Flooding renews threats of famine in Vietnam
17 August. In a disturbing reminder of events leading up to the mass famine earlier in the year, flood waters breach dikes on the Red River upstream from Hanoi. Within days, 150 breaches are reported around the delta, about one third of Tonkin’s summer rice crop being inundated as a result. Its inability to deal with the situation dispels any remaining credibility that the royal government may have had. The floods also inhibit vehicle movement by both Japanese and Chinese troops, offering a temporary benefit to local insurgents.
Indonesian constitution adopted
18 August. With its original Japanese-appointed members augmented by some senior officials chosen by Sukarno, the Preparatory Committee for the Independence of Indonesia (PPKI) endorses the constitution drafted in June by its Java-based predecessor. However, the special position for Islam is dropped and virtually absolute powers are granted to the President for a transitional period until legislative bodies can be elected. Sukarno and Hatta are chosen as President and Vice President. The borders of the new republic are to match those oftheold Netherlands East Indies (thus excluding British Borneo and Malaya). Next day, the PPKI meets again and approves a new cabinet as well as determining division of the country into provinces.
Pro-Japanese military groups disbanded in Indonesia
18 August. Over the next four days, all units of the Peta militia and Heiho volunteers (formed to support the Japanese war effort) are dissolved and their soldiers sent home. With the dissolution of established command structures, the move will hamper the creation of a national army for the new country.
Japanese surrender organized
19 August. A Japanese delegation arrives in Manila for a meeting with General Douglas MacArthur and U.S. officials to finalize surrender details. While travelling to and from the airport, the Japanese have to be protected from angry Filipinos threatening to attack them. At the same time, the Philippine Army begins demobilizing. Its units are no longer needed to invade Japan.
Japanese in Singapore begin constructing internment camp
20 August. Representatives from the military and the newly formed civilian ‘Japanese Association’ select a site for an internment camp where Japanese civilians in Syonan can await repatriation. Japanese propaganda papers announce publically that Japan has surrendered, printing the imperial rescript on surrender in its entirety. Similar internment camps were constructed throughout Asia.
Roadmap agreed on Japanese surrender
17 August. General Order No. 1, prescribing when, where and to whom Japanese forces may surrender, is approved by President Truman after having been hastily negotiated between the Allies. The formal surrender of Japan to the Americans takes priority, even though elsewhere this will leave a power vacuum until local surrenders can be accepted.
Indonesian independence declared
17 August. After a night of bargaining between Sukarno and Hatta, the radical pemuda, Admiral Maeda and the Japanese Army, a very short proclamation of independence is drafted at Admiral Maeda’s house in Jakarta. Sukarno later reads out this proclamation, signed by himself and Hatta, in the presence of PPKI delegates at his private residence.
Moves to consolidate new Indonesian republic
22 August. On the same day that the Japanese surrender is publicly announced in Indonesia, the Preparatory Committee for the Independence of Indonesia (PPKI) meets again and sets up the Central Indonesian National Committee (KNIP) as a proto-legislature to advise the government. The beginnings of a national army are made as well with formation of a People’s Security Agency (BKR), which recruits among disbanded troops from Peta and similar units. The Partai Nasional Indonesia (PNI) is also established as a state party, with Sukarno as ‘Great Leader’, Hatta as ‘Deputy Great Leader’ and Sartono as ‘Head’ (see p. 122). At the end of the month, however, the party is dissolved after being considered ‘unnecessary’. (A new PNI is launched in January 1946.)