Japanes Surrender Aboard USS Carroll DE 171

[USS Missouri ] [Mille Atoll Surrender] [Northern Palaus Island Surrender] [Rota Island Surrender]
[Wake Island Surrender] [Jaluit Atoll Surrender] [Maloelap Atoll Surrender] [Wotje Atoll Surrender]
[Kusaie Island Surrender] [Ponape Island Surrender] [Woleai Atoll Surrender]
[Tobi-Sonsorol-Merir Islands Surrender]

Destroyer Escort Sailors Association - DESA

Search units which went ashore on several islands to the south and west of the Palaus found that the 439 Japanese Army personnel on Tobi, the 639 on Sonsorol and the 261 on Merir had no knowledge of the cessation of hostilities until these American parties notified them. The Japanese units were a part of the 35th Division, with headquarters in the Celebes, but because of their location within the limits of the Pacific Ocean Areas, Commander Marianas ordered that their surrender be accepted by the Island Commander Peleliu. This capitulation was received aboard USS CARROLL DE 171 on October 6th.

On October 21th, the Japanese cruiser Sakawa evacuated 800 of these 1,339 Japanese military, while the special ship Etorofu lifted the remainder on the 29th.

Meantime, American Military Government units had removed the 20 natives on Merir to Sonsorol to join the 156 natives already there, while the 123 Carolinians on Tobi were left undisturbed. In this period, 23 tons of rations were supplied to the inhabitants of these three islands to meet critical needs.

Japanese Surrender Aboard USS Carroll DE 171