Lanier (APA 125) - Naval Cruise Book

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island of Honshu. On 27 August the entire Task Force received orders to proceed to Sagami Wan lBay1, Japan, iust outside Tokyo Bay. The LANIER dropped its hook in the calm waters of Sagami Bay, overlooking beautiful Mt. Fuiiyama, at 1702, 27 August. L Day was scheduled for Thursday, 30 August, 1945. TransDiv 60 lwhich now included the APA GARRARD and the LSV OZARK, to bring the total in the transport group to six APA's, an AKA and an LSV1, left Sagami Bay at 0241, heading for the Yokosuka area, Tokyo Bay, follow- ing a mine-swept channel. At 0717 Condition One Able was set, and at 0741 the LANIER anchored in Berth D , transport area Able , Tokyo Bay, iust off Yokosuka. By 0811 all boats had been lowered into the water. H hour, originally set for 1000, was moved back one half hour to 0930, taking advantage of the good weather, calm water and absence of any great difficulties in lowering boats. At 0915 the boats left the line of departure, and the USS LANIER, APA 125, put ashore the first wave of Marines to land amphibiously on the shores of Japan, exactly at H hour, 0930, 30 August, 1945. A The first few waves contained a host of photographers, newspaper- men and publicity men who gave the landing good coverage in newspapers and over the air throughout the United States. Mail comes aboard, at sea Man being transferred at sea hovers over water with Captain Cloud holds press conference enroute to Japan but six feet to spare IOWA ' lOWA and Third Fleet

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Flrst wave of Marines to land amphibiously are put Marines present arms as Old Glory is hoisted ashore by LANIER crews Marmes more intent on gutted Jap battleship, NAGATO, A than on beach directly ahead Red Beach, Yokosuka Naval Base Mm 000 have ORD was received by radio on 15 August that Japan had given up the fight officially. Ships in the harbor from the USS NEW JERSEY to ocean-going tugs sounded whistles, clanged bells and whooped it up in general. lt was a day that will be long remembered in Guam. - On the same afternoon the APA's GRIMES lO.T.C.l, LANIER, MERI- WETHER, MELETTE and BRAXTON and the AKA WAUKESHA, together with the destroyers BRONSON, COTTON and GATLING, left Guam to make history. These were the few ships whose honor it was to put ashore the first load of occupation troops on Japan. These were the few ships which would bear the brunt of any possible enemy foul play. General MacArthur himself later admitted it was a risk, but one well worth while. Presence of the entire Third Fleet, however, would have made any aggressive attempt on Japan's partpure self-destruction. After passing Saipan on i6 August, 1945, the TransDiv 60 unit proceded to Point Drink , Lat. 32.00 N-43.30 E. From l9 August to 27 August the unit sailed in circles with the Third Fleet, awaiting orders to continue on to Japan. This point was about 275 miles off the main U. S. flag flies

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Rail loading, Tokyo Bay A Wef ramp indicates slight choppiness fNofe 14-ball on P boaf engine hatch-1 Marines are not faking invasion foo seriously Marines walk up seaplane ramp, Red Beach Marines march off fo sever peninsula Modern bus sfands idle as Marines hike 36