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FORMATION of J FORCE

2NZEF (Japan) was formed in Florence, Italy, on 19th November 1945. The force of Army personnel included men from the 13th, 14th and 15th Reinforcements. Officers were drawn from those who had seen service in the Italian Campaign. Several of the Force were volunteers from earlier Reinforcements. The RNZAF's No. 14 Fighter Squadron, equipped with Corsairs, sailed from Auckland on the aircraft carrier HMS Glory to join the tactical air force contingent early in 1946. The men and vessels of HMNZS Achilles and HMNZS Hawea joined the Force from their stations in the Pacific where they were serving during the Japanese surrender. Brig KL Stewart was the first commander of J Force.

Occupation duties were conducted largely in the prefecture of Hiroshima. The Force was responsible for the demilitarisation and disposal of Japanese installations and armaments and for keeping order until civilian government could be re-established.

J Force was withdrawn from duty in September 1948.