I'm visiting Tokyo shortly. Does anyone have any detail as to whereabouts the Missouri was moored when Japan surrendered. I know it was in Tokyo Bag, but more detail of poss. Also can anyone recommend any other places to visit in the Tokyo area that has a relevance to WW2. Thanks
Never seen a chart of the anchorages, but this picture might help. Fujiyama in the background. Note that Sagami Wan (Bay) IS NOT Tokyo Bay.
Oh, and some math genius can triangulate Fuji and Tanzawa to find the spot the photographer was shooting from.
I second Opana's suggestion that you visit the Mikasa, an important piece of history. Mikasa was Admiral Togo's flagship at Tsushima in 1905.
For the Surrender, the Missouri was docked in Berth F 71 with the following anchorage bearings - right tangent Fort#1 168 degrees true, Yokosuka Breakwater Light 325 degrees true, and Fort#2 193 degrees true. Or you can use these coordinates: Which would put the USS Missouri northwest of Futtsu Point and northeast of Yokosuka. Not quite 25 miles south of Tokyo
You can see that spot easily from Mikasa, it would be also exactly due East from her starboard side. You may also notice that her forward battery is aimed at the USN facility in Yokosuka.
Either the date is wrong or the location is wrong. The Missouri et al. were anchored in Sagami Wan from August 27-29, 1945. Before moving into Tokyo Bay proper on August 29, 1945. Even Hyperwar states: Anchored in Sagami Wan or Tokyo Bay, Japan, with other units of the U.S. Third Fleet, 30 August 1945. Mount Fujiyama is faintly visible in the distance. Missouri is flying Admiral William F. Halsey's four-star flag. JAPAN CAPITULATES--Allied Fleet in Sagami Wan & Tokyo Bay, part 2
If the guns and turrets were not low-quality replicas, I might be a bit concerned... Somehow I do not think the the originals had the "travel locks" that they do now.
Surprised that no one has mentioned the Yasakuni Shrine/Yushukan War Memorial Museum in Chiyoda, Tokyo. There is also the Center of the Tokyo Raids and War Damage: The Center of the Tokyo Raid and War Damages / For Visitors
The deck logs have their own mysteries...The Missouri's destroyer screen, about a half mile ahead of the Mighty Mo, passes O'Shima Island at 0902 hours, yet the Missouri does not do so until 1025 hours. Still, there are bits for the "Rules Lawyers"...For instance, How are "inland waters" defined? The Missouri passes O'Shima Island at 1025, but does not enter "inland waters" until 1247 hours. I presume this was as she passed through the Sagami Sea, before entering Sagami Bay.
If the barrels extend into the faux turrets...Not that I am being critical, the turrets on the USS Olympia, in Philadelphia, are also mock ups. Not much else you can do when the originals are long gone.
Kamikaze bait?[/QUOTE] Still, there are bits for the "Rules Lawyers"...For instance, How are "inland waters" defined? The Missouri passes O'Shima Island at 1025, but does not enter "inland waters" until 1247 hours. I presume this was as she passed through the Sagami Sea, before entering Sagami Bay.[/QUOTE] Those rules are included in the Navy Regulations. I'll take a peak at them later to see if I can find that one.
Another of the interesting aspects of Mikasa is that future CINCPAC Chester Nimitz attended a reception in Tokyo for Admiral Togo shortly after the 1905 battle and met Togo. Later, after Japan's surrender, Nimitz led efforts to preserve and restore the ship. He really was a good and admirable man. Read this little May 1st, 1988 article here: Park City Daily News - Google News Archive Search USS Nimitz (CVN-68) sailors volunteered to repaint Mikasa in 2009: Nimitz Preserves Ties to Renowned Japanese Warship A good little video of Tsushima:
