40,000 Japanese negotiate surrender: Halmahera Force

Six Patrol Torpedo boats left Morotai for the Halmaheras for a rendezvous with the Japanese Commander of the Moluccas Lieutentant General Ischii who commanded 40,000 troops on the Halmaheras and Morotai. The Japanese party consisted of seven officers and two other ranks. General Ischii led the party who and was accompanied by his Operations Officer Colonel Koshigi and his adjutant Captain Wamachi. American interpreter 1st Lieutenant Irwin Kline of New York City took down the names and appointments of the officers as they arrived and they were presented to Brigadier General Warren H McNaught Assistant Divisional Commander 93 Division who refused to return salutes offered to him by the officers. The Japanese Naval Party was led by Captain Fujita accompanied by his adjutant and the fleet Surgeon. They all carried their Samurai swords and were escorted to Morotai where negotiations were still in progress. RAAF Catalinas covered the operation.