Sword from Japanese surrender WW2 Saigon.

[Shugyosha]

What Bruce said: it’s your heirloom now. 

[KungFooey]

6 hours ago, SimonAitch said:

Yes it’s not a problem at all, use anything you need.

 

Im just super happy that the members of this forum have given me such an insight to this memorabilia.

 

Ideally, though I know this is nigh on impossible I’d like to return it to the rightful owners.

Really noble intention, Simon - but the Japanese hate being reminded of any humiliation. They would much rather forget it ever happened.

I guess what I'm saying is that you may accidentally open up an old wound.

 

Dee

[SimonAitch]

On 12/19/2024 at 7:52 PM, mecox said:

Simon, fantastic item and pictures.  Do you have a date for this surrender. Is your dad in the pic?  Could you measure the length of the cutting edge of blade.

Thanks for posting.

Mal

Unable to find the exact surrender date. My amateur sleuthing ... Google and The Imperial War Museum put it somewhere between mid august to mid September 1945.

 

My brother has my fathers service records which should point to his arrival in Saigon/Vietnam.

 

I'll get back with further info.

[SimonAitch]

On 12/19/2024 at 7:52 PM, mecox said:

Simon, fantastic item and pictures.  Do you have a date for this surrender. Is your dad in the pic?  Could you measure the length of the cutting edge of blade.

Thanks for posting.

Mal

Hi @mecox, I cant get an exact date, however these are from the Naval records  (my Father was on the Waveney as part of a landing group):

 

 Assault Group W 2 (*left UK for India 03.45/Ops off Burma 05.45 – 06.45/to India 08.45/WAVENEY 09.45/landed Saigon – merge with Port Party there (2479) – on longer extant 03.03.46*) Clyde, wait passage India 02.45/Bombay 03.45/Kyaukpyu, Ramree Is 04-06.45/Cochin 07.45/ Colombo 07.45/ Bombay 08-09.45/ WAVENEY 09- 12.45/ Saigon 09.12.45 – 04.46. NP Number disc 03.46

 

HMS Waveney record (September 1945):

 

 29th        On arrival of Saigon anchored off Cap St Jaques.

                                Briefed by RN representative.

                30th        Berthed alongside at Saigon after river passage.

                                (Note: Naval units were deployed at Saigon to support 32nd, 80th and 100th Inf. Brigades

                                and an RAF Squadron who were to establish control of the Region pending the

                                arrival of French forces.

                                Japanese surrender was accepted by Naval Officer in Charge, Saigon after arrival.)

  

Thats about all Im able to find, hope it is of some assistance.

[mecox]

@SimonAitch  interesting record.  Looks like surrender would be  end of Sept or start of Oct.  Thanks for follow up.

Mal

[george trotter]

On 12/23/2024 at 8:08 AM, KungFooey said:

Really noble intention, Simon - but the Japanese hate being reminded of any humiliation. They would much rather forget it ever happened.

I guess what I'm saying is that you may accidentally open up an old wound.

 

Dee

I agree with Dee Simon...I have seen a couple of returns in the past and, being familiar with Japanese culture, I can tell you from the body language that no-one among the Japanese in the room wanted to be there or wanted a gaijin there 'celebrating' Japanese WWII history. Believe me.

Geo.