Soviets secure Manchuria; emperor of Vietnam abdicates; Japanese surrender in China

World War 2 70th Anniversary - Exhibit and resources from Government Documents and Maps Department, UHM

August 23, 2015-August 29, 2015
Location: Government Documents

Two weeks after the Japanese emperor's broadcast of defeat, the first major contingent of Allied occupation forces land near Tokyo, but not before voluminous amounts of documents have been destroyed by the Japanese military and civilian agencies. The occupation, based on the Potsdam Declaration for the demilitarization and democratization of conquered Japan, will be prosecuted by the Americans and ultimately last 6 years and 8 months. Despite having been briefed in preparation, both sides can not know what to expect in this unprecedented cross-cultural engagement. General Douglas MacArthur, designated Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers and authorized over Emperor Hirohito, is ordered last minute to govern indirectly, relying on existing Japanese organs of government.

In the Soviet Far East, the Red Army continues its advance. Effective upon V-J Day, America's Lend-Lease shipments halt, but this loss will be made up by dismantling Manchuria, shipping materials as well as people to the USSR.

See the nautical chart of Tokyo Bay showing anchorages for Allied vessels, possibly for the surrender ceremony Sept. 2, displayed on the TV monitor in Hamilton Library lobby (August only).

Newsmap. Monday, 3 September, 1945: week of 21 August to 28 August. Text describes American occupation of Japan beginning 28 August, 1945 and is keyed to map. Map shows eastern central coast of Japan. Inset shows map of Japan. Verso: Armed forces radio. Text describes stations and programs. World maps shows locations of AFRS stations, AFRS hospital systems in the U.S., commercial and government stations airing AFRS programs.

View this map in print in the Map Collection reading room, ground floor of UHM Hamilton Library, the week of 23 August 2015
View this map online through the University of North Texas Digital Library (http://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc856/)

Notes: Newsmaps were color posters issued by the U.S. Army and the Government Printing Office (GPO) on Mondays during the World War II. They combine maps, images, and news from the previous week’s war effort.