Nauru was liberated from Japanese occupation

On 13 September 1945, Nauru was liberated from Japanese occupation, marking a significant moment in the island's history. The surrender was executed by Commander Hisayaki Soeda, who handed over control to the Australian Army and the Royal Australian Navy. Brigadier J. R. Stevenson, representing Lieutenant General Vernon Sturdee, commander of the First Australian Army, accepted the surrender aboard the warship HMAS Diamantina. This event not only signified the end of Japanese control but also initiated the process of repatriation for the Nauruan people. A total of 745 Nauruans, who had endured captivity in Chuuk, were returned to their homeland aboard the BPC ship Trienza in January 1946. This liberation and subsequent repatriation were crucial steps in restoring the island's sovereignty and rebuilding the community after the hardships faced during the war. #mooflife #mof #MomentOfLife #NauruLiberation #WorldWarIi #AustralianArmy #JapaneseOccupation #Repatriation