the crew members.
8/9/45; 3:51 AM - The Great Artiste, piloted by Capt. Fred Bock, leaves Tinian for Japan.
8/9/45; 3:53 AM - The Big Stink, piloted by Lt. Col. Hopkins, lifts off.
8/9/45; 4:00 AM - Commander Ashworth, the Weaponeer, opened the small hatch to the bomb bay and crawled inside. Approx. 15 minutes later he reappeared and said that he had changed the "green plugs to red". He also said that we had to maintain altitude because the bomb could pre-detonate if we dropped below 5,000 feet. Lt. Barnes, the other Weaponeer, turned to the black box that had been placed on the table beside Abe Spitzer, our radioman. This box had lots of dials and lights and one big red bulb that slowly blinked off and on. Lt. Barnes set on a small stool in front of the box and never took his eyes off the blinking bulb until we dropped "Fat Man" almost six hours later. When asked at one point why he was so absorbed by the blinking light, Lt. Barnes said that as long as it continued to blink slowly, everything was ok with the bomb. If it started to blink rapidly, well......
8/9/45; 9:10 AM - Bockscar reached rendezvous point and immediately spots The Great Artiste. The Big Stink is nowhere in sight. Aircraft increased their altitude to 30,000 feet and slowly circle Yakushima Island. 15 and then 20 minutes went by, still no Hopkins on The Big Stink. Everyone was remembering Tibbet's directive - wait no more than 15 minutes and then leave. It was also during this circling that both weather planes reported that both Kokura and Nagasaki had cloud cover but visibility was sufficient for visual bombing.
8/9/45; 9:50 AM - After circling for 40 minutes, Bockscar and The Great Artiste finally head in the direction of Kokura. The Big Stink was nowhere to be seen. (Note: There is still to this day differing stories of why The Big Stink failed to rendezvous with the rest.) The additional 30 minutes that Bockscar and The Great Artiste took to wait ended up costing the mission clear, visual bombing conditions over Kokura. These crucial minutes saved Kokura from utter destruction and placed Nagasaki forever in the history books.
8/9/45; 10:20 AM - B29's arrive at Kokura.
8/9/45; 10:40 AM - Target is in sight, but 7/10 cloud cover is preventing visual run.
8/9/45; 10:45 AM - Three bomb runs are made on Kokura, but each time the drop was called off. Animated discussions take place amongst crew members as what to do next. Mention is made of a fuel transfer pump problem that means the additional 640 gallons of fuel stored in the tail was useless. Fuel is now becoming a real problem!
8/9/45; 11:32 AM - Decision made to reduce power to conserve fuel and head for secondary target, Nagasaki, 95 miles to the south.
8/9/45; 11:56 AM - Bockscar and The Great Artiste arrive at Nagasaki.
8/9/45; 11:58 AM - Bombardier, Kermit Beahan, now flying Bockscar, releases "Fat Man". Both planes take a 155 degree dive to their right and left respectively.
8/9/45; 12:02 PM - Fat Man explodes at an altitude of 1,840 feet with a force of 22,000 tons of TNT. Three shock waves are felt by both planes.
8/9/45; 12:06 PM - Bockscar and The Great Artiste, now low on fuel, head toward Okinawa. Real possibility exists for a forced landing in the water. Attempt to raise air/sea rescue units fails.
8/9/45; 1:00 PM - Okinawa is in sight. Attempts to notify airfield of emergency landing fails. There were other planes landing at the time on the only active runway. Finally, Sweeney ordered flares to be fired and Bockscar headed in. They landed at 150 MPH instaed of the normal 120 MPH. The number 2 engine ran out of fuel as they were on the runway.
8/9/45; 1:20 PM - Both The Great Artiste and Hopkins' The Big Stink (now found) landed at Okinawa. As it turned out, The Big Stink made its way to Nagasaki and arrived in time to take photographs.
8/9/45; 5:30 PM - All 3 B29's take off from Okinawa for Tinian Island.
8/9/45; 11:30 PM - B29's arrive back at North Field on Tinian.

USA: US President Truman broadcasts about the atomic bombs and their use on Japan.

MANCHURIA: The Red Army attack Japanese Forces in Manchuria with an army of 1.5 million soldiers. The Japanese defense lines are soon smashed.

JAPAN: Vice Admiral Hoshina, Chief of Military Affairs Bureau for the Naval Ministry, discussed the worsening situation with Vice Admiral Onishi, the Navy Vice Chief of Staff. Onishi replies that there were "ample chances of victory for Japan." He minimizes the importance of the atom bomb and the Russian invasion, the dwindling resources. He stresses the effectiveness of "special attacks" and the suicide weapons.
Hoshina then sees Navy Minister Yonai. Yonai comments "I have given up the war."
The Japanese Supreme Council for the Direction of the War, meets at 10:30 this morning. The SCDW is known as the Big 6 of the Japanese Cabinet. PM, FM, War Minister, Navy Minister, Army CofS, Navy CofS. They are notified of the Nagasaki bomb. By 1:00 pm they are still unable to agree on acceptance of the Potsdam Declaration. The Military refuses to negotiate on the continuing existence of the Emperor system, disarmament and occupation.
At the Japanese cabinet meeting this afternoon, PM Suzuki is able to set the stage for an Imperial Conference with the Emperor. The military are not aware that it will be tonight. The discussion is deadlocked over two proposals. The FM proposal is to accept the Potsdam Declaration. The military have added 1) A guarantee that the imperial family will continue to reign. 2) Disarmament of the armed forces by Japan herself. 3) Trial of war criminals by Japan herself. 4) Occupation of Japan to be limited to the minimum time and places.

Twentieth Air Force:
Mission 322: During the night of 9/10 Aug, 95 B-29s bomb the Nippon Oil Refinery at Amagasaki; 2 others hit alternate targets.

FEAF:
In Japan, B-25s over Kyushu Island, bomb airfields at Kanoya, the town of Noma, shipping in Beppu Bay, bridges, factories, and oil storage at Tsurusaki, and shipping, coastal villages, and communications targets in the Tsushima Strait area; A-26s and A-20s hit Kanoya Airfield and the industrial areas of Kushikino, Minato, and Shimahira; B-24s over W Honshu Island bomb the airfield at Iwakuni; 200+ P-47s and P-51s hit numerous targets on Shikoku and Kyushu Islands, and in the Ryukyu Islands including airfields, barracks, harbor installations, bridges, shipping, vehicles, and various factories and storage facilities.
- USN carrier-based aircraft of Task Force 38 attack Japanese shipping
and airfields in northern Honshu and Hokkaido; 9 ships are sunk.
- USN battleships and cruisers, plus 2 RN light cruisers, bombard industrial targets at Kamaishi, Honshu.

FORMOSA: B-24s bomb military stores at Matsuyama, Formosa.

PHILLIPINES: On Luzon, B-25s and P-38s support ground forces in areas N of Baguio, SSE of Mankayan, S of Kabayan, SE of Cervantes, near Kiangan, and NW of Infanta.

NEI: B-24s over Ceram Islands bomb Liang barracks on Ambon.

PACIFIC: A USN force consisting of the battleship USS New Jersey, light cruiser USS Biloxi and 4 destroyers shell Wake Island while they are enroute from Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii to Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshall Islands.

Tenth Air Force: HQ Tenth AF moves from Kunming to Liuchow, China; when the war ends, the deployment of Tenth AF units to China is still in progress; so, for the Tenth, war ends amidst a major reorganization.
Fourteenth Air Force: In China, 5 B-25s, with P-51 escort, damage the Puchi railroad bridge, and hit rail traffic N of Sinsiang; the P-51s strafe AA positions and targets of opportunity near the bridge; 4 other B-25s operating individually, attack truck convoys and targets of opportunity S of Changsha, S and N of Yoyang, and in the Siang Chiang Valley, and hit the S end of the town of Siangtan.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Unit moves: HQ 3d Air Commando Group and 3d and 4th Fighter Squadrons (Commando) from Laoag, Luzon to Ie Shima with P-51s; HQ from San Jose, Mindoro to Okinawa; and 35th Fighter Squadron, 8th FG, from San Jose Mindoro to Ie Shima with P-38s.

 

[syscom3]

August 10th 1945

JAPAN: The Japanese Imperial Conference begins just prior to midnight. After much discussion by various cabinet members, they are still unable to make a decision. At 2:00 am, PM Suzuki addresses Hirohito and asks, "Your Imperial decision is requested as to which porposal should be adopted, the foreign minister's or the one with the four conditions."

This was the first time in recorded Japanese history that the Emperor had been asked to make a decision. The military had expected the conference was for discussion and would then disperse. Now, the living god whose every command they had sworn to uphold was about to speak.

"I agree with the foreign minister." is the beginning of his answer. He then reviews events of the past several months. Then he goes on: "Some advocate a decisive battle in the homeland as the way to survival. In past experience, however, there has always been a discrepancy between the fighting services' plans and the results."

The military had demanded death before dishonor for Japan. Hirohito, the God-sent Ruler of the Great Japanese Empire (his official title) favored dishonor, if need be, as the price of life for his countrymen and survival of Japan.

At 3:00 am the cabinet meeting is resumed. The Emperor's decision is ratified. At 7:00 am General Yoshizumi, Chief of the Military Affairs Division of the War Ministry goes to the foreign ministry to derail sending the notice of the decision, he is too late.

During the day, the military are working at cross purposes. The Senior Officers are trying to comply with the Emperor's decision. The junior officers are confused, disillusioned and ready to revolt.

The conditional Japanese acceptance of the terms of the Potsdam Declaration is announced on Japanese Radio.

CENTRAL PACIFIC [US Army Strategic Air Forces in the Pacific (USASTAF)]
Twentieth Air Force:
The Japanese radio announces the Japanese desire for peace and USASTAF limits operations to precision mission. 104 B-29s fly 2 missions against Japan without loss.
Mission 323: During the day, 70 B-29s, escorted by 2 groups of P-51s, bomb the arsenal complex at Tokyo; 3 others hit alternate targets.
Mission 324: During the night of 10/11 Aug, 31 B-29s mine Shimonoseki Strait, Nakaumi Lagoon, and waters at Sakai and Yonago, Japan and Wonsan, Korea.

JAPAN:
In Japan, 80 B-24s, 118 B-25s, and 220+ P-47s and P-38s pound the Kumamoto area; 20+ B-24s bomb the Oita area; 39 P-51s provide cover over both targets; nearly 40 B-25s attack destroyers, cargo ships, and small vessels during a shipping sweep between Kyushu Island and Korea; P-47s bomb Sasebo Harbor; P-51s hit various targets of opportunity on Honshu and Kyushu and B-25s bomb targets of opportunity in the N Ryukyu Islands. B-24s bomb Shinchiku.
- Carrier-based aircraft from the RN's Task Force 37 and USN's Task Force 38 attack shipping, airfields and railways in the Hokkaido and northern
Honshu area; they claim the destruction of 720 aircraft on the ground.
Participating in this attack, are Corsair Mk IVs of the RCN's No. 1841 Squadron in HMS Formidable.

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater Fourteenth Air Force: Major General Charles B Stone III assumes command of HQ Fourteenth AF, replacing Major General Claire L Chennault. In China, 5 B-25s and 4 P-51s bomb a bivouac S of Siangyin, hit convoys S of Siangtan and in the Siang Chiang Valley, pound a storage area and AA positions at Nanchang, and hit a truck concentration N of Hengshan; 50+ P-47s and P-51s attack rivercraft, railroad targets, troops, trucks, and bridges at several points in S and E China

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: HQ 90th BG and 320th Bombardment Squadron to Ie Shima; and 530th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), to Okinawa.

PHILLIPINES: On Luzon, P-38s hit troop concentrations near Mount Pulog and ENE of Dupax. B-24 unit moves from San Jose, Mindoro:

 

[vikingBerserker]

Very cool, thanks for doing this syscom, it's really interesting.

 

[syscom3]

August 11th 1945

JAPAN: Government Deliberations: Shortly after midnight Japan receives unofficial notification of the rejection of Japan's conditional acceptance of the Potsdam Declaration.
The Chief of Staff for the Army and Navy meet with Hirohito. They review the US response and offer their advice. "Reject the impertinent terms and fight to the very last." Hirohito realizes that they have not really heard his desire on the 10th to end the war.
Professor Asada, after investigating Hiroshima, returns to Osaka University. He has a visitor, Lt. Saito from the Etajima Naval Academy. He reports that his commanding officer has deduced that the Hiroshima bomb was a mixture of magnesium and oxygen. There was not much more to fear from this new bomb than conventional bombs. There were 3 notations: 1) A special bomb was used; 2) burns can be prevented by covering the body; 3) rumor has it that the same kind of bomb will be dropped on Tokyo on August 12.
Professor Asada is shocked and convinces Lt. Saito to delay his report until Asada can report to Tokyo first.
During the day, a group of junior army officers around Col. Takeshita decide to mount a coup. They intend to overrule the "false advisors" of the Emperor and continue the war.
That evening the Emperor meets with all of the Imperial Family. He explains the object of his decision and asks for their support. After open discussion, the princes pledge their support.
The War Minister Anami meets with Prince Mikasa. He requests the prince to ask the Emperor to change his mind. Anami later reports to his secretary "Prince Mikasa severly scolded me saying 'Since the Manchurian Incident the army has not once acted in accordance with the Imperial wish. It is most improper that you should still want to continue the war when things have come to this stage' "

In Japan:
- Okinawa-based B-24s, B-25s, A-26 Invaders, A-20s, and fighters of the US Far East Air Force fly about 530 sorties and cause extensive destruction to shipping and shore installations in the Inland Sea, in the Tsushima area, and of communications, transportation, and other targets throughout Kyushu Island.
- US carrier-based aircraft of Task Force 38 sink three IJN submarines at Kure.

NEI: After embarking Australian Army officers in Borneo, the US submarine USS Hawkbill lands the commandoes at Terampah Harbor, Matak Island, Anambas Islands and they destroy a gasoline dump, capture intelligence documents and rescue an Indian POW. Two radio stations are destroyed using the submarine deck gun. The submarine returned to Borneo on 13 August.

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS (Eleventh Air Force): The 11th Fighter Squadron, 343d Fighter Group moves from Adak to Shemya with P-38s.

Fourteenth Air Force: In China, 9 P-51s attack troops, trains, and rivercraft around Chenhsien, Tehsien, and Hengyang; and the 115th Liaison Squadron, Fourteenth AF, based at Hsingchiang with L-1, L-4s and L-5s, begins operating primarily from Peishiyi.

PHILLIPINES: Philippine based B-24s bomb Heito Airfield on Formosa and Laha barracks Ambon. P-38s hit buildings near Dibuluan and fieldguns near Kiangan on Luzon.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: The 400th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 90th BG (Heavy), moves from San Jose, Mindoro to Ie Shima with B-24s.

 

[syscom3]

August 12th 1945

JAPAN: On this quiet Sunday, junior Army officers meet with War Minister Anami at his house, attempting to enlist his assistance in their plans for a coup. US drops leaflets telling of surrender terms to encourage leaders to quit.

JAPAN: In the Kurile Islands, the USN light cruiser USS Concord and 3 destroyers bombard Suribachi Airfield on Paramushiru Island for 20 minutes beginning at 0046 hours local. The last shot fired by a USN vessel is fired by the USS Concord.

JAPAN: FEAF: B-25s and A-26 Invaders hit Chiran and Kanoya Airfields while other A-26s and A-20s and P-47s hit the towns of Kushikino, Akune, and Miyazaki; more B-25s and fighter-bombers hit shipping and communications targets on Kyushu, the northern Ryukyu Islands, and between Japan and Korea; the aircraft claim several small merchant ships sunk and damaged, and numerous bridges, railroads, factories, and other targets of opportunity hit.

JAPAN: 11TH AF: Four US Eleventh Air Force B-24s make a combined visual and radar bomb run over Kataoka on Shimushu Island; 3 more bomb Suribachi Airfield on Paramushiru Island, hitting runways and buildings; all of these missions are in support of the naval bombardment. USN PB4Y-2 Privateers of VPB-120 based on Attu attack Kurabu Airfield on Paramushiru Island.

KOREA: Soviet troops enter N. Korea.

OKINAWA: I-58 launches last kaiten. Pennsylvania torpedoed at Okinawa

FORMOSA: B-24s from Okinawa bomb Matsuyama Airfield on Formosa. B-24s from the Philippines pound Kagi Airfield and the Takao marshalling yard.

PHILLIPINES: On Luzon, P-38s support ground forces in or near Kabayan, Kiangan, and Uldugan.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Unit moves: Air echelon of the 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th Reconnaissance Group, from Clark Field, Luzon to Okinawa with F-5s joining the ground echelon that arrived in Jul; 319th and 529th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 90th BG (Heavy), from San Jose, Mindoro to Ie Shima with B-24s; 387th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 312th BG (Heavy), from Floridablanca to Okinawa with A-20s; and 529th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 380th BG (Heavy), from San Jose, Mindoro to Okinawa with B-24s.

 

[syscom3]

August 13th 1945

JAPAN: The Cabinet Secretary Sakomizu and Lord Kido among others, have been branded as "false advisors" to the Emperor. Placards and posters over the country have sprung up urging that they and others of the "peace faction" be killed on sight.
Lt. Gen. Okido, commander of the Kempeitai (Military Police), appears in the PMs office demanding to see Suzuki. After finding out he is not there he tells Cabinet Secretary Sakomizu that "If Japan surrenders the army will rise. This is certain. Has the PM confidence that he can suppress the revolt?"
The Japanese Supreme Council for the Direction of the War, meets at 8:45 this morning. The SCDW is know as the Big 6 of the Japanese Cabinet. PM, FM, War Minister, Navy Minister, Army CofS, Navy CofS. The meeting is interupted by a call from Hirohito for both Chief of Staffs. Hirohito asks for their offensive plans during peace negotiations. They agree to refrain from offensive measures. After the SCDW meeting resumes, it accomplishes nothing. FM Togo leaves to report to the Emperor. He instructs the FM to do his best to settle the matter.
Junior Japanese Army officers meet in small groups during the day. They are determined to take over the government and continue the war.
The full cabinet meets at 3:00 pm. Anami leaves to call Lt. Gen. Yoshizumi and tells him that the cabinet is coming around to the army's way of thinking. It is not.
At 4:00 pm a Japanese IGHQ communique is released: "The Imperial Army and Navy having hereby received the gracious Imperial Command to protect the national polity [Emperor System] and to defend the Imperial Land, the entire armed forces will single-heartedly commence a general offensive against the Allied enemy forces." The War Minister and Army Chief of Staff immediately order the distribution of this message stopped. They know nothing about it.
By 7:00 pm the cabinet meeting has decided nothing. The PM, desiring to follow the Imperial will announces that he will report to the Emperor and again ask His Majesty to give his gracious decision. This in effect puts the military on notice that any coup must happen before another Imperial Conference.

JAPAN: A USAAF OA-10A Catalina rescues a TBM Avenger crewman from the inner reaches of Tokyo Bay midway between Yokohama and Kizarazu, marking the first time that a U.S. plane has accomplished a rescue in those waters. The crewman was assigned to Torpedo Squadron Eighty Seven in the aircraft carrier USS Ticonderoga.

JAPAN: FEAF: B-24s and B-25s from Okinawa pound shipping in the waters off Korea and Kyushu Island and in the Inland Sea claiming several vessels sunk and damaged; P-47s over Keijo encounter 20 Japanese aircraft and claim at least 16 shot down.

JAPAN: - RN and USN carrier-based aircraft of Task Force 38 attack Japanese airfields in the Tokyo area and claim 250 aircraft destroyed on the ground.

PHILLIPINES: B-25s attack Japanese forces near Palacian, Luzon.

SINGAPORE: P-38s hit shipping in the Singapore area. Unit moves from Luzon.

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS (Eleventh Air Force): The Eleventh AF dispatches its last combat mission when 6 B-24s radar-bomb the Kashiwahara Staging Area on Paramushiru with incendiaries, leaving huge columns of smoke.

OKINAWA: Eighth Air Force: The 461st, 462d and 463d Bombardment Squadrons (Very Heavy), 346th BG (Very Heavy), arrive on Okinawa from the US with B-29s.

Tenth Air Force: Unit moves in China: 27th Troop Carrier Squadron, 443d Troop Carrier Group, from Chengkung to Liangshan with C-47s; 427th Night Fighter Squadron, Tenth AF, from Dinjan, India to Liuchow with P-61s (detachments at Chengkung and Nanning, China).

Fourteenth Air Force: The flight of the 21st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Fourteenth AF, at Hanchung with F-5s, returns to base at Shwangliu (other flights are at Hsian and Ankang).

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: HQ 312th BG and 389th Bombardment Squadron from Floridablanca to Yontan with B-32s; 547th Night Fighter Squadron, V Fighter Command, from Lingayen Airfield to Ie Shima with P-38s and P-61s.

 

[syscom3]

August 14th 1945

JAPAN: The Japanese army coup is scheduled for 10:00 am. At 9:00 am War Minister Anami addresses all senior section war ministry staff: "The army should act in unison, because Japan is now facing the critical stiuation. Strengthen your unity. Beware of any undisciplined acts. Those who consider any arbitrary actions will have to carry them out over my dead body." This statement ends the hopes of the Junior Officers for an easy takeover.

At 10:30 the Imperial Conference with the cabinet and the Emperor begins. After discussion the Emperor again gives his decision: "I have carefully studied the Allied reply and concluded that it virtually acknowledges our position in the note sent several days ago. In short, I believe the reply is acceptable. Though it is understandable that some should distrust the Allied intentions, I do not believe the reply was written with malice." With this statement it is now a matter of trust.

Shortly after Noon, Professor Asada meets with the Navy. After hearing his report on the Hiroshima bombing, he reports their conclusion was: "to isolate all Japanese physicists in the caves in Nagano Prefecture to have them produce atomic bombs. They planned to drop them on America. The Navy had no intention of surrendering. "

At 1:00 pm the full cabinet meets and after much discussion reluctantly approves the Emperor's decision.

Representatives of the Radio Tokyo arrive at the palace at 3:00 to record the Emperor's statement. It is finished recording just before midnight. There are 3 copies. Members of the household ministry agree to hold the recording until they will be broadcast tomorrow.

INDONESIA: August 14 Sukarno, Hatta, and Radjiman Wediodiningrat return to Jakarta, mistrustful of the Japanese promise.

OKINAWA: 11th Airborne Div stages to Okinawa as initial occupation force for Japan.

USA: The US War Production Board removes its controls over automobile manufacturing activity.

JAPAN – FEAF: B-25s, P-47s, and P-51s attack shipping in Korea and Kyushu waters, claiming several vessels destroyed and damaged. P-47s over the Osaka-Nagoya area claim several Japanese aircraft shot down.

Twentieth Air Force: 752 B-29s fly 7 missions against Japan without loss. These are the last B-29 missions against Japan in WWII. The following 3 missions were flown during the day:
Mission 325: 157 B-29s bomb the naval arsenal at Hikari; 4 others hit alternate targets.
Mission 326: 145 B-29s bomb the Osaka Army Arsenal and 2 hit alternate targets; 160+ P-51 escort the B-29s and attack airfields in the Nagoya area; 1 P-51 is lost.
Mission 327: 108 B-29s bomb the railroad yards at Marifu; 2 others hit alternate targets. The following 4 missions were flown during the night of 14/15 Aug:
Mission 328: In the longest nonstop unstaged B-29 mission from the Mariana Islands, 3,650 miles, 132 B-29s bomb the Nippon Oil Company at Tsuchizakiminato.
Mission 329: 81 B-29s drop incendiaries on the Kumagaya urban area destroying 0.27 sq mi, 45% of the city area.
Mission 330: 86 B-29s drop incendiaries on the Isezaki urban area destroying 0.166 sq mi, 17% of the city area.
Mission 331: 39 B-29s mine the waters at Nanao, Shimonoseki, Miyazu, and Hamada. Before the last B-29s return, President Harry S Truman announces the unconditional surrender of Japan.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: The 19th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 22d BG (Heavy), moves from Clark Field to Okinawa with B-24s.

 

[Shinpachi]

Nice research, syscom3.

 

[syscom3]

Thanks Shinpachi. You have more info you can provide?

 

[Shinpachi]

How about this, syscom3?

The original copy of the Emperor's statement.

 

[syscom3]

How about this, syscom3?

The original copy of the Emperor's statement.

8)

Thank you very much!

 

[syscom3]

August 15th 1945

CENTRAL PACIFIC [US Army Strategic Air Forces in the Pacific (USASTAF)]: All offensive action against Japan ends.

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater): All offensive action against Japan ends
Fourteenth Air Force: HQ 81st FG and 91st Fighter Squadron move from Fungwansham to Huhsien, China with P-47s.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: All offensive action against Japan ends. General of the Army Douglas MacArthur is notified that he is Supreme Commander for Allied powers.

MacArthur tries to communicate with Tokyo using the War Department signal facilities, but when he receives no reply, he turns to the Army Airways Communications System (AACS). The AACS Manila station (call sign WXXU), tapped out MacArthur's instructions to the Japanese using a frequency over which AACS had been broadcasting uncoded weather information; the message reads:

"From Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers To The Japanese Emperor, the Japanese Imperial Government, the Japanese Imperial General Headquarters Message Number Z-500 I have been designated as the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (the United States, the Republic of China, the United Kingdom and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) and empowered to arrange directly with the Japanese authorities for the cessation of hostilities at the earliest practicable date. It is desired that a radio station in the Tokyo area be officially designated for continuous use in handling radio communications between this headquarters and your headquarters. Your reply to this message should give the call signs, frequencies and station designation. It is desired that the radio communication with my headquarters in Manila be handled in English text. Pending designation by you of a station in the Tokyo area for use as above indicated, station JUM on frequency 13705 kilocycles will be used for this purpose and Manila will reply on 15965 kilocycles. Upon receipt of this message, acknowledge. Signed MacArthur."

Within less than 2 hours, the Tokyo reply came back. This was the first direct communication between the Allies and Japan.

FEAF: Unit moves: HQ 22d BG and 33d Bombardment Squadron from Clark Field, Luzon to Okinawa with B-24s; 66th Troop Carrier Squadron, 403d Troop Carrier Group, from Morotai to Dulag with C-46s; 160th Liaison Squadron, 3d Air Commando Group [attached to 5th Air Liaison Group (Provisional)], from Mabalacat, Luzon to Ie Shima with UC-64s and L-5s; 321st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 90th BG (Heavy), from San Jose, Mindoro to Ie Shima with B-24s; 531st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) from San Jose, Mindoro to Okinawa with B-24s; and 674th Bombardment Squadron, 417th BG, from San Jose, Mindoro to Okinawa with A-20s.

JAPAN: Admiral Ugaki and the final Kamikazi:
[Admiral Ugaki was a prominate senior officer in the IJN throughout the war years] On 15 August 1945, Emperor Showa made a radio announcement conceding defeat and calling for the military to lay down their arms. After listening to the announcement announcing Japan's defeat, Ugaki made a last entry in his diary noting that he had not yet received an "official" cease-fire order, and that as he alone was to blame for the failure of his valiant aviators to stop the enemy, he would fly one last mission himself to show the true spirit of bushido. His subordinates protested, and even after Ugaki had climbed into the backseat of a Yokosuka D4Y "Judy", Warrant Officer Akiyoshi Endo, whose place in the kamikaze roster Ugaki had usurped, climbed into the same space that the admiral had already occupied. Thus, the aircraft containing Ugaki took off with three men, as opposed to two each in the remaining ten aircraft. Prior to boarding his aircraft, Ugaki posed for pictures and removed his rank insignia from his dark green uniform, taking only a ceremonial short sword given to him by Admiral Yamamoto.
Endo served as radioman during the mission, sending Ugaki's final messages, and a final message at 19:24, reported that the plane had begun its dive onto an American vessel. However, U.S. Navy records do not indicate any successful kamikaze attack on that day, and it is likely that all aircraft on the mission (with the exception of three that returned due to engine problems) crashed into the ocean.
The next morning, the crew of American landing craft LST-926 found the still smoldering remains of a cockpit with three bodies on the beach of Ishikawajima. The third man, his head crushed and right arm missing, wore a dark green uniform and a short sword was found nearby. The sailors buried the bodies in the sand.

 

[syscom3]

August 16th 1945

INDONESIA: August 16 Sukarno and Hatta are spirited away by youth leaders, including Chaerul Saleh, to Rengasdengklok at 3:00 A.M. They later return to Jakarta, meet with General Yamamoto, and spend the next night at Vice-Admiral Maeda Tadashi's residence. Sukarno and Hatta are told privately that Japan no longer has the power to make decisions regarding the future of Indonesia.

KOREA: Korea divided into North and South.

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater) Tenth Air Force: In China, the detachments of the 427th Night Fighter Squadron, Tenth AF, operating from Chengkung and Nanning with P-61s return to base at Liuchow.
Fourteenth Air Force: Unit moves in China: 1st Combat Cargo Squadron, Fourteenth AF (attached to 69th Composite Wing), from Hsinching to Chengkung with C-47s; detachments of 21st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Fourteenth AF at Laifeng returns to base at Shwangliu and a flight begins operating from Chihkiang, all with F-5s.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Unit moves to Okinawa: HQ 49th FG and 9th Fighter Squadron from Lingayen Airfield with P-38s; 5th and 6th Combat Cargo Squadrons, 2d Combat Cargo Group, from Dulag with C-46s.

 

[Shinpachi]

The Japanese side received his 2nd message form Gen. MacArther on August 15 prior to their official acknowledgments.

*****************************

Pursuant to the acceptance of the terms of surrender of the Allied Powers by the Emperor of Japan, the Japanese Imperial Government, and the Japanese Imperial Headquarters, the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers hereby directs the immediate cessation of hostilities by the Japanese forces. The Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers is to be notified at once of the effective date and hour of such cessation of hostilities, whereupon the Allied forces will be directed to cease hostilities.

The Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers further directs the Japanese Imperial Government to send to his headquarters at Manila, Philippine Islands, a competent representative empowered to receive in the name of the Emperor of Japan, the Japanese Imperial Government, and the Japanese Imperial General Headquarters certain requirements for carrying into effect the terms of surrender. The above representative will present to the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers upon his arrival a document authenticated by the Emperor of Japan, empowering him to receive the requirements of the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers.

The representative will be accompanied by competent advisers representing the Japanese Army, the Japanese Navy, and Japanese Air Forces. The latter adviser will be one thoroughly familiar with airdrome facilities in the Tokyo area.

Procedure for transport of the above party under safe-conduct is prescribed as follows: The party will travel in a Japanese airplane to an airdrome on the island of Ie Shima, from which point they will be transported to Manila, Philippine Islands, in a United States airplane. They will be-returned to Japan in the same manner. The party will employ an unarmed airplane, type Zero, model 22, L2, D3.

Such airplane will be painted all white and will bear upon the side of its fuselage and the top and bottom of each wing green crosses easily recognizable at 500 yards. The airplane will be capable of in-flight voice communications, in English, on a frequency of 6,970 kilocycles.

The airplane will proceed to an airdrome on the island of Ie Shima, identified by two white crosses prominently displayed in the center of the runway. The exact date and hour this airplane will depart from Sata Misaki, on the southern tip of Kyushu, the route and altitude of the flight, and estimated time of arrival in Ie Shima will be broadcast six hours in advance, in English, from Tokyo on a frequency of 16,125 kilocycles. Acknowledgment by radio from this headquarters of the receipt of such broadcast is required prior to take-off of the airplane. Weather permitting, the airplane will depart from Sata Misaki between the hours of 0800 and 1100 Tokyo time on the seventeenth day of August 1945. In communications regarding this flight, the code designation "Bataan" will be employed.

The airplane will approach Ie Shima on able course of 180 degrees and circle landing field at 1,000 feet or below the cloud layer until joined by an escort of United States Army P-38's which will lead it to able landing. Such escort may join the airplane prior to arrival at Ie Shima.

MACARTHUR

 

[syscom3]

August 17th 1945

INDONESIA: "Proclamation of Indonesian Independence", signed by Sukarno-Hatta. Tan Malaka, a former Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) leader, returns secretly from exile and reveals his identity in Jakarta and draws a large following.
Throughout this month and September, the euphoria of revolution spreads across the country, while local Japanese commanders and their troops often abandon urban areas to avoid confrontation. Many discreetly allowed Indonesian youths to acquire arms. Republican youths take over infrastructure facilities in Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Surakarta, Malang and Bandung with little or no Japanese resistance. Mass pro-Republic rallies are held in Jakarta and Surabaya. Sukarno successfully convinces crowds to disperse without challenging the Japanese, thus further boosting his reputation as the only one able to prevent massive violence. Revolutionary spirit also emerges in literature and the arts. PETA (not the animal rights group. Indonesian Pembela Tanah Air - Defenders of the Homeland) forces, radical youths, and ordinary people in Jakarta organize defense of Sukarno's residence. Flyers are distributed proclaiming independence. Adam Malik sends out a shortwave announcement of the Proklamasi.

CHINA - Fourteenth Air Force: Unit moves in China: 91st Fighter Squadron, 81st FG, from Fungwanshan to Huhsien with P-47s; detachment of the 426th Night Fighter Squadron, Fourteenth AF (attached to 312th Fighter Wing), at Hsian returns to base at Shwangliu with P-61s.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Unit moves to Okinawa: HQ 417th BG and 672d and 675th Bombardment Squadrons from San Jose, Mindoro with A-20s; 7th and 8th Fighter Squadrons, 49th FG, from Lingayen Airfield with P-38s.

 

[syscom3]

August 18th 1945

JAPAN: The last US casualty of the war.
On 18 August, four B-32 Dominators were given the task of photographing many of the targets covered on the previous day; however, mechanical problems caused two to be pulled from the flight. Over Japan, a formation of 14 A6M Zeros and three N1K2-J Shiden-Kai fighters (as is often the case, Shiden-Kai is described as Ki-44 Tojo, but it may be misunderstanding of the crews) attacked the remaining two U.S. aircraft. Saburo Sakai, a Japanese ace, said later there was concern that the Dominators were attacking. Another Japanese ace, Sadamu Komachi, stated in a 1978 Japanese magazine article that the fighter pilots could not bear to see American bombers flying serenely over a devastated Tokyo. The B-32 Dominator Hobo Queen II (s/n 42-108532) was flying at 20,000 ft when the Japanese fighters took off and received no significant damage. Hobo Queen II claimed two Zeros destroyed in the action as well as a probable Shiden-Kai. The other Dominator was flying 10,000 ft below Hobo Queen II when the fighters took off. The fighters heavily damaged that Dominator and seriously wounded two crew members. Photographer Staff Sergeant Joseph Lacharite was wounded in the legs (his recovery required several years). Sergeant Anthony Marchione, a photographer's assistant, helped Lacharite and then was fatally wounded himself. Despite the damage it received, the Dominator was able to return to Okinawa. Marchione was the last American to die in air combat in World War II. On 19 August, propellers were removed from all Japanese fighters as per the terms of the cease fire agreement.

INDONESIA: August 18 PPKI moves to form an interim government with Sukarno as President and Hatta as Vice-President.
Piagam Jakarta (Jakarta Charter) mentioning Islam among the Pancasila principles is dropped from the preamble to the new constitution.
New Republic consists of 8 provinces: Sumatra, Borneo, West Java, Central Java, East Java, Sulawesi, Maluku, and Sunda Kecil.

JAPAN: Royal family visits military commands to confirm the will of the Emperor is to surrender.

CHINA THEATER - Tenth Air Force: The 19th Liaison Squadron, Tenth AF, moves from Chengkung to Nanning, China with L-1s and L-5s.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Unit moves to Okinawa: 2d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 22d BG (Heavy), from Clark Field, Luzon with B-24s; 673d Bombardment Squadron, 417th BG, from San Jose, Mindoro with A-20s.

 

[syscom3]

August 19th 1945

FRENCH INDOCHINA: Ho Chi Minh take power in Hanoi, Vietnam (French Indochina.) On August 19, 1945, the Việt Minh under Hồ Chí Minh began the August General Uprising [Tổng Khởi Nghĩa], which was soon renamed the August Revolution (Vietnamese: Cách mạng tháng Tám). Whether or not this series of events should be called a "revolution" is disputable; what is clear is that, from August 19 onwards, demonstrations and uprisings against French colonial rule broke out in cities and towns throughout Vietnam. Given that Japan had surrendered to the [Allies of World War II|Allies]] at the end of World War II, the Japanese forces in Indochina stepped aside and allowed nationalist groups to take over public buildings in most of the major cities. While the Japanese allowed the nationalist groups free run of the country, they kept former French officials imprisoned.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: On August 19, 1945, two B-25Js of the 345th BG and 80th FS P-38 Lightings escort two "Betty" bombers. The Japanese aircraft carry a delegation from Tokyo enroute to Manila to meet General MacArthur's staff to work out details of the surrender. The "Betty's" are painted all white with green crosses on the wings, fuselage and vertical tail surface and use the call signs Bataan I and Bataan II. The deligation lands at Ie Shima, and the are flown to Manila aboard a C-54. After the meeting, they returned to Ie Shima. One of the two Bettys crashed on its way back to Japan out of fuel, due to conversion of a liter were mistaken from the gallon. The crew was helped by local fisherman, and returned to Tokyo by train.

CHINA - Fourteenth Air Force: Unit moves in China: 16th Fighter Squadron, 51st FG from Chengkung to Nanning with P-51s (the detachment at Pakhoi also moves to Nanning); detachment of 426th Night Fighter Squadron, Fourteenth AF (attached to 312th Fighter Wing), at Liangshan returns to base at Shwangliu with P-61s.

 

[syscom3]

August 20th 1945

SOUTH EAST ASIA: U.S. Navy patrol planes reconnoiter Indochina and south China coasts. During the missions, Japanese fighters attempt to intercept them.

JAPAN: Soviet occupation of Kurils

CHINA - Fourteenth Air Force: The 92d Fighter Squadron, 81st FG, moves from Fungwanshan to Huhsien, China with P-47s.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: HQ 2d Combat Cargo Group and 7th and 8th Combat Cargo Squadrons move from Dulag to Bolo Airfield with C-46s.

IJN: G4M1 Betty "Bataan 1" force lands off the coast of Japan after returning from Ie Shima Airfield with surrender delegation.

 

[syscom3]

Aug 21st 1945

USA: US President Truman orders Lend-Lease aid to stop. This action stands in stark contrast to the earlier generosity of Lend-Lease or later the Marshall Plan. The Lend-Lease program shipped some $50 billion in aid to America's allies during World War II.

CHINA: Chinese civil war breaks out : Communist Mao vs. Chiang Kai-shek. Battle of the Junks -- last surface fight of WW2 Overloaded Japanese junk tried to commandeer two smaller junks using an army howitzer, but they were manned by American-Chinese guerilla force on way to rescue POWs and armed with bazookas, machine guns, and grenades. First boarding by marines of enemy at sea in over 100 years.

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS (Eleventh Air Force): 2 B-24s are prevented by cloud cover from taking photos of the Soviet occupation of the Kurile Islands; 4 others abort a photo mission to Paramushiru and Shimushu due to weather.
Tenth Air Force: The 71st Liaison Squadron, Tenth AF, moves from Kunming to Liuchow, China with UC-64s, L-1s and L-5s.

Fourteenth Air Force: The detachment of the 426th Night Fighter Squadron, Fourteenth AF (attached to 312th Fighter Wing), operating from Ankang, China with P-61s, returns to base at Shwangliu.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: The 408th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 22d BG (Heavy), moves from Clark Field, Luzon to Okinawa with B-24s.

 

[syscom3]

Aug 22nd 1945

HONG KONG: Japanese AA near Hong Kong fire upon navy patrol planes.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: C-47 units arriving on Okinawa from Hawaii: 311th Troop Carrier Squadron, US Army Forces, Middle Pacific; and 316th Troop Carrier Squadron, Seventh AF.

MANCHURIA: The Japanese Kwantung Army surrenders in Manchuria, China. Soviet forces capture Port Arthur and Darien.

PACIFIC: The Japanese commander of Mille Atoll in the Marshalls surrenders to the Americans; this is the first Japanese garrison to capitulate.