The British Pacific Fleet - Off Japanese Shores

rickshaw · January 07, 2026, 07:22:47 PM

NARSES2 · January 08, 2026, 01:12:53 AM

zenrat · January 08, 2026, 01:40:41 AM

Mrs z's uncle was part of the RAN occupation force. I think he was too young to see any action but was there as a young midshipman on his first ship.
He was ashore on leave when him and a mate saw a japanese lady trip and fall down a flight of steps. Obviously, being brought up right, they helped her to her feet and gathered what she had dropped...
...and were arrested by American MPs for fraternising with the enemy.

Steel Penguin · January 08, 2026, 03:12:54 AM

Zenrat darn thats harsh, I hope that Mrs Z`s uncles CO was an Officer and Gentleman when he found out that 2 of his men had done the Right thing in aiding a civilian in distress.

PR19_Kit · January 08, 2026, 03:24:33 AM

And I hope the MPs got a right earful from their boss too! But I bet they didn't..............

zenrat · January 08, 2026, 03:40:28 AM

As they were due to sail the next day his Captain went ashore and had them released.
I don't think they were subject to any RAN punishment.

I only heard the story at his funeral so I never got a chance to talk to him about it. That was also the first time Mrs z heard about it.

rickshaw · January 08, 2026, 04:42:34 AM

I served with an elderly WO who, as a young man, had served in the BCOFJ in Japan after the war ended. He recounted to me visiting Hiroshima after the bomb had been dropped and described the devastation that he witnessed. He also recounted his service in Korea, which was quite nasty. He missed Kapyong being on leave at the time in Japan. As soon as he heard he demanded a flight back to Korea to rejoin his unit as fast as he could.

NARSES2 · January 09, 2026, 05:53:08 AM

Dad was part of the BPF, but never got shore leave in Japan. His younger brother, my uncle Ted, was part of the British occupation forces post War, but by the time I found out he didn't have that many memories of it, other than to say it was all rather boring.

Martin H · January 10, 2026, 07:50:39 AM

My grand dad was with the BPF. He was a stoker on an LST. So most likey part of the fleet supply train.
Ive only seen two photos of his time. One looking over the main deck of the LST while underway. And another of him on a beach leaning on a jeep with a mate.

He never once spoke about his time in the navy or anything to do with the war to me or my brother. And had no love for the japanese until his death in 1997.
He would be spinning in his grave if he knew ive owned 3 Japanese cars since the 90's.........make that 5 if you count the two Rover 200's. Basicly a Honda clone