The end of the war must have seen some extraordinary movements of shipping as Allied Forces went home. From just Italy alone Americans, Canadians and Brazilians had to be shipped back across the Atlantic, New Zealanders, Australians and Indians faced a long haul home, South and other Africans had ways to go. The British may have been able to use rail for some for part of the trip but still a big exercise. And similar issues would apply in other theatres. How was all of this organised? Was there any form of centralised Allied coordination? If so by whom? Not something you see much about.
Not sure if this book covers it, I'm guessing this is the mob that would organise it in the Med and there would be similar for other theatres - I have a copy but not sure I can lay my hands on it at the moment
For FEPOWs the organisation was RAPWI (Recovery of Allied Prisoners of War and Internees). There is information on the shipping in Admiralty War Diaries and http://www.mansell.com/. Probably the best starting place for the organisation is TNA WO 203/2496 Tim
After hostilities ended in the Far East, many soldiers got very fed up waiting for repatriation and demob. Some had been away from home since 1942. I believe they were calmed down when it was explained that ex POWs had priority. The troop ships leaving Singapore were packed tight and the feelings of one man, recorded in his diaries below, seethe with frustration at being on board on Christmas Day, his fifth spent abroad.
Most USAAF and RCAF flew home,the USAAF from RAF Valley,North Wales via Iceland and Greenland....a number of these aircraft were lost en route after all their passengers had endured during the war. Elements of the RAF mutinied in India at the slow pace of demobilisation....it was kept a secret for many a year and the authorities were reluctant to weld the big stick for fear of sympathy from the public
Japan had to bring her troops home too. I don't know who was running the operation but I know at least two of their carriers and a large landing craft support ship were involved. Love to read more about it if anyone has any recommendations. Japanese aircraft carrier Katsuragi - Wikipedia Japanese aircraft carrier Kumano Maru - Wikipedia Japanese aircraft carrier Hōshō - Wikipedia
