那是一九四五年九月九日，日 军对华投降仪式的一次采访。
It was on September 9, 1945 that I was sent to cover the Japanese surrender ceremony at Nanjing. a On a hot summer day at the end of the anti-Japanese war, I got a job I through Ke Ling\* as a staff member of the Shanghai Wen Hui Bao\*\*, a newspaper that had just resumed publication.
抗战刚刚结束，一个炎夏日子，柯灵同志介绍我在复刊后的上海 文汇报工作"。
Luckily, I was sent to Nanjing about a month later to report on the historic event in my capacity as special correspondent.
我很幸运，到职后约一个月，便以该报特派记者身份， 去南京采访那个历史时刻的现场实景，同行的是摄影记者穆一龙。
I was accompanied by press photographer Mu Yilong.
车抵南京，费了一番周折，办妥了人场采访的各项手续，终于在 日军投降签字仪式举行前及时赶到，得以目击这一历史性的场面。
After arriving in Nanjing by train, with elaborate formalities gone through, we came just in time for the opening of the surrender ceremony.
是日，南京黄埔路"中国陆军司令部〞大门外的广场上，来往军 人骤增。
The day witnessed a sudden increase of armymen hurrying to and fro on the square in front of the gate of the Chinese Army Headquarters on Huangpu Road, Nanjing.
到处可见大写字，即英文 Victory(胜利》 的第一个字母也。
The capital letter V, signifying Victory, was in sight here and there.
通向大礼堂的甬道两侧，全部美式配备的岗哨林立，吉普车往来不 绝。
Lining the paved path leading to the assembly hall were numerous sentries fully armed with US-made equipment and jeeps kept zooming up and down.
间或可见三三两两的美国宪兵协助警成。
Occasionally, US MPs were seen assisting in keeping watch in twos and threes.
景象森严，气氛肃穆， 确是一个不同寻常的日子。
It was indeed an unusual day characterized by utmost vigilance and solemn atmosphere.
按照印发的时间表，仪式于上午九时举行，"投降代表务必于八 时五十二分到会场"，实际上是八时五十五分到场的，迟了三分钟。
Ke Ling (1909-2000), renowned contemporary Chinese essayist, playwright and literary critic.
代 表投降一方的是驻华日军最高指挥官陆军大将冈村宁次，偕同其高 级幕僚共七人，在一名国民党上校军官带领下，乘车到达。
Wen Hui Bao, Chinese daily newspaper first published in 1938 in Shanghai.
聚集在门 前的上百名中外记者，纷纷摄取这一情景。
According to the printed timetable distributed to the public, the surrender ceremony was to begin at 9:00 a.m. and the Japanese surrender delegation had to show up by 8:52 a.m., but they arrived at 8:55 a.m.. that is, 3 minutes late.
此时在大礼堂内，一片凝固的沉默。
The Japanese delegation consisted of General Yasuji Okamura, supreme commander of the Japanese invading forces in China, and six of his senior aides.
礼堂中央的一侧，设一较小 的长条案，为日军投降代表席，其后站立十二名全副武装的土兵。
As they arrived by car under the guidance of a KMT colonel, over a hundred Chinese and foreign newsmen gathered at the gate hastened to click their cameras.
与 投降席相对，另一侧的条桌宽长得多，这边是国民党高级将领及中国 记者席。
There was a sustained utter silence in the hall.
国民党陆军一级上将何应钦代表中国接受降书。
In the center of it, there was on one side a smaller long table for seating the Japanese delegates, with 12 fully-armed Chinese soldiers lining up behind.
介乎两桌之 间的边侧置有一长桌，乃盟国代表和外国记者坐席。
On the other side, there was another table, much longer and wider, for seating the KMT high- ranking officers and Chinese newsmen.
桌上都铺着白桌 布。
KMT General He Ying-qin was to accept the surrender on behalf of China.
所有参与其盛的人员均依次坐定，默默等待着那庄严时刻的到 来，等待着日军降将进入大厅。
Still another long table stood in between for Allied representatives and foreign correspondents.
在这一瞬间，我的思潮翻腾。
The tables were all covered with a white cloth.
八年抗战的灾难日子，任人宰割的 中华民族，国土沦丧的屈呼生活，从此一去不复返了。
All personnel then took their seats one after another, quietly awaiting the solemn hour and the appearance of the Japanese delegation.
然而内战的乌 云笼單着中国雅土之上，中国人民真正站起来的目子还有所待。
At this very moment, my mind was occupied with teeming thoughts.
不过 我深信，这个日子将不是很远了。
The disastrous days of the 8-year war of resistance were gone for ever.
这时我注意到，日军代表的投降席条案上摆着一台小时钟，还有 一套纸墨笔砚。
The Chinese people would never again be subiected to the humiliation of being annexed and subjugated.