Arrival in Kure
When the army troops landed the weather was shocking, the barracks had no windows, heating or lighting, but the Australians, well known for scrounging, soon were comfortable. During March 1946, the 34th Brigade commenced
such as disarmament and disposals, security and surveillance, patrolling and searching, supervision of elections and police, locating military equipment, plant, narcotics and black market raids. Each battalion took its turn with other countries, for garrison and guard duties on the Emperor's Palace in Tokyo. Members of the British Commonwealth Base Force engineers, ordnance, signals all played their part in bomb disposal, bridge and Barracks, telecommunications, looking after the sick, transport and running BCOF. The duties of the air force included surveillance patrols, prevention of smuggling of goods and illegal entry (in conjunction with round and naval forces), weather reports, transport to and from Australia and guard duties. There was also a small naval force known as HMAS Commonwealth based at Kure with the duties of clearance of jetties, docks, wrecks, destruction of Japanese vessels, adjustment and running of dock facilities. A large number of Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force service women saw service in hospitals in Japan, and Australians served in canteens and with the Red Cross.
(courtesy Anzac Day.org Shinbun 41)
such as disarmament and disposals, security and surveillance, patrolling and searching, supervision of elections and police, locating military equipment, plant, narcotics and black market raids. Each battalion took its turn with other countries, for garrison and guard duties on the Emperor's Palace in Tokyo. Members of the British Commonwealth Base Force engineers, ordnance, signals all played their part in bomb disposal, bridge and Barracks, telecommunications, looking after the sick, transport and running BCOF. The duties of the air force included surveillance patrols, prevention of smuggling of goods and illegal entry (in conjunction with round and naval forces), weather reports, transport to and from Australia and guard duties. There was also a small naval force known as HMAS Commonwealth based at Kure with the duties of clearance of jetties, docks, wrecks, destruction of Japanese vessels, adjustment and running of dock facilities. A large number of Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force service women saw service in hospitals in Japan, and Australians served in canteens and with the Red Cross.
(courtesy Anzac Day.org Shinbun 41)
Families go to Japan
In December 1946, Cabinet approved the despatch of families of Australian
servicemen to Japan when housing and medical facilities became available. The
first group of families reached Japan on 1 June 1947.The main family housing area was located on a disused Japanese air strip fronting the Inland Sea at Hiroshima, in the 34th Australian Infantry Brigade area. Here a considerable township grew up with bungalows and two-or four-apartment dwellings. Chapels, a school, shop and cinema were included in the development. Japanese contractors carried out the work and furniture was obtained from Japanese sources. To give variety, different types of houses were interspersed, and the changing shades of pastel colouring of plaster walls and roofs made a cheerful and bright picture. My wife, on being consulted regarding the future name of the area, immediately asked what was the Japanese for ‘Rainbow Village’. Niji Mura it therefore became and still remains.
(Adapted from Major General R. W. L.
Hopkins. History of the Australian Occupation in Japan, 1946-50, page
109, in Royal Australian Historical Society Proceedings, Vol 40 No 2,
1954)
Accommodation 1947
As the force settled down in permanent locations, it became possible to provide amenities on a scale more suitable for the conditions. It must be
remembered that our troops were forbidden to fraternise or enter Japanese houses, hotels or places of entertainment, and were voluntarily doing a job thousands of miles from home.This move, together with the provision of sports grounds, a club and theatre, and the sight of new buildings under construction made a tremendous difference to the outlook of all ranks. Units developed a keenness and smartness, and set an example that was outstanding in any company.
(Adapted from Shinbun Issue 36)
Leave
Leave in Japan was the next most important thing for the welfare of the troops. Steadily, hotels were taken over to give BCOF troops access to
historical and cultural places at Kobe, Kyoto, at Nikko with its temples and winter sport; at Kawana with its golf, riding and sea air; and in Tokyo. Even so,
the demand far exceeded the supply, and many of those who returned early to Australia saw little of the famous resorts and lovely countryside of
Japan.
(Adapted from Major General R. W. L.
Hopkins, History of the Australian Occupation in Japan, 1946-50, page
108-109)
Secret Societies
The Emperor told his people to ‘bear the unbearable’ in August 1945, there were still some who refused to accept his direction. Fortunately, the
majority of Japanese, having endured war since 1931, followed the old Japanese proverb ‘the willow branch but bends beneath the snow’ and accepted
the foreign occupation for the moment, with thoughts for the future.However, out there were fanatics looking for victims. Sergeant Tom Kerr, a
member of my unit, was found dead in a street, poisoned.
(Adapted from Shinbun Issue 40)
Civilian crime
There were fewer than 1,000 civilian arrests in the Australian area in three years. By far the greater majority of the cases related to illegal
possession and the taking and disposing of Occupation Force goods. Many of the cases were petty offences. There was a remarkable lack of crimes of
violence against the personnel of the Occupation Force throughout the whole
of Japan.
(Adapted from Major General R. W. L.
Hopkins, History of the Australian Occupation in Japan, 1946-50, page
112)
How were Japanese war brides received in Australia?
When Gordon Parker married a Japanese girl, ‘Cherry’, early in the occupation of Japan, he stirred up considerable concern amongst the army and
Australian politicians. Not long after Gordon and Cherry's marriage, other BCOF members applied, thereby forcing the Australian Government to develop a policy with regard to foreign marriages. By 27 March 1952, the Australian government had authorised the admission of Japanese wives of Australian
servicemen and ex-servicemen into Australia, provided they were approved by the Australian Embassy in Japan.
Kure Municipal Police screened all girls to ensure that they were not:
- communists
- prostitutes
- holders of a criminal record
- from a family with signs of hereditary insanity.
In addition they had to pass a thorough medical test that included a full x-ray and blood test. If tuberculosis or any other serious illness was
present, they were denied access until totally fit. The examination and investigation was considered more stringent than that
required for any other migrant.
The average age of wives was 22, and only 49 of the 150 couples had, or
were about to have, children. In 22 out of the 150 cases, both parents (of
the bride) were dead. Of the remainder, the parents of only 14 objected to
the marriage. Only in one case did the Japanese police request non-approval
of the marriage, because the parents were strongly opposed to the marriage.
‘Whether Australia should ban the admission of Japanese wives is a
matter for eventual discussion, but until that decision is made those wives
who do come to Australia - lawfully and at the invitation of their
Australian husbands - should be treated decently, with a special effort on
the part of returned men to make them feel comfortable. If only to offset
the inevitable hostility from that small section of the community who, in
addition to not having travelled beyond their own shores, have a way of
attacking any person who does not conform to their own pattern and way of
life.’
(Adapted from Returned Services League,
Mufti, December 1952.)
Materials Courtesy- Anzac.org
A BCOF STORY - DAn Crane
Daniel Patrick Crane was born on the 30th January 1924. KIng George V
ruled the British Empire. Stanley Bruce was Australian Prime Minister. Dan grew
up in suburban Buranda in Brisbane. He did not have a full education and gained
work as a packer.On the 20th February 1942 at the age of 18 years old
he enlisted for Military service at Annerley in Brisbane and was stationed
with the 15th Battalion. After enlistment, Dan trained in
Boggabilla and found himself involved with anti aircraft artillery and was
graded as a Group 3 Gun Layer The gun layer had to sit on the seat and he
had to watch the dial for directional firing. And, of course, there were the
other positions such as loading also. On the 25th July 1943 he embarked from
Townsville on the Duntroon and found himself in Port Moresby.
In January 1943 the Battalion had gone to New Guinea to take part in the Salamaua and Lae
campaigns and did not return to Brisbane until July 1944. In November it was
sent to fight in Bougainville. The Battalion finally returned home in January
1946 He took part in various actions in New Guinea and in March 1943 returned
to Townsville on the SS Taroona. He was reassigned to a training
contingent at Cunungra and finally as the war was coming to an end in the
Pacific took up positions with Brisbane Base watercraft workshops that were
occupied with maintaining transport ships. Many of these groups had service in
New Guinea.Dan remained in Brisbane in this new role until he was
transferred from the Artillery regiment to the 195 Australian Supply Depot
and he stayed there until February 1946.Life was about to take another change in direction for young Dan though.
Just 6 months previously on the 6th August 1945 the atomic bomb
was dropped on Hiroshima and 3 days later a similar fate for Nagasaki in Japan .
The war in the Pacific was over finally. By February 1946 the BRITISH
COMMONWEALTH OCUPATION FORCES had been mobilised and Dan was again
reassigned to the 16th Infantry Training Brigade and on the 30th April
1946 he embarked on the Manoora from Sydney for Kure city in Japan. It was here
in this far off land that Dan and his fellow soldiers took on a new role.
Dan was now a member of the BCOF ( British Commonwelath Occupation Forces) He was
now reassigned yet again to the 34th Brigade A Field Battery RAA and spent
time in Kure, Hiroshima, Kaitachi, Hiro and Tokyo .Some of his duty was
ceremonial but also assisting with rebuilding of a devastated land. The American
soldiers were given postings around Tokyo but the Australians were stationed
around Hiroshima and Kure . The BCOF story is a one of courage and determination
in a role that was neither combatant nor confrontational as the war had been
just months previously. A defeated nation was now under the control of a
foreign force that included Australians, British, New Zealand and Indian
forces.As part of the 34th Brigade, responsibility was to provide security
and enforcing Armistice conditions in Hiroshima Prefecture. During this time the
Brigade was involved in providing security for elections, locating and
destroying war equipment and stores and ceremonial duties including mounting
guard at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.Finally in July 1947, Dan returned to
Australia on the Kanimbla and in August 1947 was discharged from Military
service to begin another life . Most BCOF forces were removed from Japan by 1948
with all forces redeployed with the outbreak of the Korean war.
More than 16000 Australians spent some time in Japan as part of the BCOF. From 1946 until
1952.The Australian experiences of occupation encompassed power, prejudice
and possibly violence, but it also engendered friendship compassion and even
love which remain as legacies today.Dan Crane's photographic diary portrays
a glimpse of life for those 15 months in a land full of rich culture and unique conditions.
ruled the British Empire. Stanley Bruce was Australian Prime Minister. Dan grew
up in suburban Buranda in Brisbane. He did not have a full education and gained
work as a packer.On the 20th February 1942 at the age of 18 years old
he enlisted for Military service at Annerley in Brisbane and was stationed
with the 15th Battalion. After enlistment, Dan trained in
Boggabilla and found himself involved with anti aircraft artillery and was
graded as a Group 3 Gun Layer The gun layer had to sit on the seat and he
had to watch the dial for directional firing. And, of course, there were the
other positions such as loading also. On the 25th July 1943 he embarked from
Townsville on the Duntroon and found himself in Port Moresby.
In January 1943 the Battalion had gone to New Guinea to take part in the Salamaua and Lae
campaigns and did not return to Brisbane until July 1944. In November it was
sent to fight in Bougainville. The Battalion finally returned home in January
1946 He took part in various actions in New Guinea and in March 1943 returned
to Townsville on the SS Taroona. He was reassigned to a training
contingent at Cunungra and finally as the war was coming to an end in the
Pacific took up positions with Brisbane Base watercraft workshops that were
occupied with maintaining transport ships. Many of these groups had service in
New Guinea.Dan remained in Brisbane in this new role until he was
transferred from the Artillery regiment to the 195 Australian Supply Depot
and he stayed there until February 1946.Life was about to take another change in direction for young Dan though.
Just 6 months previously on the 6th August 1945 the atomic bomb
was dropped on Hiroshima and 3 days later a similar fate for Nagasaki in Japan .
The war in the Pacific was over finally. By February 1946 the BRITISH
COMMONWEALTH OCUPATION FORCES had been mobilised and Dan was again
reassigned to the 16th Infantry Training Brigade and on the 30th April
1946 he embarked on the Manoora from Sydney for Kure city in Japan. It was here
in this far off land that Dan and his fellow soldiers took on a new role.
Dan was now a member of the BCOF ( British Commonwelath Occupation Forces) He was
now reassigned yet again to the 34th Brigade A Field Battery RAA and spent
time in Kure, Hiroshima, Kaitachi, Hiro and Tokyo .Some of his duty was
ceremonial but also assisting with rebuilding of a devastated land. The American
soldiers were given postings around Tokyo but the Australians were stationed
around Hiroshima and Kure . The BCOF story is a one of courage and determination
in a role that was neither combatant nor confrontational as the war had been
just months previously. A defeated nation was now under the control of a
foreign force that included Australians, British, New Zealand and Indian
forces.As part of the 34th Brigade, responsibility was to provide security
and enforcing Armistice conditions in Hiroshima Prefecture. During this time the
Brigade was involved in providing security for elections, locating and
destroying war equipment and stores and ceremonial duties including mounting
guard at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.Finally in July 1947, Dan returned to
Australia on the Kanimbla and in August 1947 was discharged from Military
service to begin another life . Most BCOF forces were removed from Japan by 1948
with all forces redeployed with the outbreak of the Korean war.
More than 16000 Australians spent some time in Japan as part of the BCOF. From 1946 until
1952.The Australian experiences of occupation encompassed power, prejudice
and possibly violence, but it also engendered friendship compassion and even
love which remain as legacies today.Dan Crane's photographic diary portrays
a glimpse of life for those 15 months in a land full of rich culture and unique conditions.
|
|
A BCOF story- Eric Saxon
Eric Saxon was a happy and relieved man when he sailed into Kure
Harbour in Japan on 9 April 1946 with the British Commonwealth Occupation Forces
(BCOF).The voyage from Australia on MV Duntroon had been full of drama
with an emergency dash to port with a dangerously ill soldier, the ship
surviving typhoons, a shortage of water and a journey which should have taken
just a couple of weeks lasting four weeks."As we were driven through Kure I was impressed by the crowded
streets, the very heavy bomb and fire damage, the number of bicycles and the
many unaccustomed smells - food, dried fish, garbage and so on," Eric recalled.
"There was an odd mixture of western and Japanese dress, most working women
wearing mompei (a sort of loose baggy trousers)."New members of the Combined Services Detailed Interrogation
Centre (CSDIC) were required to attend a 12-week intensive Japanese course,
something Eric took to with relish, particularly as he had already studied
Japanese for his role in intelligence activities during World War II. At the end
of the course CSDIC members were attached to various units as official
interpreters.Before leaving his native Tasmania, Eric contacted the editor of
the Hobart Mercury, suggesting he could write some articles for the paper while
he was in Japan. As he was not a journalist, the editor was non-committal but
agreed he would look at what he sent through. In the end, the paper published
more than 20 of his articles which were attributed to 'A Special Correspondent
with the British Occupation Forces in
Japan'.Having completed his language training, Eric was thrown into the
deep end as an interpreter with 36 Field Security at
Onomichi."Our duties involved trips through the district in a jeep to
interrogate people suspected of being involved in smuggling or other illegal
activities," Eric said."One operation involved boarding a ship to search for
contraband. Although the boarding party was armed, I carried no weapons. My job
was to interrogate the captain and others while the ship was being
searched."We found little of consequence but somehow a report on the
operation reached the Australian press where it was blown out of all proportion.
The headline was 'Australian Troops Seize Vessel in Onomichi Port' or something
like that. In reality it was a very low key
exercise."One of Eric's early articles for the Mercury referred to the
devastation at Hiroshima."Early in August 1945, Hiroshima was in the headlines of every
newspaper in the world," Eric wrote. "Much has happened since then but the day
of the first terrific demonstration to the world of the tremendous energy in the
atom will long be remembered everywhere. It will probably be remembered for ever
in this part of the Japan."Recently I have seen Hiroshima two or three times and have seen
what modern war can mean. On approaching the city, the first visible effects of
the blast are seen in the tiles on the roofs, which are moved as if some giant
hand had swept them from their places. At first only a few here and there are
moved but on going further into the city, more and more are swept away,
uncovering woodwork underneath."Then the plaster on the walls is missing here and there, so
that the bamboo slats underneath are revealed. Further on again whole roofs have
fallen in and walls have jagged gaps. Most of these houses still have people
living in them but only a few have been repaired. By the time the first branch
of the river is reached, the houses which remain lean shakily. Many have been
demolished."Across the river there is utter destruction as the tremendous
fires which started in the centre of the city spread through areas only partly
destroyed by blast, and were stopped by the various river mouths. The outskirts,
both east and west, are similar and from the lean on houses, and twisted iron
framework, it is possible to judge where the bomb struck."In the centre of the city there is complete desolation. - piles
of rubble, rusting tins and ironwork, masses of fused metal and glass, including
the scarcely recognisable framework of tram cars, bicycles, cars and sewing
machines."Trees are merely charred stumps while steel electric standards
heel over at every angle. Many concrete and brick buildings still stand but are
burned out inside. Some have been moved on their
foundations."However, Hiroshima is rapidly returning to life. Sawmills for
miles around are working overtime and scores of wooden buildings are springing
up among the ruins."Open air stalls display their wares and attract large crowds.
Trams are running, crowded to capacity."When he wrote the article Eric was concerned that this work was
being done in a haphazard fashion."Yet no plan seems to exist for the reconstruction so that the
new buildings probably will become the nucleus for future slums," he wrote.
"Very little cleaning up by the municipal authorities has been done but
individuals have made shacks of old iron and scraps among the ruins and have
planted gardens in areas they have cleared of
rubble."No one seems to have the strength or will to undertake the
rebuilding of the city on modern lines, so in the future they may expect worse
congestion than in the past."Hiroshima paid a terrific price to bring the war to a more
speedy end. The fate of tens of thousands who perished in its ruins, by
convincing the Japanese Government of the futility of continuing the war, saved
the lives of perhaps hundreds of thousands on both sides," he
wrote."For this, those now living who might well have died, owe
something to the memory of Hiroshima, the city which suffered more severely in
proportion than any other city in the
world."So while we may forgive its survivors their apathetic looks,
especially after having seen the horrible scars left by atomic burns, we must
never allow the world to forget its
lesson."[Eric's fears for Hiroshima's future back in 1946 were not borne
out as he discovered during subsequent visits to the area some years
later.]Eric became involved in supervising the reception of Japanese
soldiers and civilians coming back from China and South East Asia and the
repatriation of civilians to Okinawa and Korea."Cholera was common among returning troops, so we had
inoculations and lots of DDT was used to 'delouse' those in the large barracks
where they were held while being officially discharged from the forces and
despatched to their former home areas," he
said.In another article in the Mercury, Eric wrote about the
reactions of Japanese people to the foreign
troops."The reactions of the men are certainly the most difficult to
understand," he wrote. "For the most part the men take little notice of troops
passing through. Sometimes they continue their work as though nothing had
happened; mostly they watch with expressionless
faces."In the country areas where troops pass only occasionally, the
men frequently greet troops by smiling, raising their hats and bowing, or waving
hoes or whatever they may happen to have in their
hands."The women are more actively friendly than the men and many of
them, particularly those with children on their backs, wave vigorously to
passing troops while their menfolk merely look
on."By far the most impressive feature of the attitude of Japanese
towards the Allied forces is the behaviour of the children, more especially in
rural areas where troops do not pass frequently."The way these children greet the troops has to be seen to be
believed, it is so overwhelming in its openheartedness and spontaneity. As a
result, almost every Australian who has been in such areas is deeply touched and
freely admits that he has 'a lot of time for the
kids'."One of the jobs carried out by the occupation forces was to
enforce the rule that schools abandon their militaristic teaching and that all
books and other materials which contained such material should be
destroyed.Eric spent a lot of time at schools and talking to the
children."As for the next generation, I am satisfied that the children
are our way now, and that their friendship as adults depends entirely on the
effectiveness of the new education system, and of the wisdom of the measures
which must be taken by the Allied military governments of the future," he
wrote.The first anniversary of VJ Day, 15 August 1946 was a holiday
for those BCOF troops who could be spared from duty. For the Japanese it was not
such a celebration."Today was also a general holiday for the Japanese, but for a
rather different reason, Eric wrote."Although they make no secret of the fact they are pleased the
war is over, even though lost, they have not yet gone so far as to celebrate the
anniversary by any special festivities."Today happens to be the main day of the traditional Bonodori
festival, During the day the Japanese showed no particular festive spirit, but
most spent it in relaxation or in preparation for the evening festivities. [The
festival is apparently a Buddhist rite which extends from about 10-15
August. On the last night the spirits of
departed ancestors are invoked by the living and are supposed to revisit the
earth.]"The only open daylight demonstrations in this area were made by
Koreans. There is a considerable Korean element in south-west Japan, an element
which is now organised into the Association of Koreans Residing in
Japan."Headquarters of the Kure branch today was bedecked with Korean
and Allied flags, streamers and other coloured materials, while a large notice
proclaimed 'Congratulations to the Allied Forces on Victory.
Cheers!'"Just before Christmas Eric experienced his first
earthquake."At 0420 hours I awoke amid a loud rumbling and shaking of the
hut," he wrote. "One of my room mates shouted 'earthquake' and went outside. I
sat up in bed but as I knew the hut was wooden and well constructed, being held
together by bolts rather than nails, I considered it safer to stay inside rather
than risk loose tiles falling on me as I went out the
door."As I looked out I saw what looked like lightning flashes across
the sky but soon realised it was the high-tension power lines swaying and
touching to create sheets of flame. Then all lights went
out."In the dark we could hear the nearby primary school buildings
creaking loudly as they swayed with the movement of the ground. As the shaking
lessened I put on my overcoat and boots and ventured outside. The air was still
and filled with shouts and activity from the town. The excitement soon died
down, so I went back to bed."Damage to the immediate area was not great. But south of Shikoku
there was major damage and thousands died from fires that broke out in the
collapsed houses and from the tsanumi [tidal wave] that swept from the nearby
epicentre and hit the coast, completely destroying many
villages.In April 1947, elections were held in Japan and BCOF personnel
were involved in supervising them."It was our duty to observe the pre-election campaign activities
and to visit as many polling booths as we could on election days, Eric wrote.
"We also had to collect statistics on the numbers voting at each
centre."This election duty was the most interesting experience during
my time in Japan. Katsuyama was very much a rural centre. It had sustained no
war damage and was remote from industrial activity. Very few foreigners visited
the area. In places we found we were the first ever seen there so we were the
focus of considerable curiosity. I tried hard to find any malpractice in the
elections but could not."One of Eric's most enduring memories of his stay in Japan was
his interaction with the locals and, in particular, the children who were
intrigued to be able to talk with a foreigner in their own language. He visited
many schools, getting to know the teachers and children and was often invited to
attend special occasions at the
schools. ric left Japan on 15 September 1947 at the end of his tour of
duty and sailed via New Zealand to Sydney. Despite some rough weather on the way
it proved to be rather less eventful than the outward voyage 18 months
earlier.The material for this article was supplied by Eric Saxon of
Queensland 08/01/2002
( Australians at War - Department of Veterans Affairs)