Surrender on Bougainville

Accession Number F07297
Collection type Film
Measurement 1 min 16 sec
Object type To be confirmed
Physical description 35mm/b&w/silent
Maker Scale, Clement Stewart
Place made Pacific Islands: Solomon Islands, Bougainville, North Bougainville, Bonis Peninsula, Pacific Islands: Solomon Islands, Bougainville, South Bougainville, Mivo River Area
Date made 15 August 1945; 18 August 1945
Access Open
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Copyright

Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain

Public Domain Mark This item is in the Public Domain

Description

Prior to the Japanese surrender, announced at 10.00 hours 15 August 1945, RAAF and Royal New Zealand Air Force planes dropped millions of leaflets to Japanese troops in the jungle advising them of the position. On 16 August 1945, leaflets calling the Japanese to send envoys to contact the Australian forces were distributed. On 18 August 1945, at 11.30 hours, the first official Japanese envoy party crossed the Mivo River Ford as per instructions and were taken to HQ 3 Australian Division at Toko where they were interrogated. This was the first approach by envoys on any front. 260772 Squadron Leader Philip Sydney Kenneth Ashton, OC 10 Local Air Supply Unit, on right, discussing with 73656 Sergeant Ashley Leonard Chapman, RAAF. Japanese envoy Major Otsu, personal envoy from General Kanda, Commander 17 Army Group, on left, and Superior Private Takismita, who is holding a large white surrender flag and also the Japanese flag. Group of officers, 227 (NX176126, NX322) Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Frances George Hassett OBE, General Staff Officer 1 3rd Division; 250658 (NX38) Lt Col Thomas Henry Francis Winchester OBE, Adjutant-General 3rd Division; NX104 Brigadier Keith Earl O'Connell, Commander, Royal Artillery 3rd Division, Major J. R. Burrell MC, Brigade Major 29th Brigade, at 3 Australian Division HQ at Toko, Bougainville.

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