What can NOT be seen in the film is the largest fly-over in history, as more than 2000 aircraft - most of the B-29 bomber fleet of that time took part - flew straight over Tokyo harbour. Must have been an impressive demonstration of military power to the Japanese officers and politicians. Well these remarkably sharp and color-true sequences indeed show history in the making!
How wonderful. I have just seen my dad in this film. He was one of the Royal Marines who was in the escort party of the British Dignitaries when they came across from HMS Duke of York. He said he was standing close enough to see the Japanese sign the treaty and was in his white uniform. I have only seen this in the black and white Pathe film before.
+William J Ford Unbelievable! Congratulations!! I also - more so now, when I myself become older - wonder what my dad did, when he was a Wehrmacht soldier for 6 years! He was really lucky to be released from a US POW camp near the Austrian border after a few weeks. I still have the photocopy of his release document! Greetings, Mike (michabutter@gmail.com)
+Michael Benno Butter Thank you Michael. War is never the right solution to man's problems, all it does is kill a lot of people who didn't want to be involved in the first place. I am sure that your father saw sights that he would have rather not seen and just like my dad never really talked about what happened and what he went through. I once worked with a man when I was about 17 who had no finger nails. He had been a soldier and been captured by the Japanese. He was just an ordinary soldier, but the Japanese thought that he might know about troop numbers or something and so tortured him by pulling out all his finger nails. This chap knew absolutely nothing, but suffered nightmares for the rest of his life about his time as a Japanese prisoner of war. Thankfully there is more or less peace in the world. We never again want to have to take up arms in combat. No one ever wins.
+jorge bazan . I think war causes more problems than it solves Jorge. Look at the problems facing Europe at the moment, all a result of a few weeks of War with Iraq and Libya.
+William J Ford What about ww2? Suppose we don't join the war and let nazi Germany take over the goddamn world?...NO What about when we fought for our freedom ( American Revolutionary War ) to build this " Great Nation" But oh no "war is bad" "It's never the solution" BS. Accept REALITY
My father was in one of the planes flying above the Missouri. It was his 25th birthday.He always said that it was the best birthday present he ever received. You know it was.
My Great Uncle, Samuel Roach, was stationed on the Mighty Mo. Every time I see a film or photos, I get a sense of pride knowing that he's there somewhere during the war and during the surrender ceremony. God Bless all the veterans for their service and courage!
+edro31111 I feel you man, my grand father served as the tail gunner on a Grumman TBF Avenger during Midway. He too was aboard the Mighty Mo, but rather just to see the surrender take place. I wish he would have told me where, but I feel what you said means more than just being able to point him out from a crowd. Rest in peace all those souls who fought for their country, regardless of which side and those who died in the crossfire.
This surrender was bittersweet for the Japanese people, but I would have been far worse if they had surrendered to the USSR. The communist powers at that time would have undoubtedly reduced the Japanese islands into a mass graveyard.
njdevil281 King Grievous The U.S. even allowed Japan's imperial family to stay intact, the emperor wasn't even charged with war crimes. In my opinion, they were VERY forgiving. Plus the American occupation gave Japan democracy and equal rights for women. Japan is better off today for it, make no mistake about that.
King Grievous How do you figure the USA reduced Japan to a "smouldering pile of ash"? The two bomb's you're referring to weren't near as big as you're implying in your statement. In fact, the vast majority Japan was left completely untouched. I know some people have a hard-on for the USA but why lie about them?
RyHerbs The USA realized BOTH countries suffered tremendous losses and saw no reason to put Japan through war crimes proceedings. Both countries wanted to put all this behind them and just move forward. I read some of the comments posted by some of these clowns who love running the USA down (and Americans in general) and it just makes me laugh because it really illustrates just who these people are and what they're really about. As with any other country, the USA has made plenty of mistakes but they've been far more generous to other countries than they could have been.
+flip inheck I live in Dresden. It was a raid with a mostly military background. Still the Wehrmacht posed a viable fighting force in the east. The Russians by the way, asked for this attack! Roughly 30 000 dead. Then the allies understood that it was enough. In some respect one can compare the Dresden bombing with those of Hiroshima and Nagasaki - but it would take too long to explain here. If you are interested: michabutter@gmail.com
I'm glad Japan surrendered and become good guys today. They are probably the toughest Asian nation having almost conquered Asia - Philipines, China, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, Korea. Even the Mongols lost to them 3 times!! Nobody wants to fight Japan again, i'm glad they on our side.
Very inspiring. I've never before seen this much footage of the surrender. I found your video whilst I was posting photos of my re-enlistment aboard the Might Mo in Long Beach, California in the early 90s. Thanks so much for sharing it with the rest of us.
@joefarry1: Unfortunately the hull number is out of focus. There is a chance it is USS Nicholas (DD-449). Several Japanese naval officers served as pilots for ships of the Third Fleet entering Tokyo Bay for the surrender. We have a presentation on our Online Library for this event, but TH-cam will not allow a direct hyperlink to it here in this comment. If you do a Google search on "JAPAN CAPITULATES - Rendezvous with Japanese Pilots" it should bring you to our page on this topic.
There's history...right there. Thanks for posting this epic event. I stood on that location in Fleet Week celebrations in the S.F. Bay in the mid 80's. I've also took a tour on the USS IOWA about two years ago in the Port of L.A.. Magnificent battleships!
that happened 67 years ago today, it is important to preserve this ,as someone who's grandfather was a zero pilot. great grandfather died fighting on the Yamato, and great uncle was in the imperial army in hiroshima at the time of the atomic bombing, I feel very connected to this past, and think it need to be preserved so its lessons are learned, and that the historythe lives lost, the planes and ships used are not forgottten, as many young people today don't care about WW2 sadly..
Amazing colour and fineness of focus and grain. The world truly looked different back then. That deck looked as neat as a pin. Utterly marvelous how the sky brightened as the ceremony was concluding. Extraordinary footage.
Awesome video. My grandfather was on ship during this standing somewhere onthe 3rd deck over looking the ceremony. I have not been able to find him in any of the videos by comparing faces to old photos we have of him but im still looking.
I would vote no on texit because I think it simply gives the US a reason to invade and plus who would trade with us? And Plus there's a lot of military bases here in Texas. But I don't think texit will happen
USS Louisville CA 28 repairs from the (2) kamikaze in January 1945 completed on April 10, 1945, Louisville delivered Admiral Halsey's 50 officers and 100 staff to the battleship Missouri BB 63 at Guam and Louisville returned to the Pacific to join TF 54 in providing gunfire support for ground forces on Okinawa. My dad who passed in 2017 at age 92 was on USS Louisville from 1943-46. A part of the greatest generation. God bless all service men and women - past and present! We saw Missouri and instrument of surrender in 1978 in Bremerton, WA.
THAT would have been a cool event to have attended. I can't imagine the thoughts of all those naval officers standing there............many of them had to be "pinching themselves" as they contemplated the thought that this war was FINALLY over. Also, I have often wondered if the Allied Forces had some concerns that this was simply a "trap" by the Japanese to get so many Allied ships into the harbor and then attack them. Wouldn't have surprised me in the least.
WVFreebyrd There actually was a plan devised by several Japanese air squadrons who did not intend to surrender when the American fleet arrived in Tokyo Bay to sign the surrender document. The plan was to fly the fast and deadly Osaka jet powered flying bombs into the arriving US ships in a last suicidal bonzai attack from the air that they hoped would result in the destruction of many vessels, but at the last moment their attempts were foiled by a Japanese lieutenant and several other men under his command who sabotaged the planes to prevent their use. They had heard of the horrific destruction the new atomic bombs had wreaked on Hiroshima and Nagasaki and they were wanted to prevent a third bomb attack at any cost. Reasoning prevailed over what would have been just another show of futile fanaticism for a cause that could only mean the destruction of the Japanese people.
the stories my grandfather told me who was stationed on CL-103, USS Wilkes-Barre was that they were alongside the Missouri during the signing. looking at a still pic of the wilkes-barre and freezing the video, they look pretty similar.
Film note: The American flag shown was the same one that flew in 1853 on the USS Powhatan during Commodore Perry's first expedition to Japan (per Wikipedia).
They wrote a check their asses couldn’t cash. Even without nukes we would have invaded. But I think we had one more bomb. I’d have dropped it on Tokyo too
@@boho3785 Invasion? Sure try that with Japans dedication. They would have sent you every man they had, for death in combat for the emperor is considered honourable. There was no way the Allies could have invaded mainland Japan without nuclear weapons.
Growing up hearing about this huge moment in our family lives along with the rest of America. This a listen along with other World War 2 in HD video just brings it home and more to life it's on fire as well Truly truly a good experience
Just a little comment: near the end (8:38) of the signing ceremony it was discovered, that the canadian official did a formal goof by signing the wrong place (a.f.a.i.k. the dotted line for the dutch official), so the japanese could not accept his fawlty copy of the surrendering note. There subsequently was some talk and 'conferencing about' on the spot, followed by an actual mending of the mishap by the american admiral in charge of the whole thing. Having to accept this mended copy of the surrender note is i.m.O. a far more humiliating thing to the japanese official, than the whole event. Tokyo Bay wasn't safe in sept.45, the japanese guaranteed the peacefullness of this final act.
...Okay now this looks very good,but next time try to include the addition of the Original Announcer or Narrators voice so we can both SEE and HEAR the proceedings of the SURRENDER and the VOICE of General Douglas MacArthur's speech...Then upload again...Thank you...And Shalom
I have two grandfathers and a bunch of great uncles who fought in the Pacific. From what they told me there are no hard feelings. And these days I have many friends in Japan.
+18tangles Well maybe they did, but they told me otherwise. One of my grandfathers served in New Caledonia and slaughtered the Japanese not much too hate when dead.
My grandfather was on the South Dakota, the flag ship of the Pacific fleet and the original ship they were going to sign the surrender on. What are the other ships sailing next to the Missouri?
Can't really tell which one in particular - the sun's angle puts the ship's # in the shade so we can't see it. But the ship sailing alongside for the personnel transfer was a Fletcher class destroyer. Wikipedia shows 21 ships of this class would have been at the ceremony though, sorry I can't narrow it down further.
Seeing in color really helps me to imagine the exact views in my mind. Seeing the waving flag, the ships cruising. Through film it's easy to just watch and then move on. Try imagining how it would really look through the human eye. It just makes me realize how BIG, for lack of a better term, life is. All those men, all of their stories, their different emotions. Then that amazing sunset after. I'm sure there were plenty of Japanese sailors on their ship after the surrender who looked at that, and said to a close friend, "there goes our country. Setting like the sun, done." Or something way more thought out and dramatic. There's so much to and in life.
That's true in part. The U.S. helped rebuild Japan because we didn't want another proxy soviet state. Communism would have been far worse than the fire bombing and nukes. What's life without freedom?
the biggest USA mistake is they did not ask Japan to hold the troop in Asia until British takeover during the surrender of Japan , French and Holland fail take back their colonized land , Vietnam and Indonesia, Instead Japanese soldier left their Wesson and gun to the independence fighter and free Asia, indirectly Japan have achieve their Goal to free Asia, Japan have won the objective of war even they have surrender
No, it is the wooden deck, what happens is that in wartime the nearly-white teakwood decking was customarily stained in seablue colour as a camouflaging measure; this was especially true in ships camouflaged in "dazzle" or spinter scheme, where seablue was a main color, Missouri had been on dazzle camo most of her WWII career, but just before the surrender was repainted...so...it looks steel because the wood's colour is not apparent, but if you look closely, you'll be able to see the planking...
The 'Mighty Mo' was in Sydney during the Royal Australian Navy's 75th anniversary in 1984. I went aboard and it was a truly amazing ship even then. I believe it is now in San Francisco. Is this correct?
My Grandfather was on board H.M.S. King George V. The table they used to sign the surrender on was from the ward room on KGV, apperently. Superb piece of film, glad it survived, unlike probably everybody in it.
I only by chance , stumbled upon this video . It still stirs my soul . Such a Moment in time , for the Ages . But i need the help of naval people . I am building a 1/350 scale model of BB-63 , and want to mark the exact location , where the Signing took place , on my model . I know that on BB-63 circa 1991 , there is a marker , where this event happened . I'd be grateful if some one could help me out . I am a baby boomer , but the USS Missouri is just such a magnificent Ship , i had to build her ......Yours Truly ....DGR
I was Stationed on board the USS Midway in the 1980s. I am so glad that the Allies never had to fight to take the main Islands. I saw all the tunnels dug into the mountains and the defenses that were still there. Yokusuka has a great many relics from the 40s. The old Battleship cranes are still there. Atsugi airbase is a cool place and you can see mount Fuji from there. Beautiful country. I presume a lot of lives were spared by not invading the home islands.
The USS Missouri BB 63 was not in WW2 until Jan 1945. The older battleships & older cruisers did the majority of the Island bombardment in the Pacific. My dad who is 92 years old now was a S1c on a 20 mm twin mount on the USS Louisville CA 28 which had 13 battle stars for her WW2 service. I toured the mothballed USS Missouri BB 63 in Bremerton, Wash. in 1978.
This is a piece of amazing u.s. and world history, depicting that the men and women of our greatest generation that did courageous acts of valor to end the biggest war in history so our service men and women did not die for nothing but to protect the greatest country on planet earth
This was after the surrender in August 1945 when Gen MacArthur accepted surrender of Japan in August, 1945 at the Manila City Hall where Gen MacArthur was holding office at that time.
One belated data point. Nearly all combat footage taken by the US Marines were in color. They were copied onto B&W for use in newsreels and theaters. As an example, the only footage of the second flag raising on Iwo was in color. The Marine who filmed it (Sgt. Genaust) never got to see it. He was KIA a few days later and is still unrecovered.
I fully agree, it is sad that our two nation had to go to war with each other. I'm glad that we have gained more as friends then as enemys but let us never forget that our friendship was built upon blood and fire.
McArthur had generals Wainright and Percival with him as his deputies, who had both been defeated and spent time as POW's. Each were given one of the pens that the surrender was signed with. McArthur kept one of the pens and donated it to West Point. He could be an insufferable ass at times but he was magnanimous and generous in victory.
USS Louisville CA 28 delivered Bull Halsey's 50 officers and 100 staff to USS Missouri BB 63 at Guam and Louisville returned to the Pacific to join TF 54 in providing firecover for ground forces on Okinawa.
I still wait for the day when Japan admits to it's culpability for beginning the Pacific War and the atrocities it inflicted upon the people of Asia and the Western pacific. The US was wrong in not placing on trial and executing, Emperor Hirohito.
+mark hollingsworth Mark, General McArthur, right from the start, insisted that Hirohito not be charged with war and crimes and be left in place as Emperor in the interests of helping maintain public moral in the aftermath of the war. McArthur also insisted that Japan be given every assistance to recover the economic mess that she had sunk into. It all worked!...even her Military took up the challenge to quickly create a strong, reliable ally for the USA!
+mark hollingsworth it's admitted to the comfort women (something us hasn't admitted to have continued to run mind you) and the concern with hirohito was a new sengoku jidai. i think its apologised to vietnam though.
A most significant "time capsule" of Amireca's greatest victory in World War II over the empire of Japan by the Greatest Generation as it also overcame Nazi Germany in Europe.
After watching footage of the attack on Pearl Harbor and of FDR's speech, I felt the need to watch this. My uncle was on one of the ships that accompanied the "Mighty Mo." I've never watched the actual surrender.
they was suppose to sign the peace treaty on the iowa bb61 it was first in japan harbor first of the iowas battleship to go battle in the sea my dad was on it
Korea got it's Freedom back. Thank you so much UN. I was able to be grow up as Korean where my ancestors lived for hundreds of years. Thank you. Peace. VVVVVVVVVVVVVVV
Peace does not come through diplomatic negotiations but through military victory. Only now that we have a President that knows it does N. KOREA want peace.
It is very sad that this year I have seen no mention whatsoever of VJ day. It seems that for many it just doesn't matter.. Despite the current political climate and scattered anarchy it deserves to be mentioned. 9-3-20
The US did not fight for its benefit. Like Joel West said above, they had no choice but to stop the Japanese in its track because they showed no hint of stopping and after PH, it was enough.
Well, folks . . . quit trying to re-fight WWII. Half of you don't know what your're talking about anyway---as usual on the Internet. Now---for something REALLY important; I was hoping that the shots of Tokyo Bay might show the submarine from which future actor Tony Curtis witnessed the ceremony. And I believe it was the Japanese signer in formal-coat and using a cane, who went home immediately afterward and sliced his guts out all over his futon. Gary in Arizona
What an amazing life Tony Curtis had.Watching his movies I never realised he was a WW2 veteran.Was a serious painter too,his easel and brushes acompanied him everywhere even when on location.
The military leaders that wanted to fight on to the last child should have been publicly executed.At least some of them killed themselves but that wasn't good enough,their carcasses should have hung with the rest of them.
Ambassador Mamoru Shigemitsu did not commit suicide. At the insistence of the Soviet Union he was tried and convicted of war crimes. After he was paroled in 1950, he continued his political career in Japan. He died in January 1957.
I do hope your opinion has changed in 5 years, although ww2 certainly progressed technology by leaps, there really is very little chance for war anymore (apart from extremists), unless Russia does something outrageous in eastern europe. A war against another species would probably also divide us unless it was similar to pearl harbour, i.e they strike first, otherwise people would rather learn more about them and try to establish trade and relations instead of trying to dominate them.
What can NOT be seen in the film is the largest fly-over in history, as more than 2000 aircraft - most of the B-29 bomber fleet of that time took part - flew straight over Tokyo harbour. Must have been an impressive demonstration of military power to the Japanese officers and politicians. Well these remarkably sharp and color-true sequences indeed show history in the making!
How wonderful. I have just seen my dad in this film. He was one of the Royal Marines who was in the escort party of the British Dignitaries when they came across from HMS Duke of York. He said he was standing close enough to see the Japanese sign the treaty and was in his white uniform. I have only seen this in the black and white Pathe film before.
+William J Ford Unbelievable! Congratulations!! I also - more so now, when I myself become older - wonder what my dad did, when he was a Wehrmacht soldier for 6 years! He was really lucky to be released from a US POW camp near the Austrian border after a few weeks. I still have the photocopy of his release document! Greetings, Mike (michabutter@gmail.com)
+Michael Benno Butter Thank you Michael. War is never the right solution to man's problems, all it does is kill a lot of people who didn't want to be involved in the first place. I am sure that your father saw sights that he would have rather not seen and just like my dad never really talked about what happened and what he went through. I once worked with a man when I was about 17 who had no finger nails. He had been a soldier and been captured by the Japanese. He was just an ordinary soldier, but the Japanese thought that he might know about troop numbers or something and so tortured him by pulling out all his finger nails. This chap knew absolutely nothing, but suffered nightmares for the rest of his life about his time as a Japanese prisoner of war. Thankfully there is more or less peace in the world. We never again want to have to take up arms in combat. No one ever wins.
+William J Ford Sometimes war is the solution....
+jorge bazan . I think war causes more problems than it solves Jorge. Look at the problems facing Europe at the moment, all a result of a few weeks of War with Iraq and Libya.
+William J Ford What about ww2? Suppose we don't join the war and let nazi Germany take over the goddamn world?...NO What about when we fought for our freedom ( American Revolutionary War ) to build this " Great Nation" But oh no "war is bad" "It's never the solution" BS. Accept REALITY
My father was in one of the planes flying above the Missouri. It was his 25th birthday.He always said that it was the best birthday present he ever received. You know it was.
+Jerry Liptak Must be something to have a had a dad that was a hero. You must be so proud.
Jerry Liptak
I thank him for his services and his sacrifice for being away from his family..real men back then
and it sad the new generation is trying to get the same rights took away what these good men fought for
@Domino From Italy : "You are righ! "
This is one of those "iconic" footages in the history of mankind. Thank you!
It's really fitting that the video ends with a sunset.
My Great Uncle, Samuel Roach, was stationed on the Mighty Mo. Every time I see a film or photos, I get a sense of pride knowing that he's there somewhere during the war and during the surrender ceremony. God Bless all the veterans for their service and courage!
+edro31111 I feel you man, my grand father served as the tail gunner on a Grumman TBF Avenger during Midway. He too was aboard the Mighty Mo, but rather just to see the surrender take place. I wish he would have told me where, but I feel what you said means more than just being able to point him out from a crowd. Rest in peace all those souls who fought for their country, regardless of which side and those who died in the crossfire.
This surrender was bittersweet for the Japanese people, but I would have been far worse if they had surrendered to the USSR.
The communist powers at that time would have undoubtedly reduced the Japanese islands into a mass graveyard.
njdevil281 King Grievous The U.S. even allowed Japan's imperial family to stay intact, the emperor wasn't even charged with war crimes. In my opinion, they were VERY forgiving. Plus the American occupation gave Japan democracy and equal rights for women. Japan is better off today for it, make no mistake about that.
King Grievous How do you figure the USA reduced Japan to a "smouldering pile of ash"? The two bomb's you're referring to weren't near as big as you're implying in your statement. In fact, the vast majority Japan was left completely untouched. I know some people have a hard-on for the USA but why lie about them?
RyHerbs The USA realized BOTH countries suffered tremendous losses and saw no reason to put Japan through war crimes proceedings. Both countries wanted to put all this behind them and just move forward. I read some of the comments posted by some of these clowns who love running the USA down (and Americans in general) and it just makes me laugh because it really illustrates just who these people are and what they're really about. As with any other country, the USA has made plenty of mistakes but they've been far more generous to other countries than they could have been.
foehmr0024 North Korea and South Korea today
+flip inheck I live in Dresden. It was a raid with a mostly military background. Still the Wehrmacht posed a viable fighting force in the east. The Russians by the way, asked for this attack! Roughly 30 000 dead. Then the allies understood that it was enough. In some respect one can compare the Dresden bombing with those of Hiroshima and Nagasaki - but it would take too long to explain here. If you are interested: michabutter@gmail.com
Wow. This is astounding footage. Many thanks for making this available!
I'm glad Japan surrendered and become good guys today. They are probably the toughest Asian nation having almost conquered Asia - Philipines, China, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, Korea. Even the Mongols lost to them 3 times!! Nobody wants to fight Japan again, i'm glad they on our side.
You are mistaken.
im Filipino...
Marty Robinson
Let go of the past. Humans must stop fighting TODAY
I definitely agree with the let go of the past part but unfortunately fighting is part of human nature and will never go away entirely.
The Japanese were the bad guys?
Very inspiring. I've never before seen this much footage of the surrender. I found your video whilst I was posting photos of my re-enlistment aboard the Might Mo in Long Beach, California in the early 90s. Thanks so much for sharing it with the rest of us.
@joefarry1: Unfortunately the hull number is out of focus. There is a chance it is USS Nicholas (DD-449). Several Japanese naval officers served as pilots for ships of the Third Fleet entering Tokyo Bay for the surrender. We have a presentation on our Online Library for this event, but TH-cam will not allow a direct hyperlink to it here in this comment. If you do a Google search on "JAPAN CAPITULATES - Rendezvous with Japanese Pilots" it should bring you to our page on this topic.
my uncle served on this ship and witnessed the surrender. He has passed now but was always proud of his service and the Missouri.
Happy 70th Anniversary of when the war came to an end!
Happy 70th anniversary to us all!
There's history...right there. Thanks for posting this epic event. I stood on that location in Fleet Week celebrations in the S.F. Bay in the mid 80's. I've also took a tour on the USS IOWA about two years ago in the Port of L.A.. Magnificent battleships!
Thank you for posting this important piece of history,
that happened 67 years ago today, it is important to preserve this ,as someone who's grandfather was a zero pilot. great grandfather died fighting on the Yamato, and great uncle was in the imperial army in hiroshima at the time of the atomic bombing, I feel very connected to this past, and think it need to be preserved so its lessons are learned, and that the historythe lives lost, the planes and ships used are not forgottten, as many young people today don't care about WW2 sadly..
No, the original footage was silent. Music was added to this 2010 restored version, but has been removed on TH-cam.
"The bungee jumping between two ships was so scary that Minister Shigemitsu signed the document of surrender."
Wow..amazing footage. RIP to all those who fought and died for us.
Excellent Video. For present and future generations. Thanks.
Amazing colour and fineness of focus and grain. The world truly looked different back then. That deck looked as neat as a pin. Utterly marvelous how the sky brightened as the ceremony was concluding. Extraordinary footage.
Awesome video. My grandfather was on ship during this standing somewhere onthe 3rd deck over looking the ceremony. I have not been able to find him in any of the videos by comparing faces to old photos we have of him but im still looking.
I wonder how nervous the USN guys and what they where thinking before the signing of the surrender documents. I mean it's got to be interesting
I would vote no on texit because I think it simply gives the US a reason to invade and plus who would trade with us? And Plus there's a lot of military bases here in Texas. But I don't think texit will happen
+flamefoxbob of Boblandia damm strait. and yes every state has its specialty and thats what makes the US special
*Great* find! Thank you for sharing it!! :)
Wonderful presentation. Thanks to the family!
USS Louisville CA 28 repairs from the (2) kamikaze in January 1945 completed on April 10, 1945, Louisville delivered Admiral Halsey's 50 officers and 100 staff to the battleship Missouri BB 63 at Guam and Louisville returned to the Pacific to join TF 54 in providing gunfire support for ground forces on Okinawa. My dad who passed in 2017 at age 92 was on USS Louisville from 1943-46. A part of the greatest generation. God bless all service men and women - past and present! We saw Missouri and instrument of surrender in 1978 in Bremerton, WA.
THAT would have been a cool event to have attended. I can't imagine the thoughts of all those naval officers standing there............many of them had to be "pinching themselves" as they contemplated the thought that this war was FINALLY over.
Also, I have often wondered if the Allied Forces had some concerns that this was simply a "trap" by the Japanese to get so many Allied ships into the harbor and then attack them. Wouldn't have surprised me in the least.
WVFreebyrd There actually was a plan devised by several Japanese air squadrons who did not intend to surrender when the American fleet arrived in Tokyo Bay to sign the surrender document. The plan was to fly the fast and deadly Osaka jet powered flying bombs into the arriving US ships in a last suicidal bonzai attack from the air that they hoped would result in the destruction of many vessels, but at the last moment their attempts were foiled by a Japanese lieutenant and several other men under his command who sabotaged the planes to prevent their use. They had heard of the horrific destruction the new atomic bombs had wreaked on Hiroshima and Nagasaki and they were wanted to prevent a third bomb attack at any cost. Reasoning prevailed over what would have been just another show of futile fanaticism for a cause that could only mean the destruction of the Japanese people.
WVFreebyrd GIVE EM' HELL HARRY!
+WVFreebyrd General MacArthur ordered that all Japanese aircraft remove their props.
See? Me and the general think alike. Interesting. I'm going to have to do a little research on that. Thanks for the input.
+WVFreebyrd You're welcome. My Dad was in the initial Occupation of Japan. He had been in CBI Theater.
My dad served on the Missouri, so really cool to see what he must have seen, in color too! thanks! I can smell the sea and spray.
the stories my grandfather told me who was stationed on CL-103, USS Wilkes-Barre was that they were alongside the Missouri during the signing. looking at a still pic of the wilkes-barre and freezing the video, they look pretty similar.
Film note: The American flag shown was the same one that flew in 1853 on the USS Powhatan during Commodore Perry's first expedition to Japan (per Wikipedia).
Japan had no choice.
Tokyo was next.
George Vreeland Hill They had already bombed Tokyo though.
Ground invasion.
They wrote a check their asses couldn’t cash. Even without nukes we would have invaded. But I think we had one more bomb. I’d have dropped it on Tokyo too
@@boho3785 Tokyo was already reduced to ashes
@@boho3785 Invasion? Sure try that with Japans dedication. They would have sent you every man they had, for death in combat for the emperor is considered honourable. There was no way the Allies could have invaded mainland Japan without nuclear weapons.
Growing up hearing about this huge moment in our family lives along with the rest of America. This a listen along with other World War 2 in HD video just brings it home and more to life it's on fire as well Truly truly a good experience
Just a little comment: near the end (8:38) of the signing ceremony it was discovered, that the canadian official did a formal goof by signing the wrong place (a.f.a.i.k. the dotted line for the dutch official), so the japanese could not accept his fawlty copy of the surrendering note. There subsequently was some talk and 'conferencing about' on the spot, followed by an actual mending of the mishap by the american admiral in charge of the whole thing.
Having to accept this mended copy of the surrender note is i.m.O. a far more humiliating thing to the japanese official, than the whole event. Tokyo Bay wasn't safe in sept.45, the japanese guaranteed the peacefullness of this final act.
I do not think the US Navy Band recordings are subject to US Copyright.
...Okay now this looks very good,but next time try to include the addition of the Original Announcer or Narrators voice so we can both SEE and HEAR the proceedings of the SURRENDER and the VOICE of General Douglas MacArthur's speech...Then upload again...Thank you...And Shalom
amazing footage. crazy. can not imagine how people felt, a lot of mixed emotions i bet. i am glad we have nearly put that horrible war behind us
I have two grandfathers and a bunch of great uncles who fought in the Pacific. From what they told me there are no hard feelings. And these days I have many friends in Japan.
+18tangles Well maybe they did, but they told me otherwise.
One of my grandfathers served in New Caledonia and slaughtered the Japanese not much too hate when dead.
+mai72 we already are, it's a spiritual war
@joefarry1 Could it have been the Buchannan? in this video, it mentions it coming alongside the Missouri:
"Japanese Sign Final Surrender"
My grandfather was on the South Dakota, the flag ship of the Pacific fleet and the original ship they were going to sign the surrender on. What are the other ships sailing next to the Missouri?
Can't really tell which one in particular - the sun's angle puts the ship's # in the shade so we can't see it. But the ship sailing alongside for the personnel transfer was a Fletcher class destroyer. Wikipedia shows 21 ships of this class would have been at the ceremony though, sorry I can't narrow it down further.
A very important film in rare colour.
Seeing in color really helps me to imagine the exact views in my mind. Seeing the waving flag, the ships cruising. Through film it's easy to just watch and then move on. Try imagining how it would really look through the human eye. It just makes me realize how BIG, for lack of a better term, life is. All those men, all of their stories, their different emotions. Then that amazing sunset after. I'm sure there were plenty of Japanese sailors on their ship after the surrender who looked at that, and said to a close friend, "there goes our country. Setting like the sun, done." Or something way more thought out and dramatic. There's so much to and in life.
Thank you to everyone that had a hand in this amazing part of history.
That's true in part. The U.S. helped rebuild Japan because we didn't want another proxy soviet state. Communism would have been far worse than the fire bombing and nukes. What's life without freedom?
+foehmr0024 I fully agree!! Se what devilish mockery of a "state" has become of North Korea!
Was this taken with iphone4? So clear!
the biggest USA mistake is they did not ask Japan to hold the troop in
Asia until British takeover during the surrender of Japan , French and
Holland fail take back their colonized land , Vietnam and Indonesia,
Instead Japanese soldier left their Wesson and gun to the independence
fighter and free Asia, indirectly Japan have achieve their Goal to free
Asia, Japan have won the objective of war even they have surrender
No, it is the wooden deck, what happens is that in wartime the nearly-white teakwood decking was customarily stained in seablue colour as a camouflaging measure; this was especially true in ships camouflaged in "dazzle" or spinter scheme, where seablue was a main color, Missouri had been on dazzle camo most of her WWII career, but just before the surrender was repainted...so...it looks steel because the wood's colour is not apparent, but if you look closely, you'll be able to see the planking...
Wow! What a piece of history! And we still do not learn! If anyone ever gets to HI - seeing the USS Missouri is worth it. God bless our Country!
Truly amazing. Thank you!
great camerawork!
Pretty cool to stand on that spot. There is a brass plate there now about the size of a manhole cover.
The 'Mighty Mo' was in Sydney during the Royal Australian Navy's 75th anniversary in 1984. I went aboard and it was a truly amazing ship even then. I believe it is now in San Francisco. Is this correct?
6:30 none of the japanese have the color photographes in that scene. every pic in textbooks is yet monotone.
This video has been restored...
Does anyone know which ship appears at 5:55? It is an Iowa-class battleship; it has to be either Wisconsin, New Jersey, or Iowa.
name ship at 2:56? plz :c
My Grandfather was on board H.M.S. King George V. The table they used to sign the surrender on was from the ward room on KGV, apperently. Superb piece of film, glad it survived, unlike probably everybody in it.
I only by chance , stumbled upon this video . It still stirs my soul . Such a Moment in time , for the Ages . But i need the help of naval people . I am building a 1/350 scale model of BB-63 , and want to mark the exact location , where the Signing took place , on my model . I know that on BB-63 circa 1991 , there is a marker , where this event happened . I'd be grateful if some one could help me out . I am a baby boomer , but the USS Missouri is just such a magnificent Ship , i had to build her ......Yours Truly ....DGR
I was Stationed on board the USS Midway in the 1980s. I am so glad that the Allies never had to fight to take the main Islands. I saw all the tunnels dug into the mountains and the defenses that were still there. Yokusuka has a great many relics from the 40s. The old Battleship cranes are still there. Atsugi airbase is a cool place and you can see mount Fuji from there. Beautiful country. I presume a lot of lives were spared by not invading the home islands.
It’s really gotta make you wonder. Of all the men on that ship, how many tears of relief were there, the moment peace was signed?
The USS Missouri BB 63 was not in WW2 until Jan 1945. The older battleships & older cruisers did the majority of the Island bombardment in the Pacific. My dad who is 92 years old now was a S1c on a 20 mm twin mount on the USS Louisville CA 28 which had 13 battle stars for her WW2 service. I toured the mothballed USS Missouri BB 63 in Bremerton, Wash. in 1978.
This is a piece of amazing u.s. and world history, depicting that the men and women of our greatest generation that did courageous acts of valor to end the biggest war in history so our service men and women did not die for nothing but to protect the greatest country on planet earth
They could sync audio of the proceeding from the national archives... just saying.
This was after the surrender in August 1945 when Gen MacArthur accepted surrender of Japan in August, 1945 at the Manila City Hall where Gen MacArthur was holding office at that time.
@joefarry1 It may or may not be the USS Buchanan as well. Buchanan was the destroyer that shuttled General MacArthur to and from the Missouri.
One belated data point. Nearly all combat footage taken by the US Marines were in color. They were copied onto B&W for use in newsreels and theaters. As an example, the only footage of the second flag raising on Iwo was in color. The Marine who filmed it (Sgt. Genaust) never got to see it. He was KIA a few days later and is still unrecovered.
I fully agree, it is sad that our two nation had to go to war with each other. I'm glad that we have gained more as friends then as enemys but let us never forget that our friendship was built upon blood and fire.
McArthur had generals Wainright and Percival with him as his deputies, who had both been defeated and spent time as POW's. Each were given one of the pens that the surrender was signed with. McArthur kept one of the pens and donated it to West Point. He could be an insufferable ass at times but he was magnanimous and generous in victory.
5:53~ is japanese war ship「NAGATO」？
The image quality is amazing
No seppuku?
wymiatcz333 a
Lmao this comment made me laugh so hard
USS Louisville CA 28 delivered Bull Halsey's 50 officers and 100 staff to USS Missouri BB 63 at Guam and Louisville returned to the Pacific to join TF 54 in providing firecover for ground forces on Okinawa.
gotta love the post war stare down Macarthur got to give the japanese as they surrendered , musta felt like king of the world
No they surrendered is August. The formal surrender was on board the Missouri in September.
Wikipedia has a list of "Allied ships at the Japanese surrender". Seems like it is the Iowa.
Is there a commemorative coin of the surrender out there too?
Amazing footage! What a piece of history it is.
The massive show of power... 2000 plane flyover isn't in this.
I still wait for the day when Japan admits to it's culpability for beginning the Pacific War and the atrocities it inflicted upon the people of Asia and the Western pacific. The US was wrong in not placing on trial and executing, Emperor Hirohito.
+mark hollingsworth Mark, General McArthur, right from the start, insisted that Hirohito not be charged with war and crimes and be left in place as Emperor in the interests of helping maintain public moral in the aftermath of the war. McArthur also insisted that Japan be given every assistance to recover the economic mess that she had sunk into. It all worked!...even her Military took up the challenge to quickly create a strong, reliable ally for the USA!
+Mick Dunn All true. And million s are grateful for it.
Yes you are right. The emperor did shoulder some of the blame. He is gone now and no doubt he is answering for his part of the evil he condoned.
it doesnt resemble the japan it was. this is a new era
+mark hollingsworth it's admitted to the comfort women (something us hasn't admitted to have continued to run mind you) and the concern with hirohito was a new sengoku jidai. i think its apologised to vietnam though.
What was impreessive that day was MacArthur's speech. Why not include it?
My father was on Missouri and witness the signing of the articles of surrender I wish I could've picked him out in this film.
I love America, give my life for this beautiful country.
I had no idea that whole gondola between ships happened. I thought they just met at a time and place.
A most significant "time capsule" of Amireca's greatest victory in World War II over the empire of Japan by the Greatest Generation as it also overcame Nazi Germany in Europe.
I like how people argue over a war when they are not even born to witness it. Let your grandparents argue over it
@tigerlilly7423 LOL stairs? we have no stairs onboard, we call it ladderwell. its military jargon (like bathroom is called a head)
After watching footage of the attack on Pearl Harbor and of FDR's speech, I felt the need to watch this. My uncle was on one of the ships that accompanied the "Mighty Mo." I've never watched the actual surrender.
It must have been an extremely calm day, that they could leave all those loose papers lying out in the open.
they was suppose to sign the peace treaty on the iowa bb61 it was first in japan harbor first of the iowas battleship to go battle in the sea my dad was on it
you will note the Japanese surrender was Sep 2, 1945 not August 15, 1945
One thing that is funny is that with Pearl Harbor & 9/11 Both didn't expect American military to respond in the nature they did
i dont think they are forced to do that...
everyone's grandfather was onboard the ship according to comments lol
Korea got it's Freedom back. Thank you so much UN. I was able to be grow up as Korean where my ancestors lived for hundreds of years. Thank you. Peace. VVVVVVVVVVVVVVV
+YWSUP L
my grand father fucked comfort woman she is good for fuck now too. the korean comfort woman born my sister.
+Kenneth Gamble Americans don't run around RAPING people. Talk to Saudi Arabia
America is with you all the way to Freedom!! 50,000 South Koreans and Americans died fighting Communist NK and China. But it was worth it.
Peace does not come through diplomatic negotiations but through military victory. Only now that we have a President that knows it does N. KOREA want peace.
Happens in all wars, but US soldiers have never done it by the thousands like the Japanese, Germans and Soviets did.
Great video
It is very sad that this year I have seen no mention whatsoever of VJ day. It seems that for many it just doesn't matter.. Despite the current political climate and scattered anarchy it deserves to be mentioned. 9-3-20
The Mighty Mo sat for years in Bermerton, WA. I should have gone aboard when I had the chance.
The US did not fight for its benefit. Like Joel West said above, they had no choice but to stop the Japanese in its track because they showed no hint of stopping and after PH, it was enough.
Well, folks . . . quit trying to re-fight WWII. Half of you don't know what your're talking about anyway---as usual on the Internet.
Now---for something REALLY important; I was hoping that the shots of Tokyo Bay might show the submarine from which future actor Tony Curtis witnessed the ceremony.
And I believe it was the Japanese signer in formal-coat and using a cane, who went home immediately afterward and sliced his guts out all over his futon.
Gary in Arizona
So Gary you are an asshole too eh
What an amazing life Tony Curtis had.Watching his movies I never realised he was a WW2 veteran.Was a serious painter too,his easel and brushes acompanied him everywhere even when on location.
The military leaders that wanted to fight on to the last child should have been publicly executed.At least some of them killed themselves but that wasn't good enough,their carcasses should have hung with the rest of them.
Ambassador Mamoru Shigemitsu did not commit suicide. At the insistence of the Soviet Union he was tried and convicted of war crimes. After he was paroled in 1950, he continued his political career in Japan. He died in January 1957.
For as long as there are people in this planet we Wil have war ,only a war agenst another planet would unite humans
Finally someone who gets it
I do hope your opinion has changed in 5 years, although ww2 certainly progressed technology by leaps, there really is very little chance for war anymore (apart from extremists), unless Russia does something outrageous in eastern europe. A war against another species would probably also divide us unless it was similar to pearl harbour, i.e they strike first, otherwise people would rather learn more about them and try to establish trade and relations instead of trying to dominate them.
This video shows you the Japanese Samurai way, face your enemy until the end. Courage! Douglas MacArthur getting his last f/u to the Japanese.
I 100% agree with that. Could you imagine how that country might have turned out under prolonged Imperial rule, had we lost the war?
We where at it in the Korean War 5 years later. Many of the ships and aircraft that where their that day where used in Korea.Man never seems to learn.