Surrender At Sea

Just before 0900 hours, General MacArthur came aboard and met with Adms. [Chester] Nimitz and [William] Halsey. After a few handshakes among the officers who were there, they went up the ladder and into the captain’s cabin, the three of them, to converse. They weren’t in there too long, maybe five to 10 minutes, when the Japanese contingent came aboard: 11 of them. The officers were in those funny little felt hats they have with a peak. [Mamoru] Shigemitsu, the Japanese foreign minister, who was charged with signing the surrender papers, had a cane and an artificial leg. As he was escorted up to the signing platform, he walked with a stagger, very unsteady. It took him quite a while to come the 10 or 12 feet to the signing table.

The Americans and all the representatives from the other nations were already standing behind the table. Then MacArthur came out of the captain’s cabin with Admirals Nimitz and Halsey. MacArthur barely looked at the Japanese. He was very grim. His attitude was “Let’s get this business done and over and get them out of here.” He obviously didn’t like the Japanese at all. And they looked as though they were waiting for the hangman to give his verdict at a trial. They didn’t know what was going to happen or what to do. I guess they were in a sort of shock.

MacArthur gave a short speech, something to the effect that he hoped this brought world peace. Just enough to get the session started. He motioned with his head, and Shigemitsu stepped forward to the signing table, with his aide along with him. Shigemitsu sat down, took off his hat and put it on the table. Then he took off his gloves. His aide opened his briefcase and took some papers out, probably for their own records. We already had two documents on the table, which were very large. He signed the first document, but before the second one he hesitated. Gen. [Joseph] Stilwell came over and did a little motion with his finger, explaining where he should sign. MacArthur looked at Shigemitsu with contempt.

Then MacArthur sat down on the other side of the table, and he signed. I’d say the whole thing took 10 minutes. It was very brief. There was a lot of silence. Everything was very quiet. As soon as the signing was over, MacArthur said, “These proceedings are ended.” And he turned and walked away. He just ignored Shigemitsu. Shigemitsu put on his hat, and the Japanese were escorted down. I don’t think they were on board for more than half an hour, tops.

title: “Surrender At Sea” ShowToc: true date: “2023-02-01” author: “Kit Carlin”

Just before 0900 hours, General MacArthur came aboard and met with Adms. [Chester] Nimitz and [William] Halsey. After a few handshakes among the officers who were there, they went up the ladder and into the captain’s cabin, the three of them, to converse. They weren’t in there too long, maybe five to 10 minutes, when the Japanese contingent came aboard: 11 of them. The officers were in those funny little felt hats they have with a peak. [Mamoru] Shigemitsu, the Japanese foreign minister, who was charged with signing the surrender papers, had a cane and an artificial leg. As he was escorted up to the signing platform, he walked with a stagger, very unsteady. It took him quite a while to come the 10 or 12 feet to the signing table.

The Americans and all the representatives from the other nations were already standing behind the table. Then MacArthur came out of the captain’s cabin with Admirals Nimitz and Halsey. MacArthur barely looked at the Japanese. He was very grim. His attitude was “Let’s get this business done and over and get them out of here.” He obviously didn’t like the Japanese at all. And they looked as though they were waiting for the hangman to give his verdict at a trial. They didn’t know what was going to happen or what to do. I guess they were in a sort of shock.

MacArthur gave a short speech, something to the effect that he hoped this brought world peace. Just enough to get the session started. He motioned with his head, and Shigemitsu stepped forward to the signing table, with his aide along with him. Shigemitsu sat down, took off his hat and put it on the table. Then he took off his gloves. His aide opened his briefcase and took some papers out, probably for their own records. We already had two documents on the table, which were very large. He signed the first document, but before the second one he hesitated. Gen. [Joseph] Stilwell came over and did a little motion with his finger, explaining where he should sign. MacArthur looked at Shigemitsu with contempt.

Then MacArthur sat down on the other side of the table, and he signed. I’d say the whole thing took 10 minutes. It was very brief. There was a lot of silence. Everything was very quiet. As soon as the signing was over, MacArthur said, “These proceedings are ended.” And he turned and walked away. He just ignored Shigemitsu. Shigemitsu put on his hat, and the Japanese were escorted down. I don’t think they were on board for more than half an hour, tops.