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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 II

This page features pictures related to the evacuation of prisoners of war from Tokyo Bay area camps and their receipt on board Navy ships on 29-30 August 1945.

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

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-490447

Surrender of Japan, 1945


An Allied prisoner of war lies weakly on his cot, almost reduced to a bundle of bones by ill-treatment at the hands of the Japanese. Photographed upon the arrival of a U.S. Navy rescue team at the Aomori prison camp, near Yokohama, Japan, 29-30 August 1945.
Note attendant's Japanese-style cap with U.S. Navy Corpsman insignia.
An inflatable life jacket is hanging on the wall, at top right.

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

Online Image: 85KB; 585 x 765 pixels

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

 

Photo #: 80-G-490446

Surrender of Japan, 1945


Gaunt Allied prisoners of war pack up to leave after the arrival of U.S. Navy rescuers, at the Aomori prison camp, near Yokohama, Japan, 29-30 August 1945. The rescue mission was led by Commodore Rodger W. Simpson and Commander Harold Stassen.
Prisoners were suffering from malnutrition and other disorders. Their treatment as POWs was described as an "inquisitional form of barbarism."

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

Online Image: 89KB; 740 x 605 pixels

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

 

Photo #: 80-G-490458

Surrender of Japan, 1945


An Allied prisoner of war, too emaciated to walk, is carried aboard a small craft for transportation to a U.S. Navy hospital ship in Tokyo Bay, 30 August 1945. He had been rescued from the Aomori POW camp, near Yokosuka, by a team led by Commodore Rodger Simpson and Commander Harold Stassen.
Emergency medical and food supplies are in the background, including one container labeled "U.S. Navy Battle Ration".

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

Online Image: 92KB; 740 x 605 pixels

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

 

Photo #: 80-G-490452

USS Benevolence (AH-13)


Released prisoner of war Alfred Sorenson, U.S. Army, contemplates a full meal in one of the hospital ship's wards, 30 August 1945. Navy Nurse Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Asplan is assisting.
Sorenson had been captured at Corregidor on 6 May 1942. He was rescued from a POW camp in the Tokyo area.

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

Online Image: 79KB; 740 x 605 pixels

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

 

Photo #: 80-G-338187

Surrender of Japan, 1945


Former U.S. Navy prisoners of war on board USS Reeves (APD-52) in Tokyo Bay, Japan, after being transferred from USS Benevolence (AH-13), 30 August 1945. They had just been liberated from the Nisson Mills Camp # 2, in the Tokyo Area.

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

Online Image: 96KB; 740 x 615 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 I

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