Japanese envoys meet Australians

The three Services plan for the Japanese surrender at Bougainville. Leaflets are printed informing the Japanese of the surrender by their Emperor and the dropping of the Atomic bombs. Shot of a Bristol Beaufort with large Japanese characters painted under the wings declaring that Japan has surrendered. Leaflet drops by Beauforts informing of the surrender and the initial surrender instructions. On 18 August the Official Japanese envoy party consisting of Major Otsu and Superior Private Takeshita cross the Mivo River and enter the Australian lines. They are blindfolded by Private V.N. Spartalis of D Company 15th Battalion and then taken to 3 Div. H.Q. for interogation by Brigadier A.R. Garrett HQ 2 Corps. After the interogation they are taken back to the Mivo ford with the next instructions. On 20 August at sea off Buin a Japanese barge carrying an envoy from Lieut.-General Kanda commander of the 17 Army Group is escorted by Australian Fairmile motor launch ML 818 to HMAS Lithgow commandered by Commander Fowler. The envoys are searched at pistol point before the discussion of the surrender arrangements. A message is sent back to Lieut.-General Kanda while the envoys remain on HMAS Lithgow. See also F07297 & F07299 for coverage by Military History Section.