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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

General MacArthur Arrives at Atsugi, 30 August 1945

When President Truman announced Japan's capitulation, he placed General of the Army Douglas MacArthur in charge of the surrender and occupation of Japan, under the title Supreme Commander Allied Powers (SCAP). Though the first two weeks of this mission were directed from Manila, on 30 August MacArthur flew to Japan. Arriving at Atsugi airfield, he established temporary headquarters some twenty miles away, at the Tokyo Bay city of Yokohama. Arrangements for the formal surrender ceremonies were made there. SCAP headquarters moved to Tokyo on 8 September, beginning six years of occupation government from the Japanese capital city.

This page features photographs of General MacArthur's arrival at Atsugi airfield.

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 #: USA C-1732 (Color)

General of the Army Douglas MacArthur, U.S. Army

(second from right)

With other senior Army officers, upon his arrival at Atsugi airdrome, near Tokyo, Japan, 30 August 1945.
Among those present are:
Major General Joseph M. Swing, Commanding General, 11th Airborne Division, (left);
Lieutenant General Richard K. Sutherland (3rd from right);
General Robert L. Eichelberger (right).
Aircraft in the background is a Douglas C-54.

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

Online Image: 90KB; 740 x 605 pixels

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

 

Photo #: NH 84346

General of the Army Douglas MacArthur
(center)

Talks with Allied and Japanese newsmen after his arrival at Atsugi airfield, Japan, on 30 August 1945.
Standing behind General MacArthur, at right, is General Robert L. Eichelberger.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 111KB; 740 x 600 pixels

 


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



Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

9 March 1999