September 8, 1945
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

SATURDAY, 8 SEPTEMBER 1945

USAAF: The U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) canceled the B-32 Dominator program with only 118 built and the remainder of the order was cancelled.

5th AF: Lost is B-25H Mitchell 43-4915 (MIA) on an administrative flight bound for Biak but crashed into the mountains in western New Guinea.

Royal Australian Navy: HMAS Vendetta (D69) transports Allied Prisoners Of War (POWs) liberated from Rabaul and Watom Island to Jacquinot Bay where they are hospitalized the Australian Army 2/8th General Hospital and interrogated about their experiences in captivity. On southern Bougainville the Japanese surrender delegation embarks aboard HMAS Diamantina (K377) and are transported to Empress Augusta Bay and disembarked at Torokina to formerly surrender ceremony.

Australian Army: Japanese surrender delegation led by Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) Lieutenant General M. Kanda commander 17th Army and Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) Vice Admiral Baron Tomoshige Samejima plus their senior staff for a formal surrender ceremony at headquarters of 2 Corps at Torokina. Their surrender is accepted by Australian Army Lt General Stanley G. Savige, commander 2 Corps.

RNZAF: Last mission flown by RNZAF Catalinas was when Wing Commander Smith and Flying Officer Regan dropped surrender leaflets over Nauru Island and Ocean Island both still occupied by the Japanese.

USMC: Marines locate F6F Hellcat 71441 painted in Japanese markings with tail code ヨ-801 (Yokosuka Kōkūtai) at Yokosuka Airfield.

U.S. Army: Lt. Gen. John R. Hodge arrive at Incheon to accept the surrender of Japanese forces south of the 38th Parallel on the Korean Peninsula.