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September 2, 1945

IT'S OVER! WAR OFFICIALLY ENDS AS JAPAN SURRENDERS TO ALLIES
JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTER SIGNS INSTRUMENT OF SURRENDER ABOARD U.S.S. MISSOURI IN TOKYO BAY
MINISTRY OF DEFENSE ACCELERATING PLANS FOR DEMOBILIZATION OF BRAELANDER SOLDIERS

BRAELAND CITY, Sept. 2 (BP) – Three months following the surrender of the European Axis Powers, the Second World War officially came to an end today when Japanese Foreign Minister Mamoru Shigemitsu signed the formal instrument of surrender aboard the battleship U.S.S. Missouri in Tokyo Bay, Japan. The ceremony follows the announcement made back on August 15 by Emperor Hirohito of Japan's acceptance of the Postdam Declaration, which called for Japan's unconditional surrender.

Japan initially balked at U.S. President Harry Truman's demands to quit the war or face total destruction. That rejection was followed by the deployment of an unprecedented new weapon – the world's first atomic bomb – that was dropped onto the Japanese city of Hiroshima on August 6 with devastating results. On August 8, the Soviet Union rejected Japan's overtures to mediate surrender negotiations and instead declared war on Japan, invading Manchuria and North Korea. Finally, on August 9, the United States dropped the second nuclear bomb on Nagasaki, Japan. The fear of more atomic weapon attacks and the certainty of land defeat by the Soviets combined to finally secure Japan's complete surrender.

Demobilization of Armed Forces to Begin Immediately

Speaking to reporters on the steps of Parliament in Braeland City today, Minister of Defense Robert Allard offered further cause for jubilation when he announced that the return of Braelander Armed Forces was well underway.

“The Braeland government began coordinating with our Allies on the general demobilization of all our Armed Forces and the rehabilitation of our soldiers shortly after Japan's surrender in August. With the cessation of all hostilities being formalized, we have accelerated that general demobilization. It is the Government's intention to have the majority of our military personnel home within the next several weeks.”

Clarifying that last statement, Mr. Allard revealed that a number of Braelander soldiers have volunteered to remain on active duty a little longer to assist Australia's efforts in the recovery of POWs.

“There are literally thousands of men and women who have been held in Japanese prison camps for up to three and a half years. We have therefore enjoined with our Australian counterparts to move into Japanese occupied areas in the South-West Pacific to assist in formalizing regional surrenders and liberate prisoners of war and internees. It is both a privilege and a duty that we should do this.”

United Leagues Preparing for Return of Players

The news that ballplayers will be soon returning home instead of going off to war was welcome relief to Commissioner Dr. David Westfall as well as to all teams that comprise the United Leagues and their minor league clubs. Dr. Westfall was in attendance at Parliament and spoke to reporters following the Government's official announcement.

“We have had to endure the uncertainty of losing ballplayers to the war effort and the ongoing concern for their welfare. So to receive the news that not only is the war finally over but we'll soon be welcoming back our brave players is indeed a cause for celebration.”

However, the Commissioner did not have an exact timeline for when we could be seeing players rejoin their original clubs.

“That is a matter entirely out of our hands. With the 'Coconut Leagues' already underway, we don't anticipate the players to be back in time for Opening Day. But the majority should be returning in the following weeks and we will be eagerly welcoming them back and honouring them for their service.”

The Commissioner was also pleased to inform the nation that all athletes who went off to war were safe and accounted for. But that did not mean that all would be returning to the playing field.

One noteworthy example is that of Bob Guerin, who played leftfield with the Queensland Eagles and Sherburn Tigers prior to joining the Armed Forces in 1942. Sapper Guerin was severely wounded by Japanese sniper fire while involved in bridge repair in November 1943 during the Bougainville Campaign. He recovered, but sustained permanent damage to his right leg.

“We are aware that a few of our ballplayers sustained significant injuries during the course of the war that has potentially jeopardized the resumption of their careers, regretfully,” acknowledge the Commissioner. “But the Leagues and their clubs will not leave them in the lurch. We will ensure that they will be gainfully employed in a meaningful capacity, whether on the field or in some other capacity.”