Today HMS Ariadne secured alongside, bringing a draft from Sydney. A closer view of this ship only went to confirm earlier impressions of neatness & smartness. Our landing party was returned during the afternoon by HMAS Napier. They have all brought back a lot of souvenirs & appear in good spirits despite the lack of washing facilities & amenities ashore. Though perhaps they are just pleased at getting back!
Upon the return of the Japanese envoys to Tokyo, the enemy radio began announcing when & where the forces of occupation will land. Airborne troops are expected in the Tokyo area next Sunday & the fleet is to enter the bay shortly after. The actual peace treaty will be signed on a US Battleship in Tokyo Bay on August 31st by the Supreme Commander who will arrive by sea. In a speech to the ship’s company the Captain more or less confirmed these arrangements.
Yesterday [22nd] afternoon practically every aircraft in the fleet that could fly was airborne for a massed flight over the assembled ships. It was a grand sight & some excellent photos should have been obtained.
This afternoon we were detached with [HMS] KGV[King George V], [HMNZS] Gambia, [HMAS] Napier, [HMAS] Nizam & two US Fletcher class DDs [USS] Benham & Uhlmann from TF 38.4 and became TF 37.
A year on HMS Newfoundland 