Hancock (CV 19) - Naval Cruise Book

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Continuing attacks on the lOth, in preparation for the coming landings on the Japanese home islands, the Hannah's planes hit Northern Honshu air- fields, railroads and factories, crippling transportation and communication in the same effective manner laid down by the Allies in Europe. The first news of Japanese acceptance to the terms of the Potsdam Confer- ence were received aboard ship about midnight and wit-hin a few minutes the men off watch on the darkened ships were being awakened by shipmates bearing the glad news. Pending official recognition of the Japanese surren- der the Navy continued to launch strikes against the home islands, hitting the Tokyo Shibaura Electronics Plant and the Japan International Aircraft Company at Hiratsuka on the l3th. Attacks on the l5th were called back at i633 before they reached their targets but the photo division was attacked by seven Japanese planes over Sagami Wan. Three were shot down and a fourth escaped in a trail of smoke. At 0839 word was received that the Secretary of the Navy Forrestal and Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Com- mander-in-Chief Pacific Fleet, had confirmed the capitulation of Japan. At l302 Admiral Bull Halsey addressed the powerful Fleet assembled off Japan in a stirring speech broadcast over every ship's public address system. Rank and rate were temporarily forgotten as everyone congratulated every- one else on the cessation of hostilities. Ships steaming in orderly columns Funeral Pyres

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Shipping Goes Down Off Hong-Kong