Occupation of Japan - British Empire Force
Lieutenant-General Northcott said the British Commonwealth Occupation Force in Japan would have significant responsibilities, including supervising the disposal of Japanese war materials and directing Japanese labour. He praised the high standard of Australian troops and said details of the force's duties would soon be announced, with its responsibilities to be determined under General MacArthur's command.
OCCUPATION OF JAPAN
British Empire Force
COMMANDER'S STATEMENT
MELBOURNE, Monday. — "The duties already outlined for the British Commonwealth Occupation Force to Japan should make it clear that it would be no mere Empire token," the commander of the force, Lieutenant-General Northcott, said today.
One of the first responsibilities would be the disposal of many millions of tons of Japanese war materials allocated to Australian areas, with members of his force supervising and directing Japanese labour gangs.
Lieutenant-General Northcott, who has just returned from a brief visit to India and Singapore, said that the occupation troops he met there and the Australian contingent at Morotai had impressed him with their first-class appearance and evidence of high training.
"But I have warned the whole lot," he added, "that once we get to Japan there will be keen competition between the various components of the force to decide which battalion shall be sent to Tokyo to represent the British contingent to the occupation forces there."
An announcement about the force's functions, to be made jointly by the Governments concerned, would be issued soon, and he expected that, on the arrival of the first elements of the force in Japan, he would receive a directive from General MacArthur on the responsibilities of his command.