Top Photo: Japanese representatives on board USS Missouri (BB-63) during the surrender ceremonies, September 2, 1945. Photograph from the Army Signal Corps Collection in the U.S. National Archives.

On the afternoon of August 16, 1945, Japanese Emperor Hirohito’s orders to cease hostilities immediately finally went out. Both sides were concerned about whether the ceasefire would hold and whether Japanese forces would comply. Causing further concern, the Japanese also reported that it would take some time for the ceasefire order to be disseminated.

Rather than an immediate ceasefire, Tokyo stated that it would take effect in stages, from 48 hours in the Japanese home islands to 12 days in New Guinea and the Philippines. Tokyo added, “But whether and when the order will be received by the first-line units is difficult to foresee.” Anticipating difficulties, three princes of the Imperial family were dispatched to personally deliver the news to senior commanders.

Not all Japanese forces complied with their ceasefire orders. For example, on August 18, two B-32s on a reconnaissance mission over Tokyo were attacked by 14 Japanese fighter aircraft out of Yokosuka Naval Airfield. One American airman was mortally wounded.

Finally, on August 19, the Japanese negotiators departed Japan. The delegates flew to Ie Shima in specially marked aircraft and then were transported to US General Douglas MacArthur’s headquarters in Manila to discuss surrender terms.

Initially, the surrender ceremony was set for August 31 on board an American battleship in Tokyo Bay. But friction—maintenance and weather—intervened.

On their return to Tokyo, one of the planes with the Japanese delegation developed engine trouble and had to ditch. The prime minister feared Japanese troops had shot it down. Relieved when the delegates finally returned to Tokyo, Prime Minister Prince Kuni was even more relieved that the occupation terms were not as harsh as the emperor had feared, especially with regard to the decision to reserve Japanese food supplies to their people, and not to the occupiers.

Meanwhile, several typhoons led to MacArthur shifting the surrender ceremony to September 2.

Over Japan, Allied planes dropped leaflets to let Allied prisoners of war know the war was over and that help would be on the way. Recon flights looked to identify the locations of POW camps. On August 27, carrier aircraft began dropping supply bundles. On August 28, the Twentieth Air Force began Operation Swift Mercy, flying over 1,000 missions in the next few weeks and dropping 4,500 tons of food, clothing, and medical supplies.

Also on August 28, an advance party of 150 soldiers from MacArthur’s headquarters and the 11th Airborne Division landed at Atsugi. In Tokyo Bay, the first American Task Force of Admiral William Halsey Jr.’s Third Fleet entered Tokyo Bay and dropped anchor. Uncertain about their reception, the naval forces stood by to provide fire support along with a powerful force of carrier aircraft.

That first night at anchor, former Allied prisoners of war hailed the fleet’s pickets, and Admiral Chester Nimitz authorized the Navy to commence rescue operations. In the next 14 days, more than 19,000 Allied POWs were liberated.

When Admiral Halsey’s flagship, USS Missouri, arrived on August 29, it prepared to land the 4th Marine Regimental Combat Team, 6th Marine Division.

MacArthur wanted a simultaneous Army-Marine landing on the morning of August 30. Anxiously heading toward the shore in their Higgins boats to secure the entrance to Tokyo Bay, the 4th Marines and a British Landing Force tensely waited for the Japanese to open fire. The ceasefire held. A boarding party from USS South Dakota boarded the battleship Nagato and received the surrender. Admirals Nimitz and Halsey came ashore at Yokosuka Naval Base around 1330.

At Atsugi, the 11th Airborne Division began landing that morning and linked up with the Marines. That afternoon General MacArthur landed and set up his headquarters in Yokohama.

MacArthur actively oversaw and choreographed preparations for the surrender ceremony.

For the September 2 signing ceremony  207 Allied warships were staged in Tokyo Bay, with Missouri anchored in the spot where Commodore Matthew C. Perry had dropped anchor in 1853. MacArthur wanted an umbrella of B-29s and carrier aircraft circling above the ceremony. Concerned that there could be a kamikaze attack, the antiaircraft guns of Missouri remained alert and fully manned, with the exception of those guns over the signing ceremony itself; a combat air patrol kept watch overhead.

MacArthur arrived by destroyer at 0840; the Japanese delegation arrived at 0856 and walked to their places. Starting at 0902, after a brief prayer and a recording of the National Anthem, MacArthur made an opening statement. Then the signing began. Members of the Japanese delegation came forward and signed first, followed by  MacArthur and Nimitz for the United States. Afterward, senior representatives of the Republic of China, United Kingdom, Soviet Union, Australia, Canada, French Republic, Netherlands, and New Zealand also signed.

MacArthur made a few closing remarks and closed the formal proceedings. At 0925 on September 2, 1945, World War II was over. MacArthur would later broadcast, “Today the guns are silent. A great tragedy has ended. A great victory has been won.”