 The following afternoon, although the governor had not yet surrendered the territory, a ceremony was carried out to signal the British occupation of New Britain.The German administration had withdrawn inland to Toma and at dawn on 14 September, and subsequently bombarded a ridge near the town, while half a battalion advanced towards the town supported by a field gun.The show of firepower was sufficient to start negotiations, ending the Siege of Toma following the surrender of the remaining garrison of 40 Germans and 110 native police.