USS Wantuck (APD-125) embarking landing party sailors from USS Indiana (BB-58) on August 20, 1945

USS Indiana (BB-58) transferring sailors for landing party duty to USS Wantuck (APD-125) on August 20, 1945, while steaming off Japan. Task Force 31, the Yokosuka Occupation Force, was formed to clear Tokyo and Sagami Bays of mines and occupy Yokosuka Naval Base ahead of the official Japanese surrender ceremony in Tokyo Bay. As a part of Task Group 31.4, Task Force 31’s Transport Group, Wantuck was one of the many transport and amphibious vessels carrying marines and landing party sailors ashore, herself carrying 115 men and 17 officers of two bomb disposal units and one communications unit. Wantuck transported troops from various 3rd Fleet warships to the other vessels in Task Group 31.4, so the sailors in the footage are most likely not the aforementioned troops she landed at Yokosuka on August 30.
This is also great footage of what weapons and gear were issued to landing party sailors. Seen in the footage are M1 helmets, M1923 cartridge belts, M1937 BAR magazine belts, M1936 pistol belts with M1 carbine magazine pouches, M1928 haversacks, and M1936 suspenders. Miscellaneous gear and weapons includes M1916 holsters, spare magazine bags, navy contract M1938 leggings, M1910 canteens and covers, an M1905 bayonet, Mk. II Ka-Bar knives, M1903 Springfield rifles, M1911A1 pistols, an M1A1 Thompson submachine gun, a .30 AN/M2 machine gun, and M1918A2 BARs.
Footage (428-NPC-12619): catalog.archiv...
USS WANTUCK War Diary 8/1-31/45: catalog.archiv...
USS INDIANA War Diary 8/1-31/45: catalog.archiv...
COMTASK-GROUP 31.4 Rep of opers in the occupation & securing of Yokosuka (Japan) Naval Base & surrounding area 8/30/45-9/2/45: catalog.archiv...
COMTASKFOR 31 Rep of opers in the initial landings, occupation & securing of the Yokosuka Area, Honshu, Japan, 8/19/45-9/8/45, including seizure of HIJMS NAGATO on 8/30/45: catalog.archiv...