After Victory IV: The Occupation of Japan

Introduction

On the morning of 2 September 1945, the Empire of Japan surrendered to the Allied powers. At 0900 hrs in the morning, a delegation of Japanese officials had boarded the USS Missouri, an American battleship docked in Tokyo Bay. Foreign minister Mamoru Shigemitsu was the first to sign the Instrument of Surrender, ending the Second World War with the stroke of a pen.

The Allied occupation of Japan began immediately, and would continue until 1952. With the country separated into different zones of responsibility, it fell to the British to administer the regions of Shikoku and southern Honshu, which held a combined population of approximately 10 million people.

In February 1946, British forces in Japan were organised into the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF). The Indian Army component of BCOF was the 268^th Indian Infantry Brigade, which included the 2^nd Battalion, 5^th Royal Gurkha Rifles (2/5RGR).

2/5RGR had fought a difficult war, seeing intense fighting against the Japanese in Burma and northeast India. Between 1943 to 1944, three Gurkhas of 2/5RGR were awarded the Victoria Cross (VC), the highest award for gallantry in the British military. As a result, 2/5RGR was often informally referred to as the ‘VC battalion’. After heavy casualties at the Battle of Imphal and almost two years of continuous fighting, 2/5RGR was withdrawn from the line in August 1944.

In late-1945, it got notice that it would be joining the occupation forces in Japan. After months of preparation, 2/5RGR arrived in Japan on 15 May 1946, disembarking at the city of Kure. The Gurkhas would remain in Japan until July 1947, undertaking a number of duties in the country.

The Gurkhas time in Japan was thoroughly documented by Captain (later Major) David Barber, a young 2/5RGR officer. Captain Barber had joined the battalion in June 1944, shortly before it was withdrawn from Imphal. Over the 14-months that 2/5RGR spent in Japan, Barber photographed much of what he saw, later compiling the photos into an album.

This album, which contains both Captain Barber’s personal photographs as well as official stills, was donated to the Gurkha Museum in 1993. It is a personal insight into a unique episode of Gurkha history, as 2/5RGR was the only Gurkha unit to serve in Japan. To mark 80-years since 2/5RGRs arrival in Japan, the Museum is taking the opportunity to share some of Captain Barber’s wonderful photographs.

Captain Barber (right) at Itsukushima Shrine, Japan, June 1946. David Barber was a lifelong friend to the Gurkhas and was active in the Gurkha Brigade Association until his death in 1992

Gurkhas in Japan

2/5RGR arrived in Japan aboard the HMT Orduna and docked at Kure, a port city in the Hiroshima Prefecture.

2/5RGR disembarking from the HMT Orduna, 15 May 1946.

Local people look on as 2/5RGR march through Kure.

During the war, Kure had hosted a major naval base, which had made it a target for Allied bombers. When the Gurkhas disembarked, they found the city still showing heavy bomb damage.

2/5RGRs pipe bad at Kure, 1946. Bomb damage can be seen in the right hand image.

The men were apparently ‘thrilled’ by their first sight of Japan, as its wooded hills reminded them of Nepal. Besides guard duties, 2/5RGRs role in the country was to help maintain internal security, patrol for weapons caches, and to prevent black market activity.

Moving into barracks near the city, the Gurkhas spent a largely uneventful time at Kure. In one instance, ‘C’ Company was moved to a town 30-miles away to suppress a riot, however the disturbance broke up peacefully once the Gurkhas arrived on the scene.

Despite their many duties, the men still found time to make sightseeing trips around the region. One point of interest for the Gurkhas was nearby Hiroshima, which had been devastated by a nuclear bomb on 6 August 1945.

Almost every man in the battalion made the trip to Hiroshima. Even 9-months after the bombing, the destruction wrought upon the city was striking. Many Gurkhas climbed a gutted 8-story building, one of the highest still standing in Hiroshima, to get a birds eye view of the ruins.

Devastated Hiroshima, photographed in September 1945.

A Gurkha looking out over the ruins of Hiroshima, 1946.

In June, 2/5RGR moved 200-miles north to Okayama. A common employment in Okayama was guarding trains transporting Koreans for repatriation. Since 1910, Korea had been occupied by the Japanese, with many Korean men being conscripted as labourers in Japan and its occupied territories. The trains always required a complement of guards as some Koreans, preferring to remain in Japan, tried to escape.

In July 1946, 2/5RGR was detailed to relieve the 2^nd Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment (2^nd Dorsets) from guard duties in Tokyo. After arriving in Tokyo, the Gurkhas moved into Ebisu Barracks. Life for off-duty Gurkhas in the barracks was recorded in Captain Barber’s album:

A young Gurkha taking a moment to write a letter.

Off-duty Gurkhas at Ebisu barracks playing a game of cards.

A Gurkha soldier ‘Charpoy Bashing’ at Ebisu barracks.

Whilst in Tokyo, the Gurkhas mounted ceremonial guards at the Imperial Palace and the British Embassy.

Gurkhas relieving the 2nd Dorsets at the Imperial Palace, July 1946.

A Gurkha standing guard at the British Embassy in Tokyo is photographed by a passerby.

Almost immediately after arriving in Tokyo, the Gurkhas developed a rapport with American soldiers of the US 1^stCavalry Division. Just hours after the Gurkhas arrived at their barracks, an American jeep pulled up carrying 50-gallons of ice cream. This gift, given by the 8^th Cavalry Regiment, began a friendship between Gurkha and US soldiers that would last for their whole tour in Tokyo. From this point, it was a common sight to see Gurkha and American soldiers out together in the city.

Gurkha troops would also hold guard duties with the Americans at the Imperial Palace:

A US cavalryman and a Gurkha on guard together at the Imperial Palace.

2/5RGR returned to Okayama in September. Over the winter of 1946 – 1947, some of the officers (including Captain Barber) took advantage of the snows by taking a skiing trip.

Captain Tom Huxley enjoying the snow, Japan, c.1946-47.

Whilst in Okayama, Gurkhas enjoyed educational courses and received lectures on resettlement, as many of the men were due for demobilisation from the army. In October, the battalion celebrated Dashain with a traditional ‘nautch’ dance on a specially constructed stage, and were also entertained by a Japanese concert party, which demonstrated traditional Japanese fencing and wrestling.

Around this time, two of the battalion’s VC recipients (Subedar Major Gaje Ghale and Naik Agansing Rai) rejoined for duty. Agansing had recently been in London, where he had been involved in the victory celebrations.

In May 1947, the Gurkhas performed a second tour of duty in Tokyo, where they would again mount guards at the Imperial Palace. Whilst in Tokyo, the Gurkhas renewed their friendship with the US 1^st Cavalry Division. On 21 June, 50 Gurkhas mounted a unique parade alongside 50 US soldiers. Under Captain Daw of the 7^th Cavalry Regiment, the Gurkhas carried out American parade drill with apparent ease.

By this time, the Gurkhas deployment in Japan was coming to an end. To thank them for their assistance, on 25 June 2/5RGR hosted a cocktail party for American officers of the 2^nd Cavalry Brigade. During the evening, Subedar Major Indrabir Thapa honoured Brigadier General Hoffman, commanding the 2^nd Cavalry Brigade, with a mounted khukuri.

Subedar Major Indrabir Thapa shakes hands with Brigadier General Hoffman, 28 June 1947.

On 1 July 1947, 2/5RGR was back in Okayama making preparations to return to India, with departure set for 17 July.

The looming independence of India would spell great change for the Gurkhas, as the regiments would soon be split between the British and Indian armies.

Gurkhas at Hiro train station on their way to Kure, July 1947.

Men from 2/5RGRs rear party watching the battalion embark. The rear party, under Captain Barber, would remain in Japan for several more weeks.

The battalion embarked on the HMT Devonshire and set sail for Madras. For many, leaving Japan was bittersweet, as it was unclear whether 2/5RGR would continue in British service or if it would be transferred to the Indian Army.

Ultimately, the 5^th Royal Gurkha Rifles was transferred to India, ending almost 90 years of service to Britain. Whilst some 2/5RGR soldiers would retire from service and return to Nepal, many would stay with the battalion, continuing to honour the regiments history and traditions.

Gurkhas aboard the HMT Devonshire wave goodbye to Japan.