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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
901 M STREET SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- EVENTS -- World War II in the Pacific -- Japan Capitulates --
Initial Occupation of Japan, 28 August - 2 September 1945

Liberation of Allied Prisoners of War in the Tokyo Bay Area, Part I

Before the occupation began, Admiral Halsey had prepared a special task group to quickly free Allied prisoners of war who were kept in the Tokyo Bay area. Commanded by Commodore Rodger W. Simpson, this group began operations on 29 August, rescuing prisoners from camps previously located by aerial reconnaissance and by other means. Many of the POWs, suffering from malnutrition and other health problems, required immediate medical care. The hospital ship Benevolence (AH-13) was stationed nearby to received them.

This page features pictures related to these prisoner of war recovery efforts.

For additional pictorial coverage of prisoner of war recovery activities, see: Liberation of Allied Prisoners of War in the Tokyo Bay Area, Part II

For aerial photographs of Tokyo Bay area prisoner of war camps, see: Carrier Planes Patrol Over Japan, August-September 1945 and Carrier Plane Patrols Over Japan, early September 1945.

For further pictorial coverage of the initial occupation of Japan, see:
Initial Occupation of Japan, 28 August - 2 September 1945 -- Overview and Special Image Selection.

For views of other aspects of Japan's surrender, see: Japan Capitulates, August - September 1945

If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: 80-G-700864

Commander Harold E. Stassen, USNR
, (left)
Flag Secretary to Commander, Third Fleet, Admiral William F. Halsey

Accompanies Commodore Rodger W. Simpson, USN, Commander, Task Group 30.6 (right), as they head for shore on a mission to rescue Allied prisoners of war at the Aomori camp near Yokohama, Japan, circa 29-30 August 1945.
Photograph was released for publication on 6 September 1945.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 79KB; 740 x 610 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 

Photo #: 80-G-473723

Commodore Rodger W. Simpson, USN
, Commander Task Group 30.6, (center)
and
Chaplain Charles Robinson, USN (right)

Questioning a Japanese soldier about a reported prisoner of war camp, in the Tokyo Area, 29-30 August 1945.
Simpson's TG 30.6 was specially organized to rescue prisoners of war from camps around Tokyo Bay.
Photographed by Lieutenant Wayne Miller, USNR

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 60KB; 670 x 675 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 

Photo #: 80-G-490444

Surrender of Japan, 1945


Allied prisoners of war cheering their rescuers, as the U.S. Navy arrives at the Aomori prison camp, near Yokohama, Japan, on 29 August 1945.
They are waving the flags of the United States, Great Britain and The Netherlands.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 106KB; 585 x 765 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 

Photo #: 80-G-490445

Surrender of Japan, 1945


Prisoners of war cheering their U.S. Navy rescuers, at the Aomori prison camp, near Yokohama, Japan, 29 August 1945.
A United States' flag is being held up in top center.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 104KB; 580 x 765 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 

Photo #: 80-G-473731

Surrender of Japan, 1945


Four Greek sailors, held prisoner in Japan since 1941, celebrate receipt of food dropped by U.S. planes, circa 29-30 August 1945.
They are in their former prison in a Franciscan convent in Saitama prefecture, about thirty miles north of Tokyo.
Man in center is holding a package of dehydrated green pea soup.
Photographed by Lieutenant Wayne Miller, USNR

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 109KB; 650 x 675 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 


For additional pictorial coverage of prisoner of war recovery activities, see: Liberation of Allied Prisoners of War in the Tokyo Bay Area, Part II

For aerial photographs of Tokyo Bay area prisoner of war camps, see: Carrier Planes Patrol Over Japan, August-September 1945 and Carrier Plane Patrols Over Japan, early September 1945.

For further pictorial coverage of the initial occupation of Japan, see:
Initial Occupation of Japan, 28 August - 2 September 1945 -- Overview and Special Image Selection.

For views of other aspects of Japan's surrender, see: Japan Capitulates, August - September 1945



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8 March 1999