August 20, 1945
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

MONDAY, 20 AUGUST 1945

CHINA: Fourteenth Air Force: The 92d Fighter Squadron, 81st Fighter Group, moves from Fungwanshan to Huhsien, China with P-47s.

USSR: A cease fire is signed between Soviet forces and the Japanese garrison on Shumshu ending the last battle of World War II. In Manchuria, Soviet forces occupy Harbin.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: HQ 2d Combat Cargo Group and 7th and 8th Combat Cargo Squadrons move from Dulag to Bolo Airfield with C-46s.

U.S. Army: The Japanese emissaries to Manila received General Order No. 1. Under its terms, the Japanese commanders of forces in the Pacific islands south of Japan would surrender to CinCPOA or his representatives, and the commanders of forces in Japan proper, the Philippines, and the southern section of Korea would surrender to CinCSWPA or his representatives.

RAN: Daihatsu landing barge transporting Japanese envoys including Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) Captain Takenaka with civilian interpreter Mr. Takahashi representing Lt. General Masatane Kanda, commander of the 17 Army Group departs Kahili (Buin) escorted by ML818 to HMAS Lithgow (J206) proceeds to Empress Augusta Bay and disembarks them at Torokina for a meeting at headquarters 2 Corps to discuss the surrender of the Japanese forces on southern Bougainville.

U.S. Navy: A typhoon forced Admiral Halsey to postpone the date of the landing at Yokosuka from the originally scheduled for August 25, 1945.

Vice Admiral George D. Murray, USN, Commander, Marianas, organized the Marianas Surrender Acceptance and Occupation Command (Task Group 94.3) to standardize the conduct of the surrender and occupation program. It was comprised of the Truk, Bonins, and Palau Occupation Units, the Guam Evacuation Unit, and three other units commanded by naval officers.

Task Force 31 (TF 31) under Rear Admiral Oscar C. Badger is formed to assume responsibility for the occupation of Yokosuka.

Navy patrol planes reconnoiter Indochina and south China coast; Japanese fighters attempt to intercept them.

USMC: The 4th Regimental Combat Team arrives on Guam and is assigned to occupation duty in Japan and joins Task Force 31 (TF 31).