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HMS Glory: Pictorial History in BPF Late 1945 - Early 1946 World Naval Ships Forums Archive

HMS Glory: Pictorial History in BPF Late 1945 - Early 1946

Posts 1 to 28

[B]1. Introduction[/B] HMS [I]Glory[/I], one of eight fleet Light Aircraft Carriers of ca. 13,200 tons displacement (18,000 FL) and completed in 1945, served in the British Pacific Fleet (BPF) from September 1945. I know one of her ship’s former complement (of about 1,300) and, knowing of my personal interest in the BPF, he has just given me his collection of unlabelled photographs pertaining to late 1945-early1946. I assured him that I would utilise them well since no-one in his family was interested in them. I considered submitting his collection to the IWM ([I]of which I am a ‘Friend’[/I]), the NMM at Greenwich or even the AWM. Each of these venerable institutions has a collection of photographs pertaining to the BPF of the period, including a few images of HMS [I]Glory[/I] and events aboard her. Internet access to some of these sources yields small images with sometimes limited description, and I suspect that donated material often ends up in files due to lack of space to exhibit them. I think that this Forum should be a suitable host for them, especially as interested people and in particularly relatives of ship’s crews, can access them via search engines which regularly pick up posts on HMS [I]etc [/I]on the Forum. It has been interesting to label them as accurately as I could in the last few days, and to tie them into the timeline of events in this somewhat forgotten theatre of conflict - after the end of the war in Europe. HMS [I]Glory[/I], under her Captain Anthony W. Buzzard DSO, OBE, RN, had joined the 11th AC Squadron ([I]Colossus, Vengeance, Venerable, Glory[/I]) in this theatre at Fremantle in mid August 1945. Her first task was to pick up her NAS aircraft and men from HMS [I]Nabbington[/I], the RNAS base at Nowra 60 miles south of Sydney - See Pt. 3. She was tasked to head for New Britain. With HMS [I]Amethyst[/I] and HMS [I]Hart[/I], both modified Black Swan Class sloops of the 32nd Escort Group in support, they formed Task Group 111.5 and, having embarked the Allied Theatre Army Commander Lt. Gen. Vernon Sturdee and his staff on 1 September, HMS [I]Glory[/I] sailed to Rabaul in Eastern New Britain (off what is now Papua New Guinea) which had been the beleaguered ([I]reduced and somewhat neutralised by Operation Cartwheel[/I]) HQ of Southern Pacific Japanese forces. Here, on September 6 1945 on board HMS [I]Glory[/I], Lt. Gen Sturdee received the surrender of the Japanese Imperial South Eastern Army [I](Lt. Gen. H. Imamura[/I]) and what remained of the South Eastern Imperial Japanese naval forces ([I]V. Admiral J.I. Kusaka[/I]). – see part 2a and 2b. HMS [I]Glory[/I] then sailed to Sydney where the aft section of her hangar deck was converted to a hospital sick bay and recuperation/rest accommodation for ex Prisoners of War held by the Japanese in often fairly inhumane conditions. The crew was reduced to 850 and [I]Glory[/I] took passage to Manila to embark the POWs (1,350 British troops, 161 veterans of Hong Kong and 26 civilians) for passage to Vancouver in Canada from where the British troops would eventually return to the UK. By December 1945 HMS [I]Glory [/I]had returned to Sydney (see Part 4) and then in January 1946 she sailed onto the Port of Melbourne where she was joined by HMS Implacable and HMS Indefatigable. (Part 5). David
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[B]2a. Surrender of Japanese South Eastern Army and Naval forces aboard HMS Glory[/B] This subset of ten images covers the surrender of all Japanese army and naval forces (ca. 139,000 in total) in New Guinea, Solomon Islands, New Britain, New Ireland, Bougainville and surrounding islands. On the net I have seen 2 or 3 of these in IWM and AWM archives, and the HMS Glory Association website. I was quite excited to find, in a private gift, the eleven photographs depicted here, and in 2b. HMS [I]Glory[/I] and her attendant escort ships had arrived off the southern shore of New Britain on September 5 1945. The force remained at action stations while arrangements for the surrender ceremony were checked ashore. The three warships moved onto a position at Simpson harbour off Rabaul and remained stationed there next morning. As many crew as possible were assembled on the flight deck to witness a sight they would never forget. The surrender of part of the forces ([I]about 139,000 in all[/I]) of an ignoble enemy that had flouted the rules of war and treated the inhabitants and captured prisoners of war in the most inhumane and cruel manner. HMS [I]Glory [/I]herself would be one of many allied warships that would bring home many of these captured prisoners in the next few months. [B]Pic. 1.[/B] Lt. General Imamura arriving somewhat wet ([I]but not as wet when he landed on Java Feb.28 1942, his troopship having been sunk ingloriously by another IJN vessel as USS [I]Houston[/I] and HMAS [I]Perth [/I]gallantly engaged the Japanese landing forces and escorts at Sunda Strait[/I]). [B]Pic. 2.[/B] The party moves forward watched by officers and men of HMS [I]Glory[/I] [B]Pic. 3.[/B] A moment of quiet reflection perhaps pondering his own future ([I]sentenced to ten years imprisonment at the ensuing War Crimes Trials[/I]). [B]Pic.4.[/B] Vice Admiral J.I. Kusaka. I want to add the following here lifted from a press conference given by Captain Buzzard RN aboard HMS [I]Glory[/I] when the carrier arrived at Esquimalt harbour, near Vancouver a few weeks later. He said, and I quote from a British Columbia newspaper of October 29th 1945; ”Our orders were that the Jap general would sign for all the Jap forces in the area. However it developed that the Japanese general was not prepared to sign for the Jap Navy and the Jap admiral was not prepared to be signed for. A long argument ensued and we finally settled by letting both sign” [B]Pic.5.[/B] The rear of the party, note the Royal Marines with SMGs at the ready for anything untoward. [B]Pic. 6.[/B] Facing Lt. General V.A.H. Sturdee GOC 1st Australian Army, Lt. General H. Imamura surrenders his sword. Note the body language of Sturdee’s Chief of Staff, Brigadier E.L. Sheehan who certainly looks like that he will brook no nonsense after the aforesaid argument. [B]Pic. 7.[/B] The Instrument of Surrender is about to be read out. [B]Pic. 8.[/B] Both Japanese commanding officers sign (there were three identical documents) for their respective theatre forces. The two translators are on this side of the photograph. [B]Pic.9. [/B] On behalf of the Allies Lt. General Vernon Sturdee signs the Instrument of Surrender documents. [B]Pic. 10.[/B] The detail of the disposition of surrendered Japanese forces is now discussed. Around the table L to R are: V. Adm. Kusaka, Lt. Gen. Imamura, Lt. Gen. Sturdee, Brigadier Sheehan, Captain A. Buzzard RN.
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[B]2b. The Instrument of Surrender[/B] There is more about this Document from Kookaburra, see: [url]http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1898&highlight=HMS+Glory[/url] A framed copy was kept aboard HMS Glory in the Captain’s cabin
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[B]3. The Naval Air Squadrons aboard HMS Glory[/B] These were: [B]NAS 837 [/B]- which flew Fairey Barracuda torpedo bombers until sometime in October when they were replaced with the Fairey Firefly F1. [B]NAS 1831[/B]- which flew Vought F4U Corsair fighter bombers. A selection of pictures is shown
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[B]4. HMS Glory at Sydney in December 1945[/B] NB: I have put the best photo on Forum here at post 1648: [url]http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2941&page=66[/url] SH seemed pleased (“holy molly WOW”)
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[B]5. HMS Glory at Melbourne Jan – Feb 1946[/B] This is the last post of the five to introduce the thread. As in the previous two posts the individual description is given on the caption of each photograph. David
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Great thread and great set of pictures, Dave, Thanks for posting Dave

[quote=David Verghese;10002935][B]4. HMS Glory at Sydney in December 1945[/B] NB: I have put the best photo on Forum here at post 1648: [URL]http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2941&page=66[/URL] SH seemed pleased (“holy molly WOW”)[/quote] David - a fine set of pictures. Also thank you for respecting our request to avoid duplicated pictures by providing a link to the great photo you kindly submitted to the Special Warships Pictures Gallery. However once in a while a blind-eye can be turned and I feel this marvellous thread should also contain its "star" photograph! ;)
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I agree, Terry. A great shot of HMS Glory. Dave

David, A great read and with your agreement I am going to download it to share with some surviving POW's at our next Far East Prisoners of War Association meeting. Althought officially the Association is now disbanded some remaining branches have declared that their branch will not cease to exist whilst POW's, Relatives or Friends continue to meet and remember Dave H

Superb thread David!

Two reports, published in The Times on the 1st and 7th September 1945 recording the Surrender in the S.W. Pacific which HMS Glory took part in.
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Reading the first one Dave I can still feel no sympathy for his troops after the deprivation the POW's suffered every day of their captivity - but then perhaps that is because of my own loss. War is war but their culture added made it hell on earth. Dave H

[QUOTE=Dave Hutson;10002948]David, A great read and with your agreement I am going to download it to share with some surviving POW's at our next Far East Prisoners of War Association meeting. Althought officially the Association is now disbanded some remaining branches have declared that their branch will not cease to exist whilst POW's, Relatives or Friends continue to meet and remember Dave H[/QUOTE] Dave, I would be most happy for you to show it to the members,relatives and friends of your area FEPOW Association branch. I myself have befriended a number of ex Royal Navy men who fought in the British component of the ABDA Fleet in the seas off Java February-March 1 1942. These men of HMS Exeter, HMS Encounter and HMS Jupiter were outnumbered and outgunned but their tenacity, courage and fighting spirit was never outmatched. I have searched without success for survivors of their sister-in arms that day of 27 February, HMS Electra. She was first to the scene at the loss of HMS Hood. With scant attention to the enemy bombers above her she went alongside the stricken Prince of Wales and Repulse and plucked so many from the water. With HMS Exeter disabled she went forward through Exeter's smokescreen and took up protective station only to be pitted against the powerful ordnance of three of her foes who sank her. Survivors of all four ships eventually became guests of the Rising Sun for over three and a half years. The rest is history. David

A great selection of photos Dave, many thanks for posting them. Pictures speak a thousand words. Jim

MAny thanks Dave for posting this historic collection of photogrphs. It is a shame that we cannot access freely other photographs of this ilk that the Museums covert and demand extortionate monies for.

Tremendously interesting posts, David. I was just getting back to this thread when I noticed the surrender photographs. I have only seen one of those in an American book (the last one) so seeing all the rest was fascinating. No surprise at all that the good Admiral and General could not cooperate in signing the surrender documents. The Imperial Army had no authority over the Imperial navy, and vice versa -- it seemed they almost hated each other worse than they did the enemies they were ostensibly fighting. It would have been a severe loss of face for Admiral Kusaka to be subordinated to the signature of an Imperial Army officer, regardless of rank. Thus the squabble, easily resolved by having them both sign. Really a great collection of photographs for "us Yanks" that have not been privy to RN and RAN sources until most recently, particularly due to posts on this forum. I have recently finished reading my birthday gift "British Pacific Fleet" and have learned a lot from that and just as much if not more from posts such as yours, which is greatly appreciated, as have several PMs I've received with related articles attached from forum members. The RN/RAN/RNZN side of the Pacific war has gotten short shrift in American histories (not the least surprising of course) and it is a real pleasure to now be able to see the Commonwealth side of that terrible struggle. Regards to all who have posted on this subject!

[quote=limeybiker;10003120]MAny thanks Dave for posting this historic collection of photogrphs. It is a shame that we cannot access freely other photographs of this ilk that the Museums covert and demand extortionate monies for.[/quote] Amen to that Don!! :eek:

[QUOTE=astraltrader;10002944]David - a fine set of pictures. Also thank you for respecting our request to avoid duplicated pictures by providing a link to the great photo you kindly submitted to the Special Warships Pictures Gallery. However once in a while a blind-eye can be turned and I feel this marvellous thread should also contain its "star" photograph! ;)[/QUOTE] Thanks Terry, it is worthwhile to keep this photo-collection together. Much appreciated. qprdave - thanks also for the two cuttings from the London Times of the period. That was fast reporting indeed, for an event on the other side of the world. Jim, Limeybiker and Don - thanks for your inputs regarding the photos. You know, I bet there are superb and original collections of photographs from from old sailors of WWII stuffed in boxes in people's attics, lofts and cellars which will never see the light of day. kc Thanks also. I wonder if the Boss knows of paintings done by war artists of any such surrender document signing. Such significant events lend themselves to the artist's brush - capturing the evocation and solemnity of the victor and the vanquished. Regards to all. David

I can guarantee you there will be no Japanese paintings or renderings of such ceremonies anywhere on the planet. :rolleyes:

[QUOTE=David Verghese;10002935][B]4. HMS Glory at Sydney in December 1945[/B] NB: I have put the best photo on Forum here at post 1648: [url]http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2941&page=66[/url] SH seemed pleased (“holy molly WOW”)[/QUOTE] holy shmolly wow...yes these are nice and this Dec 45 pic too....thanks

Just wanted to add my thanks for sharing these images. Al

I have just read David Hobbs' book on the BPF and in a timely manner found this thread. The thread is both very interesting and compliments this book well.

Thanks for this post and photo's. It brings back memories of my Uncle Tommy, (sadly passed away three years ago at the age of 85) he was a Boy Piper in the Royal Scots taken prisoner in Hong Kong. He was one of the POW's repatriated on the Glory. Tommy never spoke to me of his experiences, some of which were quite horrific, until I joined the Royal Navy in 1962. He had nothing but praise for the treatment that the troops were given on the way to Vancouver and since then had a soft spot for the Navy, so he was over the moon when I joined up.

[QUOTE=whalerman;10003822]Thanks for this post and photo's. It brings back memories of my Uncle Tommy, (sadly passed away three years ago at the age of 85) he was a Boy Piper in the Royal Scots taken prisoner in Hong Kong. He was one of the POW's repatriated on the Glory. Tommy never spoke to me of his experiences, some of which were quite horrific, until I joined the Royal Navy in 1962. He had nothing but praise for the treatment that the troops were given on the way to Vancouver and since then had a soft spot for the Navy, so he was over the moon when I joined up.[/QUOTE] Greetings Whalerman, Thank you for your input to this thread. Your Uncle Tommy would have embarked HMS [I]Glory[/I] in Manila Bay about 9 October 1945. Many hundreds of soldiers, airmen, sailors and civilians who had been held captive in Japan, Formosa (now Taiwan), Hong Kong, China and elsewhere had been carefully brought by many ships to assembly points at Manila. All these poor but hardy souls were suffering to various degrees from neglect, long-term denial of decent food and medicine, and ill-treatment by a military foe who regarded bestial degradation and torture as victor's privilege. I comment on some of the routes back to Blighty that the former POWs undertook on the link here at Post #5: [url]http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/showthread.php?p=126889#post126889[/url] On HMS [I]Glory [/I]the men were under the care of professional care of doctors and nurses who were brought on board at Sydney. As the former detainees gained strength, both physically and mentally (in the knowledge that they were now rescued) they underwent a programme of games, P.E., deck hockey, races on the flight deck, along with good nutrition, to build up their spirit and fortitude. Arriving Pearl Harbor (20 October)in the Hawaiwan islands must have seemed a wonderful experience, before they disembarked at Esquimalt port (26 October) near Vancouver for a stay with locals and then a train journey to north Atlantic ports for a steamer home. For HMS [I]Glory[/I] her mission of mercy as a repatriation ship was not over. Sailing back to Manilla via Hong Kong, she embarked Dutch POWs and took them back to ports in the Netherlands East Indies. At Tarakan in N. Borneo HMS [I]Glory[/I] picked up the men of The Australian 7th Division who had been engaging Japanese forces up to the Surrender, and the Aussie troops arrived Sydney to a rapturous welcome 12 December 1945. David

During her active service HMS Glory carried a variety of planes in her hangar and on deck. This included Grumman Avengers in 1944 and Fairey Barracudas (829 NAS) in 1945. In the next few years Chance Vought Corsairs of 1831 and 1815 Squadrons, Fairey Fireflies of 812 Squadron, Hawker Sea Furies of 801 and 837 NASqs, and Supermarine Seafires of 806 NAS all complemented her service. And probably other aviation machines also. She hosted early helicopters (Dragonflies). So what is this leading to you might ask. With her paying off pennant flying in September 1954 – on a trip involving a journey Malta-Gibraltar-Portsmouth, she carried on her deck....... (tbc)

mmmm! Heavy army trucks and a V.I.P.Humber I think.
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Presaging NATO's vision for her second life... one the RN denied her. [URL="http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-04CV-Theseus.htm"]http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-04CV-Theseus.htm[/URL] [QUOTE]1958 "A suggestion made at a NATO Council meeting that HMS GLORY, HMS OCEAN and HMS THESEUS be considered for conversion into troop transports was not approved by the British government."[/QUOTE] The RN did convert Bulwark & Albion into commando carriers in 1/59-1/60 (B) and 1/61-8/62 (A).

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