page_title: Stanley Savige
section_title: Bougainville
hierarchical_section_title: Stanley Savige / Second World War / Bougainville
caption_attribution_description: English: THE SOLOMON ISLANDS, 1945-09-08. LIEUTENANT GENERAL MASATANE KANDA, COMMANDER JAPANESE XVII ARMY, SIGNING THE INSTRUMENT OF SURRENDER AT II AUSTRALIAN CORPS HEADQUARTERS, TOROKINA, BOUGAINVILLE ISLAND, WITH BRIGADIER A.R.GARRETT (BGS II CORPS) LOOKING ON. THE OTHER JAPANESE OFFICER IS VICE ADMIRAL BARON TOMOSHIGE SAMEJIMA, COMMANDER EIGHTH FLEET. SEATED AT THE HEAD OF THE TABLE IS LIEUTENANT GENERAL SIR STANLEY G. SAVIGE (GOC II CORPS) WHILST STANDING BEHIND (PARTLY OBSCURED) IS AIR COMMODORE G.N. ROBERTS (RNZAF AIR TASK FORCE) AND THE OFFICER IN THE AMERICAN UNIFORM IS LIEUTENANT COLONEL J.P.COURSEY (US MARINES). THE TWO SWORDS WERE HANDED OVER BY THE JAPANESE OFFICERS. (RNZAF OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPH.)
context_page_description: Lieutenant General Sir Stanley George Savige, KBE, CB, DSO, MC, ED was an Australian Army soldier and officer who served in the First World War and Second World War.
  In March 1915, after the outbreak of the First World War, Savige enlisted in the First Australian Imperial Force. He served in the ranks during the Gallipoli Campaign, and received a commission. He later served on the Western Front, where he was twice recommended for the Military Cross for bravery. In 1918, he joined Dunsterforce and served in the Caucasus Campaign, during which he was instrumental in protecting thousands of Assyrian refugees. He subsequently wrote a book, Stalky's Forlorn Hope, about his experiences. After the war he played a key role in the establishment of Legacy Australia, the war widows and orphans benefit fund.
  During the early years of the Second World War, Savige commanded the 17th Infantry Brigade in the North African Campaign, the Battle of Greece and Syria–Lebanon Campaign. His outspoken criticism of professional soldiers earned him their rancour. He returned to Australia in early 1942, and later commanded the 3rd Division in the Salamaua–Lae campaign.
context_section_description: Although geographically the largest of the Solomon Islands, Bougainville was politically part of Australian New Guinea and Prime Minister John Curtin desired that Australia should contribute to the garrison. Savige’s II Corps was ordered to "reduce enemy resistance on Bougainville Island as opportunity offers without committing major forces". "To a commander like General Savige, who was not only deeply imbued with the doctrine of aggressiveness which was an AIF article of faith in both world wars but also burning to end his military career in a swirl of action,"" wrote correspondent John Hetherington, Savige's orders "were invitingly flexible." GHQ reckoned that there were no more than 12,000 Japanese left on Bougainville, while LHQ estimated 25,000. Actually, more than 40,000 Japanese were still alive on Bougainville in November 1944.
  
  Savige's sixth and last campaign of the war was free of controversy about his command. Once again, he had a talented regular officer as chief of staff, Brigadier Ragnar Garrett, with whom he had worked in Greece during 1941 and more recently in New Guinea. Moreover, as a corps commander, tactical details could be left to subordinates, although Savige still had to keep a close eye on them to ensure that they did not take unnecessary risks or incur needless casualties. Savige continued to tour the front lines wearing his scarlet cap band and flying his car flag. He also maintained his concern for, and rapport with, the ordinary soldiers under his command. The final campaign on Bougainville cost 516 Australian lives. Some 8,500 Japanese were killed while 9,800 died of other causes, leaving 23,571 still alive when the war ended. On 8 September 1945, Savige accepted their surrender at Torokina.
caption: Savige (seated centre, head of table) presides as Lieutenant General Masatane Kanda (seated left) surrenders Japanese forces on Bougainville on 8 September 1945.
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