AMERICA ENDS WORLD WAR II
JAPAN DEFIANT
By August 1945, America was poised to achieve total victory in World War II. As described in my preceding article Downfall, following the August 6, 1945, atomic attack on Hiroshima, it was evident that the Potsdam Declaration was no bluff. American broadcasts and leaflets announced the nuclear catastrophe and existence of the atomic bomb to the Japanese people. But it took several days for traumatized Japanese leaders to gather some idea of what had happened from confusing reports. Moreover, ruling military officials defiantly minimized the profound and transitional significance of the Enola Gay atomic mission and rationalized continued resistance. Meanwhile, on August 8, Foreign Minister Shigenori Togo presented the emperor a detailed report about Hiroshima and urged His Divine Majesty to immediately end the war by accepting the Potsdam Declaration.
SOVIET INTERVENTION
At 11:00 pm on August 8 in Moscow, Soviet Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov informed Japanese ambassador Naotake Sato that the USSR was declaring war on Japan. Consequently, Soviet forces invaded Manchuria and overwhelmed the Japanese Kwantung Army. Subsequently, Joseph Stalin would communize Manchuria and the industrial heart of Korea. Following this ominous development, the Japanese Supreme Council for the Direction of the War remained deadlocked. Military leaders Yoshijirō Umezu, Soemu Toyoda and Korechika Anami quixotically maintained that any surrender must guarantee the emperor as sovereign, prevent Allied occupation and make Japan responsible for disarmament and any war crimes prosecution. Prime Minister Kantarō Suzuki, Togo, and Navy chief Mitsumasa Yonai argued that the Potsdam Declaration was non-negotiable. Rejection of the ultimatum on July 28 had led to Hiroshima. As Sato advised, the only ambiguity was the status of the monarchy, which the Allies had carefully not specified.
SECONDARY TARGET
At 10:00 am on August 9 in Tokyo, Emperor Showa (Hirohito) granted Suzuki an audience. Marquis Kido, Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal, told Suzuki that Japan should terminate the war by “taking advantage of the Potsdam terms” and that His Divine Majesty wished to hear the views of his ministers. However, forty-five minutes earlier, America dropped a second atomic bomb on Japan. Commanded by Maj. Charles W. Sweeney of Quincy, Massachusetts (the executive officer of the USAAF 509th Composite Group on Tinian), a B-29 named Bockscar delivered a plutonium implosion device nicknamed Fat Man. The city of Kokura was the primary target. However, after three bombing runs, visibility was overcast and deemed insufficient. Therefore, Sweeney diverted to the secondary target of Nagasaki, which then suffered the same horrific fate as Hiroshima.
INDECISION AND INTERVENTION
Meanwhile, the Supreme Council met as news of Nagasaki arrived. Incredibly, the three military diehards continued to insist on their unrealistic conditions. The indecisive melodrama continued before the full Imperial Court and dragged late into the evening of August 9. Then, in an extraordinary session at Midnight, His Divine Majesty intervened and told his ministers that they “had to bear the unbearable” and accept the Potsdam Declaration. Therefore, a message sent to Washington via Sweden and Switzerland said, precisely, that Japan accepted “with the understanding that the declaration does not compromise any demand which prejudices the prerogatives of His Majesty as Sovereign Ruler.” Consequently, the U. S. replied that the authority of the emperor and government would be subject to the Supreme Commander Allied Powers, Gen. Douglas MacArthur. After that, President Truman suspended B-29 conventional and atomic attacks by the Twentieth Air Force.
COUP D’ETAT AND SURRENDER
In Tokyo, Japan’s outraged military leaders vowed to fight on. Anami and Umezu controlled the resources to seize power. First, the Americans intercepted Foreign Ministry cables from Tokyo warning embassies that the military rejected the surrender offer, Next, they intercepted messages from the Imperial General Headquarters ordering all military units to “preserve the Fatherland and annihilate the enemy.” Thus, an atmosphere of great peril fell over Tokyo. So, on August 14, B-29s resumed missions over Japan. At 11:00 pm, Hirohito met with the cabinet and ordered surrender. Subsequently, Washington learned about the decision just before 3:00 a.m. EWT. As a result, and misrepresenting the alleged blessing of Anami and Umezu, a coup d’état broke out. Consequently. marauding junior officers briefly occupied the Imperial Palace. However, cooler heads prevailed. After consuming a conspicuous supply of sake, Anami sliced open his stomach in the ritual of seppuku (hara-kiri), thus ending any rebellion.
THE JEWEL VOICE BROADCAST
His Divine Majesty recorded a radio address that NHK (the Japan Broadcasting Company) personnel hid from the fanatical young officers. NHK broadcast the address and an Imperial Rescript (see above) at noon, Japan Standard Time, August 15. Hirohito told his people that because “the war had not necessarily developed in Japan’s favor” that they had to “imagine the unimaginable” and accept the Potsdam Declaration. He said that a new and cruel weapon forced his decision. But he spoke in the formal court language, and an NHK announcer had to explain in common vernacular that Japan surrendered.
RELIEF AND CELEBRATION
First, at 7:00 pm Eastern War Time on August 14, CBS World News Tonight anchor Robert Trout broke the news that Japan had accepted the Potsdam Agreement and that World War II was therefore at an end. Meanwhile, President Harry Truman announced that to the satisfaction of the government of the United States, Japan had complied and surrendered. Therefore, the President declared Wednesday, August 15, a day of celebration and prayer, A formal designation of V-J or Victory over Japan Day would await a surrender ceremony (which took place on September 2). However, joyous Americans and people around the world broke into spontaneous and uncontained celebration. Moreover, everyone alive felt great relief that America had avoided the catastrophic invasions of Operation Olympic and Operation Coronet. Truman’s resolve and Hirohito’s courage had saved millions of lives and spared Japan from virtual extinction due to continued bombing, starvation by quarantine or invasion.
ENDURING THE UNENDURABLE
At first, the staff of the Supreme Commander instructed a Japanese delegation to travel to Ie Shima. Next, they flew to Manila aboard an AAF C-54 to begin the transition to American occupation. Subsequently, on August 28, 1945, Americans landed at Atsugi Airbase near Tokyo. Broadcasting personnel took control of NHK, where Japanese colleagues warmly greeted them. Meanwhile, other surprised Americans also received a friendly welcome. Theodore White of Time and Life was amazed to observe a “curious attitude” at Atsugi. “The Japanese acted as if we were partners in a common cause. (Japanese diplomats and newsmen) shook hands with the Americans and interpreters rushed back and forth beaming with goodwill.” Then, on August 31, 1945, wearing his sunglasses and armed only with his trademark corncob pipe, Gen. Douglas MacArthur dramatically stepped off his C-54 Bataan. Thus, a new era dawned for Japan.
THE NEW JAPAN
The people of Japan were conditioned to fear Americans. Employers distributed cyanide pills so women could kill themselves rather than submit to rape. But Gen. MacArthur had a different plan for Japanese women. Above all, he would give them the vote in a new and democratic nation. Moving into the Yokohama New Grand Hotel, the Supreme Commander refused to have his food tasted. Meanwhile, determined that the occupation be peaceful and constructive from the outset, he ordered American forces to only eat their own rations and forbid them to impose upon the Japanese people for sustenance. Then, he refused to impose martial law or curfews. Finally, he allowed Japanese fisherman to freely ply the coastal waters for their catch. Consequently, word spread about this surprising and beneficent Supreme Commander. Meanwhile, as Americans became acquainted with Japanese civilians, it became clear that pre-occupation fears were unwarranted.
SEPTEMBER 2, 1945
On the morning of September 2, 1945, as mist spread across the coastal hills surrounding Tokyo Bay, a solemn delegation of Japanese military officers and diplomats in formal attire headed across the waters toward the formidable battleship U. S. S. Missouri. The emotional entourage was dumbfounded by the hundreds of warships that rode quietly at anchor. Once aboard, they were met by thousands of American sailors and dignitaries from all the allied United Nations. With Gen. Jonathan Wainwright, who surrendered the Philippines and Gen. Arthur Percival, who surrendered Singapore, standing behind him, the Supreme Commander spoke movingly in victory.
OLYMPIAN MOMENT
The Japanese officials marveled at MacArthur’s lack of vindictiveness. Toschikazu Kase of the Foreign Ministry reported “What a stirring eloquence and noble vision. Here is the victor announcing the verdict to the prostrate enemy. He can exact his pound of flesh if he so chooses. He can impose a humiliating penalty of he so desires. And yet he pleads for freedom, tolerance, and justice … for the living heroes and dead martyrs of the war this speech was a wreath of undying flowers. MacArthur’s words sailed on wings … this narrow quarterdeck was now transformed into an altar of peace.” Correspondents described MacArthur’s demeanor as “Olympian.” During the ceremony, Adm. Chester W. Nimitz signed the instrument of surrender as the representative of the United States. After that, hundreds of American bombers and fighters flew overhead in victory formations.
A NOBLER IDEAL
On September 3, new Foreign Minister Mamoru Shigemitsu appeared at the Imperial Court and read Kase’s report about the events board the Missouri to the curious Hirohito, who listened intently. At first, Kase reported that it was a “rare good fortune” that a man of “such caliber and character should have been designated as Supreme Commander to shape the destiny of Japan. In our hour of darkness, a bright light is ushered in, in the very person of Gen. MacArthur.” Subsequently, Kase wondered “whether it would have been possible for us, had we been victorious, to embrace the vanquished with similar magnanimity. Clearly it would have been different … we were not beaten on the battlefield by dint of superior arms. We were defeated in the spiritual contest by virtue of a nobler ideal. The real issue was moral and beyond all the powers of algebra to compute.”
CHERRY BLOSSOMS
Aboard Missouri, Kase had noticed the many rising sun flag decals on the steel bulkhead. “I could hardly bear the sight … heroes of unwritten stories, those were young boys who defied death gaily and gallantly … they were like cherry blossoms, emblems of our national character, swiftly blooming into riotous beauty and falling just as quickly.” Hirohito lingered over this closing remark for a long time, sighed deeply, He nodded and murmured “Ah so, ah so deska.”
This narrative continues with The Marshall Plan and NATO – America’s Finest Hour. Meanwhile, please read my previous installments Trinity and Downfall. Likewise, you can find all the details of August 1945 in my timely and essential book America Ascendant, the Rise of American Exceptionalism, available from fine booksellers everywhere.