Quincy (CA 71) - Naval Cruise Book

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SURREND R Through the night blackened waters of the Pacific the carrier task group steamed on August 10 toward its fueling rendezvous. Out of enemy strike range, the night fighters had been recalled and the evening watch was passing un' eventfully. Aboard the Quincy the officer of the deck checked his bearings and cast a cautious eye along the still horizon. Suddenly WHOOPEE sprang from the T. B. S. and shattered the silence of the pilot house. That was at 2108g then all was quiet again. At 2130 the interfighter director radio in O.I.O. broadcast lusty cheers. Then a voice roared through the disturbance, JAPAN HAS SURRENDERED PROVIDING THE EMPEROR STAYS IN. An answering voice spoke up, HRUMOR CONFIRMED BY GUAM RADIO, GOOD DOPE. With thrice the speed of Mercury the news traveled through the ship. Up into the gun stations, through the living compartments, down into the engine rooms hearts were lightened and cares were forgotten with the magical words. Throughout the ship eager ears crowded the broad' cast receivers. Speculations and queries added color to the known facts of the surrender offer. All through the night newscasters framed and reframed the omnipotent words, Japan wants to quit. Japs offer surrender. The world may have peace! The sun arose next morning on a world full of more hope than it had known in 14 long years of war. Japan wanted peace. It could not come, however, with one curt radio message. Days of anguished uncertainty OF JA PA passed before the Japs and Allies were convinced they understood each other. Finally on August 15, 1945, the Quincy learned that Japan had actually accepted uncondif tional surrender and was even then preparing to disarm her troops. A But the habit of the kamikazi had been too strong to break so suddenly. Seven pilots of the Emperor crossed the sights of the combat air patrol or picketing destroyers and went to a flaming death on this same day that the flame of their battered Empire flickered and died. During this period of waiting, the three task groups of task force 38 assembled into a gigantic formation which stretched to the horizons. Overhead flew the thousands of carrier planes which only a few days previously had been raining death and destruction on the Japanese homeland. On each of the ships a new activity was launched. Sailors left their large guns and practiced with small arms. Naval landing forces might be used to secure some of the first beaches. Marines sparked each group of sailors with their training and discipline. The first attempt of the Allies to occupy Cherry Blosf som Land was foiled by a typhoon raging along the coast. But' on August 27 the attempt was made again. The Quincy, moving in the column of a mighty fleet, steamed carefully up to the very portals of Tokyo. General Quarf ters was set and guns were made ready but the Japs offered the fleet no excuse to use them. Above the Quincy two American flags waved triumphantly in the breeze and the ' Yanks welcome Yanks to Yokohama.

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Th! ON Us l-1 The Quincy rndes at anchor at the foot of Fujl