Kure is the home port for the Australian occupational forces in Japan.
The "Aussies" took us into their clubs and many pleasant hours were spent with them. HELENA sailors became fast friends with Australian sailors from H.M.A.S. SHOALHAVEN, an Australian Frigate operating in our force. Daily trips were arranged to Meji Jima (Shrine Island) and to nearby Hiroshima, site of the explosion of the first Atomic bomb. Hundreds of rolls of film were exposed and many excellent pictures were obtained by our "shutter-bugs." At Kure, on Shrine Island, were seen the first cherry blossoms for which Japan is so famous. Hundreds of ancient shrines, sacred to the Japanese, were visited and photographed by the bluejackets. Our stay in Kure ended happily and we were soon on our way to Beppu.
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