"Manpower" was as important as "horsepower," as one after another of the worn-out vehicles broke down on the road between Atsugi and Yokohama. Units of the forward echelons of GHQ and Headquarters, Fifth Air Force, were arriving by plane and were loading equipment to be used for an operating headquarters into the nondescript trucks which the Japanese had assembled. Meanwhile, regiments of the 11th Airborne were establishing their headquarters near the airfield. Near the administration building on the far side of the Atsugi airfield, some anxious-to-please Japanese armed guards were saluting every American who passed within yards of them. General Arisue suggested that he act as guide, but the Eighth Army Commander directed him to proceed at once along the proposed route to check security measures and then to remain in Yokohama. They discussed plans for the reception of General MacArthur and his party expected later that afternoon. I certainly never expected to get here by plane without a shot being fired." 7 General Swing briefly reviewed the situation for him and introduced General Arisue. He waved back to them saying, "This is the beachhead where I was supposed to land in the invasion of Japan. When General Eichelberger arrived approximately six hours after the first troops, his paratroopers sent up a great shout of welcome. Throughout the morning and early afternoon of 30 August the big transport planes continued to arrive in steady succession at Atsugi. The liaison patrol was from the 511th Parachute Infantry of the 11th Airborne, a unit which, after landing at Atsugi, had moved eastward to secure the Yokohama dock area in preparation for large scale amphibious landings in that vicinity. Hardly had the Marines established themselves when an infantry patrol from the 11th Airborne arrived from Atsugi to effect contact. Upon landing at Yokosuka, the Marine forces came under the command of General Eichelberger. In the missions outlined in "Blacklist," Eighth Army was assigned responsibility for occupying the Tokyo Bay area. Courteous Japanese officers and guides were available for further instructions. Coastal defenses and antiaircraft had been demilitarized and were marked with white flags which were visible for some miles. 4 The area had been cleared of all military personnel except for a small detachment which policed and guarded the area. It soon became apparent that the Japanese had meticulously followed the requirements stipulated in Manila. While United States forces were securing these important points in the Area of Initial Evacuation, not a shot was fired, although the Marines, like their airborne counterparts at Atsugi, took no chances and were ready for immediate combat should there be the slightest attempt at deception by the Japanese. 3 The main Fleet landing party went inland and established headquarters at Yokosuka Naval Base. 2 Forts and shore batteries on Futsusaki, a narrow spit jutting out from the eastern shore into Uraga Strait, were occupied by small landing parties. The First and Second Carrier Task Forces (Task Forces 39 and 38) patrolled the coastal waters of the Empire, prepared to make a show of force if necessary. Simultaneously with the development of this airhead at Atsugi, elements of the Third Fleet anchored in Sagami Bay supported the landing of the 4th Regimental Combat Team of the 6th Marine Division at Yokosuka. Swing, Commander of the Division, conferred with Lieutenant General Arisue, making final arrangements for the arrival of General Eichelberger and later, General MacArthur. Its first echelon began landing at Atsugi early on the morning of 30 August, and troop and cargo-carrying aircraft continued to arrive at three-minute intervals throughout the day. While the advance party secured Atsugi airstrip and made arrangements for the landing of additional troops, the 11th Airborne Division on Okinawa prepared itself for airlift to Japan. TROOP MOVEMENTS, DISPOSITIONS, AND LOCATIONS Chapter 2: Troop Movements, Dispositions, and Locations
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