Today's news in major cities, regional and local areas hich can include accident reports

Monday, July 31, 2023

[New post] British Commonwealth Occupation Forces in Japan

Site logo image GP posted: "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUvxHLLMYYE   Participation in the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF) marked the first time that Australians were involved in the military occupation of a sovereign nation which it had defeated in war. " Pacific Paratrooper

British Commonwealth Occupation Forces in Japan

GP

Jul 31

 

Participation in the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF) marked the first time that Australians were involved in the military occupation of a sovereign nation which it had defeated in war. BCOF participation in the allied occupation force was announced on 31 January 1946, though planning and negotiations had been in progress since the end of the war. The main body of Australian troops arrived in Japan on 21 February.

Up to 45,000 Australians served in BCOF, including an infantry contingent of 4,700, base units consisting of 5,300, an air force wing of 2,200 and 130 from the Australian General Hospital. The Australian Navy also had a presence in the region as part of the British Pacific Fleet. For two thirds of the period of occupation the Commonwealth was represented solely by Australians and throughout its existence BCOF was always commanded by an Australian officer.

The BCOF area of responsibility was the western prefectures of Shimani, Yamaguchi, Tottori, Okayama, Hiroshima and Shikoku Island. BCOF headquarters were located at Kure, the army was encamped at Hiro, the RAAF at Iwakuni, and the naval shore establishment at the former Japanese naval base at Kure. At the peak of its involvement the Australian component of BCOF was responsible for over 20 million Japanese citizens and 57,000 sq. kilometres of country. Adjacent to the area of Australian responsibility were prefectures occupied by the 2 New Zealand EF (Japan), the British and Indian Division (Brindiv) and, further away, the US 8th Army. 

The main Australian occupation component was the 34th Infantry Brigade, which arrived in early 1946, and was made up of the 65th, 66th and 67th Battalions. The RAN ships that served were: HMAS Australia, HMAS Hobart, HMAS Shropshire and the destroyers: HMAS Arunta, Bataan, Culgoa, Murchison, Shoalhaven, Quadrant, Quiberon. Landing Ships Infantry: Manoora, Westralia and Kanimbla were used for transport. 

The Australian air force component was stationed at Bofu, in Yamaguchi Prefecture. The RAAF Squadrons which served were No. 76, No. 77 and No. 82, all flying Mustangs. The air force component of BCOF was known as BCAIR. By 1950 only one Australian squadron, No 77, remained in Japan.

By early 1947, BCOF had begun to decline from its peak of over 40,000 service personnel from the UK, New Zealand, India and Australia and, by the end of 1948, BCOF was composed entirely of Australians. The force was dismantled during 1951 as responsibilities in Japan were handed over to the British Commonwealth Forces Korea. Some personnel stayed on to serve in the Korean War. Members of No 77 Squadron, for example, had their 'going home' celebrations interrupted by the news that they were to be sent immediately to Korea. BCOF ceased to exist on 28 April 1951 when the Japanese Peace Treaty came into effect.

The primary objective of BCOF was to enforce the terms of the unconditional surrender that had ended the war the previous September. The task of exercising military government over Japan was the responsibility of the United States forces. BCOF was required to maintain military control and to supervise the demilitarization and disposal of the remnants of Japan's war making capacity. To this end, Australian army and air force personnel were involved in the location and securing of military stores and installations.

The Intelligence Sections of the Australian battalions were given targets to investigate by BCOF Headquarters, in the form of grid references for dumps of Japanese military equipment. Warlike materials were destroyed and other equipment was kept for use by BCOF or returned to the Japanese. The destruction or conversion to civilian use of military equipment was carried out by Japanese civilians under Australian supervision. Regular patrols and road reconnaissance's were initiated and carried out in the Australian area of responsibility as part of BCOF's general surveillance duties.

The RAN component of BCOF was responsible for patrolling the Inland Sea to prevent both smuggling and the illegal immigration of Koreans to Japan. In this task they were assisted by the RAAF whose aircraft were also involved in tracking vessels suspected of smuggling or transporting illegal immigrants. RAAF squadrons also flew surveillance patrols over each of the prefectures in the BCOF zone in order to help locate left over weapons and ordnance.

During 1947, the BCOF began to wind down its presence in Japan. However, BCOF bases provided staging posts for Commonwealth forces deployed to the Korean War from 1950 onwards. The BCOF was effectively wound-up in 1951, as control of Commonwealth forces in Japan was transferred to British Commonwealth Forces Korea.

######################################################################################

British Military Humor -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

########################################################################################

Farewell Salutes - 

Anthony D. Benedetto (Tony Bennet) - Long Island City, NY; US Army, WWII, ETO, Pvt.,  G Co/255/63rd Infantry Division/7th Army/  Beloved singer/entertainer

Arthur Beren - Regina, CAN; RC Navy, WWII

Larry E, Cooper - Newark, OH; US Army, airborne, Colonel (Ret. 35 y.)

Kenneth L. Dann - Rock Island, IA; US Army, 11th Airborne Division

Merax C. Dockery - Seminole, OK; USMC, Lance Cpl., Logistics 2/Combat Logistics Reg. 2/ 2nd Marine Logistics Group

Ivan R. Garcia - Naples, FL. USMC, Lance Cpl., Logistics 2/ Combat Logistics Reg. 2/2nd Marine Logistics Group

Kenneth H. Hurrelbrink - Willow Run, MI; US Navy, Lt. Comdr. (Ret. 21 y.), pilot

Tanner J. Kaltenberg - Verona, WI; USMC, Lance Cpl., Logistics 2/Combat Logistics Reg. 2/2nd Marine Logistics Group

John Luvara - Greenwich, CT; US Army, Japanese Occupation, 11th Airborne Division

Joel Sanchez - Vallejo, CA; US Army, Sgt., scout, 1st Armored Division

Moon S. Wallace - brn: Seoul, SK; Civilian, Korean War, US Army

#########################################################################################

Comment
Like
Tip icon image You can also reply to this email to leave a comment.

Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Pacific Paratrooper.
Change your email settings at manage subscriptions.

Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser:
https://pacificparatrooper.wordpress.com/2023/07/31/british-commonwealth-occupation-forces-in-japan/

WordPress.com and Jetpack Logos

Get the Jetpack app to use Reader anywhere, anytime

Follow your favorite sites, save posts to read later, and get real-time notifications for likes and comments.

Download Jetpack on Google Play Download Jetpack from the App Store
WordPress.com on Twitter WordPress.com on Facebook WordPress.com on Instagram WordPress.com on YouTube
WordPress.com Logo and Wordmark title=

Automattic, Inc. - 60 29th St. #343, San Francisco, CA 94110  

at July 31, 2023
Email ThisBlogThis!Share to XShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest

No comments:

Post a Comment

Newer Post Older Post Home
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

JHI Blog: Recent posts

...

  • [New post] Germany Offers Free of Cost Work Visas to Indian IT Workers
    Arooj Fatima posted: " Indian IT professionals can now enjoy Germany's one of the best offers in terms of immigration. ...
  • [New post] 6 Apps You Must Add to Your iPhone ASAP | FinanceBuzz
    lhvi3...
  • [New post] Is Chicken In A Biskit Coming Back? We Just Got Word That It Might Be
    trentbartlett posted: "Rumours around this snack's return have been floating around the internet for a little while now...

Search This Blog

  • Home

About Me

Today's news in major cities, regional and local areas which can include accident reports, police & emergency responses, criminal and court proceedings or live
View my complete profile

Report Abuse

Blog Archive

  • June 2025 (7)
  • May 2025 (3)
  • April 2025 (10)
  • March 2025 (8)
  • February 2025 (6)
  • January 2025 (4)
  • December 2024 (6)
  • November 2024 (8)
  • October 2024 (9)
  • September 2024 (8)
  • August 2024 (5)
  • July 2024 (10)
  • June 2024 (10)
  • May 2024 (11)
  • April 2024 (4)
  • March 2024 (1462)
  • February 2024 (3037)
  • January 2024 (3253)
  • December 2023 (3238)
  • November 2023 (3122)
  • October 2023 (3010)
  • September 2023 (2524)
  • August 2023 (2299)
  • July 2023 (2223)
  • June 2023 (2164)
  • May 2023 (2229)
  • April 2023 (2135)
  • March 2023 (2236)
  • February 2023 (2171)
  • January 2023 (2326)
  • December 2022 (2500)
  • November 2022 (2470)
  • October 2022 (2648)
  • September 2022 (1909)
  • August 2022 (1839)
  • July 2022 (1856)
  • June 2022 (1969)
  • May 2022 (2411)
  • April 2022 (2354)
  • March 2022 (1867)
  • February 2022 (1013)
  • January 2022 (1050)
  • December 2021 (1620)
  • November 2021 (3122)
  • October 2021 (3276)
  • September 2021 (3145)
  • August 2021 (3259)
  • July 2021 (3084)
Powered by Blogger.