August 29, 1945
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

WEDNESDAY, 29 AUGUST 1945

Japan: General MacArthur is appointed supreme commander of the Allied occupying force in Japan. LIberated from Omori POW Camp are Allied Prisoners Of War (POW) including Major Gregory "Pappy" Boyington.

USN: U.S. Navy (USN) warships with minesweepers enter Tokyo Bay and USS Missouri (BB-63) and USS Iowa (BB-61) anchor off Yokosuka.

20th AF: Lost is B-29 "Hog Wild" 44-70136 on a mission to air drop supplies over Konan Camp when shot down by Soviet fighters. The crew survived and were interned until September 16, 1945.

U.S. Navy: Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Commander-in-Chief Pacific Fleet, arrives in Tokyo Bay on board PB2Y, and breaks his flag in battleship South Dakota (BB-57).

Submarine Segundo (SS-398) encounters Japanese submarine I 401 off northeast coast of Honshu, and "after considerable negotiation," places prize crew on board.

TG 30.6 (Commodore Rodger W. Simpson) arrives in Tokyo Bay to undertake emergency evacuation of Allied POWs in waterfront areas. Guided by TBMs from small carrier Cowpens (CVL-25) and taken to the scene by LCVPs from high speed transport Gosselin (APD-126), Commodore Simpson carries out his orders. The appearance of the LCVPs off the camp at Omori (the first liberated) triggers "an indescribable scene of jubilation and emotion" by the former captives, some of whom swim out to the approaching landing craft.

Japanese garrisons on Halmahera and Morotai surrender.

Royal Navy: A Japanese delegation including Captain Hidaka discussed the surrender of Japanese forces aboard HMS Nelson (28).