#TodayinHistory in 1945, 75 years ago, General Tomoyuki Yamashita, the "Tiger of Malaya," commander of the Japanese forces in #PH, surrendered to the Allied forces, signing the surrender papers at 12:10 pm at the U.S. High Commissioner's residence in #Baguio #PH. (THREAD)
In late June, with the defeat of the Japanese forces at Bessang Pass, the beleaguered troops led by Gen. Yamashita could no longer mount a counter-offensive. U.S. Gen. declared the complete liberation of Luzon on 28 June 1945.
The first direct contact of the Allied forces w/ Yamashita was established on 26 August. Prior to this, his whereabouts & leadership role among the trapped Japanese forces in the Cordilleras were only assumed. An intention to surrender 1st reached the Allied HQ in #PH on 24 Aug.
An hour after Japan's signing of the Instrument of Surrender at Tokyo Bay, Yamashita, accompanied by his Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Akira Muto, showed themselves to the Allied forces at Kiangan. A 2nd group led by Vice Adm. Denhichi Okochi, also surrendered.
From Kiangan, Yamashita and his fellow surrendered generals were transported via jeep to Bagabag Airfield, where they were taken to a Douglas C-47 plane, flying them to Baguio for the formal surrender ceremony.
U.S. General Jonathan Wainwright, & British Lt. Gen. Arthur Percival were flown from Japan to Baguio to witness the event as profound symbolic gesture. Percival surrendered Singapore to Yamashita on 15 Feb 1942, while Wainwright surrendered Corregidor to Homma on 6 May 1942.
At 12:10 pm, at the U.S. High Commissioner's residence at Camp John Hay, #Baguio, Yamashita & Okochi signed the surrender papers. 3 hours later, they were flown to Nielsen Airport & imprisoned at Bilibid. Yamashita would be hanged in Los Baños in 1946 for crimes against humanity.
Here's a copy of the Instrument of Surrender signed by Yamashita and Okochi, featured by my colleague @eufems, part of the @NHCPOfficial Museum of Philippine Political History collection, at Malolos, Bulacan #PH.
Yamashita's surrender formally ended #WWII in #PH.
*Photos from @librarycongress, @USNHistory, & @USNatArchives
Tagging @subselfie @tonitiemsin @jmnualla
Erratum: *U.S. Gen. Douglas MacArthur
@subselfie @tonitiemsin @jmnualla
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