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Auction: 19022 - Historical Documents, Postal History and Autographs
Lot: 2119

Autographs
World War II
1945 (6 September), original draft format ship's copy of the Instrument of Surrender to be received by Japanese forces in Bougainville, New Guinea. Likely to have been typed up by Navy Seaman Brian G Taylor, the ship's Telegraphist aboard HMS Glory and retained as a record with the signatures of General Hitoshi Imamura (Commander of Japanese Imperial South Eastern Army), Vice Admiral Jinichi Kusaka (Commander of South Asia Area Fleet) and Lieutenant General Vernon Strudee (Commander of Australian Army) copied by foreign hand. Document showing signs of climactic wear and is mounted on card. Included with related newspaper cuttings and H.M.N.Z.S. TASMAN hat band Photo.

Announced by Emperor Hirohito on 15 August and signed later on 2 September, the Japanese surrendered their forces to the allies who had presented them with the options of surrender or "prompt and utter destruction". Forces in New Guinea signed over their surrender on the sixth but not without acrimony. Captain Anthony Wass Buzzard of HMS Glory recounts the argument had between the Japanese General and Admiral, neither of whom were prepared to sign for the other or be signed for. Eventually they both signed the document, but this detail adds interest to the format of this document.

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Sold for
£2,800