My father ( pictured) was one of 12 who attended the ceremony marking the Japanese surrender in Saigon. Pls see photos. My father rarely discussed his war time experiences but told us how he had sailed up the Mekong delta in a landing craft. On arrival they were met by Montgomery who had ordered that all Japanese officers would stop and salute the victorious troops irrespective of rank. I would love to hear more about this occasion.
Looks like a rear view of your pic on IWM website. A Japanese naval warrant officer surrenders his sword to Sub Lieutenant Anthony Martin in a ceremony in Saigon. FURTHER INFORMATION: On 24 November 1945, Elements of Japanese naval forces handed over their base in Saigon to the Royal Navy. The surrender was accepted by Sub Lieutenant Anthony Martin, the youngest naval officer in Saigon. The chief Japanese representative was Captain Goto, senior staff officer to Vice Admiral Kondon. At the ceremony the Japanese officers were allowed to keep their swords, but four warrant officers surrendered theirs and all Japanese naval ratings laid down their rifles. Japanese naval ratings lay down their arms in a ceremony in Saigon.
Welcome to the forum. You can find little about that event here BBC - WW2 People's War - SAIGON '45 Also little about the swords Mountbatten received at least two swords personally from Terauchi on 30th November 1945 in Saigon. Terauchi had these family swords flown over from Japan. One of the swords was a silver mounted tachi (slung sword) dating from 1292, whilst the other was a wakizashi (short sword) dated 1412. The former is believed to be at Broadlands in England whilst the latter, is now part of the royal collection at Windsor Castle. >Name Goes Here<
Welcome to the forum. You can find little about that event here BBC - WW2 People's War - SAIGON '45 Also little about the swords >Name Goes Here< I have one of the swords from this ceremony.
I will have to ask my father for more detail behind this picture. It looks like different ceremonies at different times. Lieutenant Colonel Kato hands his Sword to my father's uncle, Roger Crosbie. Saigon F.I.C. 19 Jan 1946
