On 2 September 1945 the Japanese Instrument of Surrender, the written agreement that formalized the surrender of the Empire of Japan, marking the end of World War II was signed. It was signed by representatives from the Empire of Japan, the United States of America, the Republic of China, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the Commonwealth of Australia, the Dominion of Canada, the Provisional Government of the French Republic, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and the Dominion of New Zealand. The signing took place on the deck of USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945.

Pictured here is Leonard Monk Isitt, signing the instrument of surrender. Isitt was a New Zealand military aviator and senior air force commander. In 1943 he became the first New Zealander to serve as the Chief of Air Staff of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, a post he held until 1946. After the war he worked as chairman of Tasman Empire Airways.

Archives New Zealand Reference: ADQA 17263 AIR118 72/64 part 36

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