Originally Posted by
layman
Thread Drift:
tdracer
I've seen it claimed several times that the A-bombs were a (significant) adjunct to Japan's decision to surrender, but it was the Russian invasion of Manchuria, and threatened invasion of the Japanese islands, that were the icing on the cake of 4 years of allied (primarily US) endeavours against Japan.
For example, in Paul Ham's "Hiroshima Nagasaki" two quotes highlight this:
12 August - Kantaro Suzuki (Japanese Prime Minister) is quoted as saying "If we miss today, the Soviet Union will take not only Manchuria, Korea, Karafuto, but also Hokkaido. This would destroy the foundation of Japan. We must end the war while we can deal with the United States." (page 395)
17 August - Hirohito (in his surrender speech to the Japanese military) said "Now that the Soviet Union has entered the war to continue (fighting) would only result in further useless damage and eventually endanger the very foundation of the empire's existence." (p. 380)
9 August - Hiroshima
11 August - Nagasaki
9 August - Russian launch 'surprise' (and very successful) attacks with forces in excess of 1.5 million soldiers
10-14 August - 1,000 plus B-29 bombing sorties on Japan
10 August and on - numerous raids and shore bombardments by US 3rd fleet (including elements of the BPF)
15 August - Japanese surrender
Surprised no-one has has picked up on this, but for the sake of accuracy:
9 6 August - Hiroshima
11 9 August - Nagasaki
9 August -
co-incidentally Russian launch 'surprise' (and very successful) attacks with forces in excess of 1.5 million soldiers
Probably the only time Stalin kept his word to the other Allies, after he promised to attack Japan
30 90 days after the cessation of hostilities in Europe. But it was only to gain territory in the Far East for the 'advancement' of communism.
Good 'read' on the subject is "The Last Mission" by Jim Smith and Malcolm McConnell.
(edited for brevity and correctness)