Pacific

• The Allied 3rd Fleet, including US, British, Commonwealth and Dutch warships, anchors at Sagami Bay, within sight of Mount Fujiyama.
• Two Japanese submarines surrender to four US destroyers off Honshu, Japan.

Images from August 27, 1945

Sailors on the bow of USS Nicholas (DD-449) watch the Japanese destroyer Hatsuzakura steaming in company off Tokyo Bay, 27 August 1945. The Japanese ship had brought out several naval officers and harbor pilots for a conference on USS Missouri concerning the entry of the Third fleet into Sagami Wan and Tokyo Bay. Note radars, depressed gun barrels, Japanese naval ensign and other details of this Tachibana class destroyer. (Credit: Naval Historical Center)

Japanese Destroyer in Tokyo Bay

A Japanese naval officer boards Missouri with charts of Sagami and Tokyo Bays, for a piloting conference with Admiral William F. Halsey’s staff, 27 August 1945. This conference was held to prepare for the entrance of US Third Fleet and British Pacific Fleet ships into the bays for the Japanese surrender ceremonies. (Credit: Naval Historical Center)

Preparing for Surrender Ceremonies

Japanese officers’ briefcases are searched for possible weapons, in the wardroom of USS Nicholas (DD-449), as the destroyer carried them to confer with Allied representatives concerning the entry of U.S. and British warships into Sagami Wan and Tokyo Bay, 27 August 1945. Nicholas’s Executive Officer, Lieutenant Commander Raynha Townshend, USNR, is in the left center. (Credit: Naval Historical Center)

Japanese Officers’ Briefcases Are Searched

Two US Navy officers examine a Japanese officer’s sword, on board USS Nicholas (DD-449), 27 August 1945. The Japanese were on board to provide piloting services for Third Fleet ships entering Sagami Wan and Tokyo Bay. Note other Japanese swords and sword belts on the table in the foreground. (Credit: Naval Historical Center)

Japanese To Provide Piloting Services