September 16, 1945
World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

SUNDAY, 16 SEPTEMBER 1945

USAAF: The crew of B-29 Hog Wild" 44-70136 that bailed out near Hungnam and Hamhung in North Korea on August 29, 1945 are returned to U.S. custody afterwards, U.S. diplomatic maneuvering including the intervention of Supreme Allied Commander General Douglas MacArthur to negotiate their freedom.

Royal Navy: Japanese Prisoners Of War (POW) from Nauru Island are embarked aboard HMAS Glenelg (J236) and SS River Burdekin and depart bound for Torokina on Bougainville.

Australian Army: Surrender negotiations conclude began between 2 Corps and Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) Commander Takahashi and Captain E. Kato and Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) Lt. General M. Kanda who command the remaining Japanese garrison in northern Bougainville.

Royal Navy: Hong Kong officially surrendered to Royal Navy Rear Admiral Sir Cecil Harcourt at Government House. Rear Admiral Ruitaro Fujita signed on behalf of the Navy. Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) Major General U. Okada signed on behalf of the Army. After signing, both surrender their swords to Rear Admiral Harcourt. The ceremony was witnessed by Admiral Fraser, commander in chief of the British Pacific Fleet and officers from the United States, Canada and China.