SCMP publishes its first post-war edition in 1945 – from the archive

This article was first published on August 30, 1945

Fleet entering

The first communique from the Hongkong Government to the people of Hongkong since December 1941 was issued this morning at 11 o’clock as follows:

“Rear Admiral Harcourt is lying outside Hongkong with a very strong fleet. The Naval Dockyard is to be ready for his arrival by noon to-day.

“Admiral Harcourt will enter the harbour having transferred his flag to the cruiser Swiftsure which will be accompanied by destroyers and submarines.

“The capital ships will follow as soon as a passage has been swept.

“The fleet includes two aircraft carriers Indomitable of 23,000 tons, and the Venerable; the battleship Anson of 35,000 tons and carrying 10 14-inch guns, the Euryalus and the Swiftsure carrying 10 5.2-inch guns; the merchant ship Maidstone of 8,500 tons, the merchant cruiser Prince Rupert, Canadian registry, and the Hospital ship Oxfordshire.

“A considerable number of other ships will follow in a day or two.

“The formal surrender is likely to follow the proceedings at Tokyo.”