Okay, it is not a map. However, as a follow-up to a post about the Japanese surrender several weeks ago, I believe this photo is appropriate for today (actually two days ago, can't believe I missed it). September 2, 1945 marked the end of the Second World War. At the cost of an estimated 50 million lives the world could once again live in relative peace. While many people believe all WW2 photographs are black & white, a surprising number of color photos exist. Here the somber Japanese delegation boards the USS Missouri for the signing of documents officially ending the war. Contrary to Japanese belief, the Allied powers did not eliminate the Emperor but instead helped Japan rebuild into one of the great industrial nations of the latter half of the twentieth century.
Today marks V-J Day, the 57th anniversary go Japan's agreement to surrender unconditionally. The surrender came as a relief to Allied commanders who faced the daunting task of invading the Japanese home islands. Operation Olympic was the planned October 1945 (X-Day would have been November 1st) invasion of the Japanese island of Kyushu. Bases established by the capture of Kyushu would have supported the spring 1946 invasion of the Kanto Plain near Tokyo on the island of Honshu.
American soldiers did not doubt the will of the Japanese to fight tenaciously even when defeat was obvious. Having witnessed mass suicides by Japanese civilians during the battle of Okinawa, Allied planners expected to encounter resistance from not only the Japanese soldiers but civilians. Estimated American casualty rates varied wildly. General Douglas MacArthur's staff estimated 105,000 casualties in the first 120 days. A report put together for Secretary of State Henry Stimson suggested that casualties could reach four million!
V-J Day eliminated the need for an invasion of the Japanese home islands. The surrender was formalized on September 2, 1945 onboard the battleship Missouri. MacArthur was named Supreme Allied Commander (SCAP). In this position, arguably the most powerful position ever held by an American, MacArthur rewrote the Japanese constitution and initiated post-war reconstruction.
70 years ago this month the Japanese, led by Tomoyuki Yamashita invaded Malaya with the ultimate goal of conquering Great Britain's prized Asian colony of Singapore. For his effort and inspired leadership Yamashita would gain the nickname "Tiger of Malaya."
The campaign began on December 8th, 1941 when the Japanese 25th Army landed in northern Malaya. Making generous use of bicycles to move quickly through the jungle Japanese troops surged southwards towards Singapore.
For Great Britain, the situation took a critical turn for the worse on December 10th. Force Z, a naval battlegroup composed of the battleship Prince of Wales, battlecruiser Repulse and four destroyers was overwhelmed by Japanese aircraft. Losing both the Prince of Wales and the Repulse, the British were left without a naval force to counter the invasion.
Operating with impunity in the air and at sea the Japanese arrived at Singapre in less than two months. On January 31, 1942 British engineers blew the causeway connecting Singapore with the mainland. Singapore would only hold out until February 15th.
Looking for a last-minte Christmas present for a young person in your life? Written by the author of the Battle Maps blog and in the tradition of John Haaren's Famous Men series Alacrity Press is proud to introduce a new entry to biography-driven history, Famous Men of the Second World War. In this book adults, youth and older children can learn about history's most complex event through the eyes of the people who played pivotal roles in the conflict. Oh, just so you know it is relevant, the book contains over a dozen battle maps. Joy!
A support website with a sample chapter and other neat goodies (click on downloads) may be found at www.famousmenww2.com. The book is also available from the Alacrity Press bookstore.
