The Bomb Didn't Beat Japan... Stalin Did
- Thread starter Locutus
- Start date
Which is odd seeing as it was the US who had been pushing the Soviets for years to get involved in the war against Japan. Be careful what you ask for.
They had tests. They knew what it would do.
The Japanese Emperor's Surrender Speech to his people...
"Despite the best that has been done by everyone—the gallant fighting of the military and naval forces, the diligence and assiduity of Our servants of the State, and the devoted service of Our one hundred million people—the war situation has developed not necessarily to Japan's advantage, while the general trends of the world have all turned against her interest.
Moreover, the enemy has begun to employ a new and most cruel bomb, the power of which to do damage is, indeed, incalculable, taking the toll of many innocent lives. Should we continue to fight, not only would it result in an ultimate collapse and obliteration of the Japanese nation, but also it would lead to the total extinction of human civilization.
Such being the case, how are We to save the millions of Our subjects, or to atone Ourselves before the hallowed spirits of Our Imperial Ancestors? This is the reason why We have ordered the acceptance of the provisions of the Joint Declaration of the Powers....
The hardships and sufferings to which Our nation is to be subjected hereafter will be certainly great. We are keenly aware of the inmost feelings of all of you, Our subjects. However, it is according to the dictates of time and fate that We have resolved to pave the way for a grand peace for all the generations to come by enduring the unendurable and suffering what is unsufferable."
Revisionism fails yet again.
"Despite the best that has been done by everyone—the gallant fighting of the military and naval forces, the diligence and assiduity of Our servants of the State, and the devoted service of Our one hundred million people—the war situation has developed not necessarily to Japan's advantage, while the general trends of the world have all turned against her interest.
Moreover, the enemy has begun to employ a new and most cruel bomb, the power of which to do damage is, indeed, incalculable, taking the toll of many innocent lives. Should we continue to fight, not only would it result in an ultimate collapse and obliteration of the Japanese nation, but also it would lead to the total extinction of human civilization.
Such being the case, how are We to save the millions of Our subjects, or to atone Ourselves before the hallowed spirits of Our Imperial Ancestors? This is the reason why We have ordered the acceptance of the provisions of the Joint Declaration of the Powers....
The hardships and sufferings to which Our nation is to be subjected hereafter will be certainly great. We are keenly aware of the inmost feelings of all of you, Our subjects. However, it is according to the dictates of time and fate that We have resolved to pave the way for a grand peace for all the generations to come by enduring the unendurable and suffering what is unsufferable."
Revisionism fails yet again.
So the facts on the ground in Japan were in no way relevant to Japans surrender?
"Put yourself in the shoes of the emperor. You've just led your country through a disastrous war. The economy is shattered. Eighty percent of your cities have been bombed and burned. The Army has been pummeled in a string of defeats. The Navy has been decimated and confined to port. Starvation is looming. The war, in short, has been a catastrophe and, worst of all, you've been lying to your people about how bad the situation really is. They will be shocked by news of surrender. So which would you rather do? Admit that you failed badly? Issue a statement that says that you miscalculated spectacularly, made repeated mistakes, and did enormous damage to the nation? Or would you rather blame the loss on an amazing scientific breakthrough that no one could have predicted? At a single stroke, blaming the loss of the war on the atomic bomb swept all the mistakes and misjudgments of the war under the rug. The Bomb was the perfect excuse for having lost the war. No need to apportion blame; no court of enquiry need be held. Japan's leaders were able to claim they had done their best. So, at the most general level the Bomb served to deflect blame from Japan's leaders. "
Who gives a fu ck about this crap? And why? We needed to bomb the nasty bastards into the stone age and we did, end of story and lesson learned.
Oh btw, where were all you knowledgable heroes during this war and why did you not save the day by out talking the bad guys? Oh yeah, not born yet.
Who gives a fu ck about this crap? And why? We needed to bomb the nasty bastards into the stone age and we did, end of story and lesson learned.
Oh btw, where were all you knowledgable heroes during this war and why did you not save the day by out talking the bad guys? Oh yeah, not born yet.
It has long been known the Japanese had opened discussions with the Russians to
intercede on their behalf. Stalin did not do so. Yes Japan was looking for a way out
short of unconditional surrender which was not going to happen. Stalin was not
about to make a special deal for Japan. After all they had a large chunck of Europe
and they stood to perhaps get a hold on Japanese territory before the end of the war.
Japan was not seeking unconditional surrender they were looking for conditions
such as keeping the Emperor that is not unconditional. Russia would be nuts to
make a deal or go to bat for them. Japan had done the same kind of evil acts in
Asia that the Germans did in Europe.
intercede on their behalf. Stalin did not do so. Yes Japan was looking for a way out
short of unconditional surrender which was not going to happen. Stalin was not
about to make a special deal for Japan. After all they had a large chunck of Europe
and they stood to perhaps get a hold on Japanese territory before the end of the war.
Japan was not seeking unconditional surrender they were looking for conditions
such as keeping the Emperor that is not unconditional. Russia would be nuts to
make a deal or go to bat for them. Japan had done the same kind of evil acts in
Asia that the Germans did in Europe.
Why not accept that condition and end it even sooner then? Seeing as the US let them keep the Emperor anyway there doesnt really seem to have been any point in demanding unconditional surrender. Its just semantics and pride at that point.
They were already in the "stone age" and had been for months. Nearly the whole country was levelled, they had no resources and were surrounded. You dont need to invade or drop nukes to defeat a country in that state. Just sit there and wait them out. They were done and everyone knew it.
Just like the Soviets were doing as they advanced across Europe themselves. They did the same sorts of things in their brief war with Japan as well when they finally entered the war.