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http://www.etherit.co.uk/month/7/27.htm

August 27th, 1945 (MONDAY)

UNITED KINGDOM: 542 Squadron, RAF, (Photo Reconnaissance) is disbanded at RAF Benson. (Bob Hart)(137)

BURMA: Contact has been established with the Japanese troops in the Sittang valley and they now await specific surrender instructions.

JAPAN: The US Twentieth Air Force B-29 Superfortresses begin supplying prisoners-of-war and internee camps in Japan, China, and Korea with medical supplies, food, and clothing. The first supply drop (to Weihsien Camp near Peking, China) is followed by a concentrated effort of 900 sorties in a period of less than a month. 4,470 tons of supplies are dropped to about 63,500 prisoners in 154 camps.

A USN PB4Y-2 Privateer lands at Atsugi Airfield, Japan because of mechanical problems. The Japanese do not approach the aircraft and the plane returns to Iwo Jima the same day.

Halsey moves his fleet into Sagami Bay, southwest of Yokohama. At 6:00 AM the 4th Marines land to begin dealing with harbour defences.

With most surrender and occupation arrangements made, the Allied fleet prepares to enter Sagami Wan (Bay) and the adjacent Tokyo Bay. To facilitate this operation, the Japanese destroyer HIJMS Hatsukakura brings out several Japanese naval officers to provide piloting services. Fear of treachery remained strong, so the visitors are carefully searched and treated sternly. However, there are no hostile incidents, and the pilots safely bring the U.S. and British warships into their anchorages. Part of this armada is the USN’s Third Fleet under Admiral William F. Halsey Jr. The Third Fleet consists of 23 aircraft carriers, 12 battleships, 26 cruisers, 116 destroyers and destroyer escorts and 12 submarines.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: An armed truce has been declared throughout New Britain Island.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: Isolated Japanese garrisons are reported to be ignorant of the ceasefire.

U.S.A.: President Harry S. Truman says that the situation in the Pacific continues to have many elements of danger and urges Congress to continue the draft (conscription) for a further two years.