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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 --

Formal Surrender of Japan, 2 September 1945 --
Aircraft Flyover as the Ceremonies Conclude

As the surrender ceremonies concluded, 450 carrier planes from the Third Fleet passed in massed formation over USS Missouri. A few minutes later, Army Air Forces B-29 bombers flew by. This noisily impressive demonstration underscored the power that had brought Japan and the Allies to this time and place.

This page features photographs of the aircraft flyover at the end of the surrender ceremonies.

For a special selection of views of the 2 September 1945 Japanese surrender ceremonies, and for links to other views of the ceremonies, see: Formal Surrender of Japan, 2 September 1945 -- Selected and Miscellaneous Views.

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-472630

Surrender of Japan, Tokyo Bay, 2 September 1945


U.S. Navy carrier planes fly in formation over USS Missouri (BB-63) during the surrender ceremonies, 2 September 1945.
Photographed by Lieutenant Barrett Gallagher, USNR, from atop Missouri's forward 16-inch gun turret.
Aircraft types include F4U, TBM and SB2C. Ship in the right distance is USS Ancon (AGC-4).

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

Online Image: 66KB; 620 x 660 pixels

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

 

Photo #: 80-G-421130

Surrender of Japan, 2 September 1945


Navy carrier planes fly in formation over the U.S. and British fleets in Tokyo Bay during surrender ceremonies.
USS Missouri (BB-63), where the ceremonies took place, is at left. USS Detroit (CL-8) is in the right distance.
Aircraft include TBM, F6F, SB2C and F4U types.

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

Online Image: 58KB; 740 x 610 pixels

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

 

Photo #: SC 211863

Surrender of Japan, Tokyo Bay, 2 September 1945


Navy carrier aircraft from Task Force 38 fly in formation over USS Missouri (BB-63), in center, and other U.S. and British naval vessels in Tokyo Bay, during the surrender ceremonies in the morning of 2 September 1945.

Photograph from the Army Signal Corps Collection in the U.S. National Archives.

Online Image: 50KB; 740 x 615 pixels

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

 

Photo #: SC 211875

Surrender of Japan, Tokyo Bay, 2 September 1945


USAAF B-29 bombers fly in formation over USS Missouri (BB-63), during the surrender ceremonies, 2 September 1945. Photographed from on board the ship, looking up past her forward superstructure, which is crowded with spectators and photographers.

Photograph from the Army Signal Corps Collection in the U.S. National Archives.

Online Image: 86KB; 595 x 765 pixels

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

 

Photo #: NH 62593

Surrender of Japan, Tokyo Bay, 2 September 1945


A formation of U.S. Navy carrier aircraft fly over part of the Third Fleet, at the end of World War II.
Photographed from an aircraft carrier. It was probably taken outside of Tokyo Bay as the planes formed up for their pass over the surrender ceremonies in Tokyo Bay on 2 September, or upon their return to their carriers afterwards.
Aircraft include SB2C, F4U and TBM types.

Collection of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, USN.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 106KB; 740 x 610 pixels

 


For a special selection of views of the 2 September 1945 Japanese surrender ceremonies, and for links to other views of the ceremonies, see: Formal Surrender of Japan, 2 September 1945 -- Selected and Miscellaneous Views.

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


Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

Links revised 7 March 1999