1945 Naval Bombardment of Japan

[@theoldman8877]

Some years ago I visited Japan. I was engaged in conversations by a WWII Japanese a soldier. He was very old he told me that he believed that dropping the two atomic bombs saved his life because until that happened they were being instructed to fight to the last man woman and child. That they all believed it was their duty to the Emperor to die fighting. He was in tears when he said he owed his life and his family lives to America and the atomic bombs. That conversation changed my position about having used those weapons.

[@828enigma6]

So much for those who say it was unethical and immoral for the US to use nuclear weapons on Japan. It speaks volumes when even your former enemy said it was a good thing. Both sides would have lost millions of people. US, soldiers, airmen, and navy, the Japanese, military, men, women, children, and babies. The Japanese people, not just combatants, would have been annihilated.

[@ronjones9447]

You cannot judge history by todays standards. I believe it was the right idea then and considering the losses both sides would have suffered, it was still a god idea in modern times. It saved lives

[@judd0112]

@@828enigma6 I’m very surprised that all those anti-drop the bombers haven’t chimed in on any of these conversations. Usually I can’t resist trying to explain why and what would have happened if not ans that the firebombing raids killed more. But they usually are blocked off from any logic and facts. Kinda of like some people that are running OUR country into the ground as we speak

[@oldtimefarmboy617]

During the war the ratio of casualties (killed, crippled, seriously injured) were 11 Japanese for every 1 ally. The strategist for the allies had gotten very good at estimating the number of casualties so they could plan on having enough medical personnel and supplies on hand to care for all of the injured and to handle the bodies of all those killed. Those strategist estimated over 3 million allied casualties to invade and conquer the Japanese home island.

[@timengineman2nd714]

My farther's LST (Landing Ship Tank) was going to be in the 1st wave of the landings by Nagasaki. (Operation Olympic, the invasion of Kyushu, was the first of two landings that Operation Downfall would entail) That's how much resistance they were expecting! Normally a LST doesn't go in until the 3rd wave (or after), rarely on the 2nd wave, since in the Pacific the need for tanks wasn't as great.... The Trouble was that due to the cliffs and almost cliffs on Kyushu plus reefs & shoals, meant that there were very few places where a Landing could take place and the Japanese knew this, so the need for tanks in the first wave was great. My father, who already experienced Kamikaze attacks figured that odds were that the A-Bomb probably saved his life since, as he noted, LST also stood for Large Slow Target!

[@cliff8669]

My Father's last tour of duty in the Navy was on board USS Iowa. His retirement ceremony took place in front of the forward turret. He also received the U.S. Flag which was raised during morning colors on Iowa. This took place in 1985. 24 years of Naval service. He was a tin can sailor by trade. Serving on a battlewagon has always been his wish. He got what he wished for. James M. White Chief Petty Officer United States Navy Retired. Resting in peace at the Veterans Cemetery Dallas Texas Dec 2013.

[@angmukiok2631]

DO NOT FORGT THIS EVER kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5vHhY2YmrCiaMU

[@stuckinmygarage6220]

✝️🇺🇸👍

[@majorlee76251]

It is said that the USS Massachusetts fired the 1st 16 inch salvos and the last ones for the us navy in the war. Pretty good for a Quincy built ship.

[@raphaelmendez8072]

I had just posted a comment reflecting that very same thing!

[@messmeister92]

I haven’t been on the ship itself in years, but I get chills every time I see the radar mast peaking above the Braga Bridge.

[@redram5150]

And had zero casualties it’s entire wartime career

[@majorlee76251]

My dad who is still around worked at Springfield armory home of the m1 Garand rifle.

[@chejlr]

Love the battleship Massachusetts, built a model of it as kid. I remember the awe i felt the first time i saw it.

[@infoscholar5221]

The South Pacific was My Father's War. It changed him forever, and changed his outlook on life. he had very strong ideas on just what he had fought for there, and he didn't go in for flag waving and fake patriotism. He had defended the right of people to be free. These videos mean a lot. Kudos to you for making them, and keeping this history alive.

[@lawrenceallen8096]

Fighting for the America Flag IS fighting to defend the right of people to be free. Same thing.

[@rvnmedic1968]

My father's destroyer, USS Selfridge DD357 fought in the Solomons after it escaped from Pearl Harbor. Sustained two torpedoes and had the bow and main gun ripped to shreds. He also was a quiet man and didn't have any fake patriotism. RIP all the American heroes.

[@ninotchka6200]

Thank you for sharing your dad's story with us. Such courage and valor.​@rvnmedic1968

[@richthewrench]

My Dad served on BB57 the South Dakota. He just turned 95 last month. 20mm AA gunners mate.

[@seanferguson5460]

I once asked a close Japanese friend why I didn't get a sense that Japanese were bitter about Hiroshima and Nagasaki. His reply surprised me. He said that the explosive end of the war saved Japanese lives, too, had the war dragged on.

[@chrismaverick9828]

We can look back on the bombings in hindsight as horrific and "wasn't there another way?", but in truth there wasn't any that would not have resulted in more casualties. Nagasaki, had it been delayed a few more days, may have been avoided by the Japanese officials getting solid info on Hiroshima's demise and an immediate surrender. There were still die hards left among the leaders and the emperor might not have felt the overwhelming tide against them as he had with the two bombings so close together. Regardless, it was the right call by Truman at the time given the information and situation, and one I hope no one ever has to make again.

[@denvan3143]

@@chrismaverick9828 One account was that the Japanese high command was stunned at the revelation of the second atomic bomb being dropped. In this era where there are literally thousands of nuclear devices it’s hard to recall that in 1945 an atomic bomb was only a remote scientific possibility to the Japanese. The US possessing and exploding one such device was hard to comprehend. The detonation of a second atomic bomb made it clear this was not a singular event. At that point the Japanese leaders knew the US might have many more. The question would be whether the US would run out of atomic bombs before Japan ran out of people.

[@PeteOtton]

@@chrismaverick9828 Even after the bombing of Nagasaki, the Supreme Command was still deadlocked about unconditional surrender or a brokered peace. Hirohito had to finally step in and accept unconditional surrender. Even then a coup attempt by hardliners nearly derailed peace.

[@jackb1803]

Indeed, a third bomb was on the way to Japan.

[@philgiglio7922]

The DOD is Still issuing Purple Hearts stockpiled for Peration Downfall

[@RonHuber]

My late wife was a child at the time of the raid on Muroran. Her family had moved recently to Noboribetsu, about 14 kilometers up the coast. Her sole experience of world war 2 was sitting on a hill above the resort town one day, 9 years old, when a single engined Allied aircraft - apparently a scoutplane - came past at eye level. The pilot waved to her! She waved back, astonished, and then the plane was gone . Thank you for your walk though history of WW2 1945.

[@lorimiller5348]

My grandfather worked in that steel mill as a POW and he told me what it was like to survive that bombardment.

[@hobbitreet]

Good Heavens!!! Please tell us what he said.

[@CFarnwide]

KZbin is an amazing place. There is another poster here who’s grandfather was on one of the destroyers doing the bombardment!

[@lorimiller5348]

As the bombs fell, the guards, mostly boys and old men, disappeared leaving the POWs free to escape but there would be nowhere to hide for a 6ft white man in Japan. He was billeted with a local family so he ran to the house and helped the Mamason escape with her 3 kids to take shelter in a nearby drainage canal where they were safe until one of the bombs destroyed the dam upstream and one of the children was washed away downstream in the resulting flash flood and was never seen again.

[@shawnr771]

@@lorimiller5348 Thank you for sharing.

[@lorimiller5348]

I'm sorry but I can't do the story justice, I have to leave out the goriest details...

[@macscotsman51]

I was born 5 years after this battle took place. In my 71 years (so far) I had never heard this story. Much more focus was always given to the battles in Europe. Never too old to learn something new. Thanks

[@3ducs]

As THG stated in an earlier video, all the Purple Heart Medals awarded to this day were struck in advance of the planned invasion of Japan, the A-bombs saved countless lives, Allied and Japanese. My father was a F6f Hellcat pilot steaming for Japan when word of the bombs and the end of the war reached his ship. Nobody in my family was sad about the use of the bombs.

[@lynnwood7205]

Neither were my uncles, one in Walla Walla training for combat in Japan after serving two years in combat in Europe, another in a fighter plane in the Pacific, the third looking at his orders in Austria for deployment to the Pacific after his discharge from hospital for wounds, when word of the drop of the Super Bomb came.

[@thomasmusso1147]

Those two bombs saved more lives than they took. Also .. it gave warning to the Russians .. in the Pacific and Western Europe.

[@Axgoodofdunemaul]

My dad too. He was an engineer officer and had the luck to spend the whole war in the USA building facilities, but he was scheduled to be in the invasion of Japan. Nobody in my family had any objection to A-bombing Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

[@3ducs]

@@Axgoodofdunemaul And today I drive a car made in Hiroshima and my Dad had a Toyota PU truck. Funny world.

[@blank557]

My father was a 19 year old Marine on Okinawa, preparing with his division to invade Japan. He joined the Marines when he was 17 in 1943, and had served at Peleliu and Okinawa campaigns. I try to image what it was like for a 19 year-old aged by war and horror to be given a new lease on life with the surrender of Japan, thanks to those bombs.

[@briangarrow448]

Between your daily snippets of history, and the deeper dives I get listening to podcasters like Dan Carlin and Mike Duncan, I am thoroughly enjoying my free time while retired. Thanks for being part of MY personal history buffet!

[@samstevens7172]

Dan Carlin’s stuff is excellent, some of the best. Not familiar with Mike Duncan, but I’ll look into him.

[@briangarrow448]

@@samstevens7172 Mike does deep dives into revolutions, from all over the world. His Roaman, English and American series are incredible. Give yourself plenty of time for his series of podcasts, he’s done hundreds of hours of work in this field.

[@samstevens7172]

@@briangarrow448 and the name of his podcast? I could also recommend History on Fire, although I’m not sure what’s left after he went to a pay platform. And English is his second language, but his stuff is excellent IMO. And Thanks!

[@briangarrow448]

@@samstevens7172 I have listened to History on Fire, and yes, it is good. I think Mike’s podcast is just called “Revolutions” and I believe some of it is on KZbin.

[@jtgd]

@@samstevens7172 Mike Duncan has a podcast where he touches the “History of Rome” from the beginning to end of the western empire. He also has a podcast about various revolutions in world history

[@deanstuart8012]

The carrier borne air attacks during these operations resulted in the last Victoria Cross of WWII (and the last VC awarded to a Canadian). Robert Hampton Gray sank a Japanese destroyer on 9th August 1945 while flying a RN Fleet Air Arm F4U Corsair. Sadly his VC was posthumous. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Hampton_Gray

[@kellybreen5526]

Gray also attacked Tirpitz and had a self depreciating sense of humour. From what I have read he pressed hard all the time and getting hit by flak was just routine for him. Canadian Warplane Heritage had a Corsair painted in his markings, but had to sell it to finance the museum. A very tough and divisive call for them to make.

[@captainjoshuagleiberman2778]

While it was the last VC earned in WWII, the last awarded was another Canadian. CSM Osborne, for his actions at Hong Kong in 1941. Also posthumous

[@chuckhainsworth4801]

@@captainjoshuagleiberman2778 There the short version of 'he was a POW awhile, and had somewhat of a hard time to boot' that is there when the subject of HK vets comes up.

[@hughledger7835]

@@chuckhainsworth4801 no he was killed at Hong Kong jumping on a grenade

[@chuckhainsworth4801]

@@hughledger7835 The other sad reality of dealing HK vets.

[@blackhawkinternationalsecu6962]

My Dad was on the USS Franklin. They were 50 miles from the Japanese shore launching aircraft for an attack when his ship got bombed. Over 800 men died in that attack. It was the closest any US war had gotten to Japan at that time. It was 19 March 1945.

[@jimzivny1554]

I've seen two documentaries on the Franklin, the captain at the time of attack should have been jailed for his actions and lack of during and after the attack. The men on board are who saved the ship because of their training and leadership of junior officers.

[@blackhawkinternationalsecu6962]

@@jimzivny1554 Agreed. Dad told me the 1st Captain was a good leader and very well respected. But the last one was a real piece of work. Even the Marine air group didn't like him.

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4WTdKKgiLebj8k

[@cernowaingreenman]

Japan likely would have been invaded by Russia would had just started aggression toward the Japanese. Some historians point out that may have been more of an incentive for Japan to surrender than the two atomic bombings did.

[@blackhawkinternationalsecu6962]

@@cernowaingreenman Actually Russia did invade the Kuril Islands which was Japanese territory before the war. Russia being Russia didn't surrender it at the end and I think it is still in dispute today. I'm sure that had some influence to their decision to surrender. But I think there were many, many issues that lead to their decision. Still, we were the first to invading military to set foot Japanese territory in over 2,000 years.

[@michaelhowell2326]

I absolutely love the whole "The US could have never know what military pressure was needed to make the Japanese surrender." part. It couldn't be said better.

[@LupercusArchanus]

Aye, given how the military and civilians on Iwo Jima acted in fanatical fights to the death and performing mass suicides rather than surrender, all bets were off.

[@BobSmith-dk8nw]

@@LupercusArchanus That would be Saipan - there were not many civilians on Iwo Jima. .

[@Connor-vj7vf]

@@BobSmith-dk8nw or Okinawa

[@dariusgreysun]

@@BobSmith-dk8nw There were 100k civilian deaths on Okinawa alone...

[@BobSmith-dk8nw]

@@Connor-vj7vf Yes en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Okinawa#Civilian_losses,_suicides,_and_atrocities .

[@TacitusR]

My grandfather was a 20 years old marine and veteran of the island campaigns who was a member of the invasion force making it's way to the home islands. The briefings they received bore grim estimates of what they could expect in resistance and casualties. He and his fellow marines were overjoyed to later learn that they would be an occupation force instead of an invasion force. The atomic bombs saved many lives on both sides.

[@ricksunderland1421]

This is what PBS once was. Well done, sir.

[@jdspicoli]

True

[@BrianRosborough]

History Guy WW2 is my favorite kind of History Guy video

[@hobbitreet]

Agreed,

[@shawnr771]

Check out Time Ghost Army with Indy Neidell. They are doing WW2 week by week plus special features.

[@xiaoka]

Mark Felton!!!

[@davidgarrison5270]

As a kid, I lived in Wilmington NC, home of the USS North Carolina BB-55, and visited it often. In 4th Grade, my father was transferred to Japan. One weekend while he was working in the town of Hitachi, my mother and I traveled up to see him. There was no hotel there back then (Around 1980) so we stayed in the Hitachi Guest House. A wonderful elderly couple ran the House for the Company. On my first visit there, three very large photos caught my attention. All three were of US Warships, firing their guns. I quickly saw the USS NC was one of the ships, and asked where this photo was taken. In my little Japanese and his lesser English, I learned that the photos were taken on the beach in front of the Guest House, and that he had taken them, along with many others. He said all the people that worked in the factories and the town people came to the beach as they would be safe there from the shells. On another day, only a few days before the war was over, he said the ships returned, and everyone again ran to the beach, but this time they did not shoot, and were less than 100 meters off the beach. This day, a plane flew over the people on the beach and dropped candy bar to the people who were seeking the safety of the Beach. I retuned to Hitachi when I was in Japan after the 2011 Tsunami, and the Guest House is no longer there and no one knew where the photos were located.

[@davidb6576]

David, thanks for this comment - it's both enlightening and moving...

[@haeuptlingaberja4927]

Holy smokes, a major WWII operation I didn't know about! Thanks, History Guy. This is why we watch your channel: substantive information and the all-important context for that information.

[@Sakai070]

DD-652 was one of the 9 destroyers that hit the iron works. My grandfather was aboard that ship.

[@MrScott1171]

Your Grandfather was on the USS Ingersoll (DD-652)

[@CFarnwide]

KZbin is an amazing place. There is another poster here who’s grandfather was working as a POW in the plant during the bombardment!

[@Sakai070]

Yes the ingersoll. He and i are from bath, maine where the ship was built ironically. That is crazy, the interwebs make an already small world much smaller.

[@CFarnwide]

@@Sakai070 That’s an incredible set of coincidences! 😎

[@artmontesa1]

God bless your grandfather. Thank you for his service.

[@fatboyrowing]

THG, I just learned something! Thank you so much. My father was on the USS Olmsted (APA 188) on her way to the Philippines when the atomic bombs were dropped. He would have been part of the amphibious assault on Japan. Thankfully for both sides, the assault wasn’t necessary.

[@Oldschooldan1]

My Grandfather served on the South Dakota. My father was instrumental in salvaging artifacts for the South Dakota memorial. He, along with my Grandfather were allowed to board the ship before she was scrapped, while it was mothballed in NY. They were able arrange to have several of the 16" guns, the propellers and much of the teak deck to be saved and sent to South Dakota. I am blessed to have hundreds of photos from the one of the ships photographers showing many of the battles and as well as the bombardment of Kamaishi. I have a copy of the surrender documents that hang on my wall along with a card given to my Grandfather that shows he was there, in Tokyo bay, when the Japanese surrendered. God bless those men of the Greatest generation may their sacrifices never be forgotten...

[@robertmccollough1104]

My father served on the South Dakota. Most of the war he manned anti-aircraft guns and was a lookout. We were at the memorial when they were mounting the ship’s propeller. If you are able to scan some of the photos and post them, that would be awesome.

[@Oldschooldan1]

@@robertmccollough1104 I have them all in digital format and could email you some if you'd like. I sent the entire collection off to the Captain of the new South Dakota submarine. I believe she had them on display for the christening of the ship.

[@seachers6124]

I'm serious . And I think you can do it tastefully . Love your work !!! You're the best story teller of this age !!! Something I sorely miss from my childhood days at school . Back when teachers were teachers .

[@robertnorton6787]

Excellent channel!

[@ramal5708]

Some said that Japenese civilian hated the naval bombardment more than the conventional B-29 raids, since naval bombardment usually takes about half or even an hour to finish compared to 5-10 minutes during a B-29 raid, plus the civilians required to hunker down much longer in their shelter during the naval bombardment

[@glasair38sr]

Don’t start nuthin’, won’t be nuthin’! - Unknown Wise Man

[@stevenrmclaren]

Resistance is Futile...

[@cheif10thumbs]

Will Smith as Agent J in Men In Black

[@glasair38sr]

@@cheif10thumbs DING DING DING!!! You are CO-RRRRRRECT, Suh! $69 for YOU! (Was 99.9999% sure but required some backup. Thank you, suhh!

[@samsum3738]

Very true , generally speaking .

[@Mr.CliffysWorld]

Agent J MIB

[@david9783]

For all that you have done to perpetuate all of these memorable events, YOU, sir, deserve to be remembered!

[@chrissutnavage9601]

I toured the U.S.S. New Jersey battleship in Camden. It was amazing. I think you should do a video on the most decorated ship in American naval history, because, as you say, it's history that deserves to be remembered. As is all history. Love your channel, keep it up.

[@pegtooth2006]

Your presentations are always carefully researched and expertly voiced. Can you indulge us with the little blooper reel?

[@kevinhorne7881]

A reminder that even the most worthy, necessary, "just" war is still a bad thing. I almost always watch THG on TV, where one can't comment. So today I'm making the rounds to like everything I've seen. I love everything about The History Guy. The episodes are accurate, thorough, educational, and entertaining.

[@AndyCutright]

Supply chain management and logistics are crazy critical to war efforts. I can't imagine the amount of planning that went into this bombardment, let alone the war overall.

[@dennisjohnson8932]

A Men

[@andyharman3022]

Amateur warriors talk tactics. Professionals talk logistics.

[@mrmiscast]

I love this channel. So much to enjoy, not just war but subjects of all types. As always, it proves the old saying, "hindsight is always 20/20".

[@magellan6108]

My father, a CWO in the Marine Corps, had orders to land on the beaches of Honshu D+5. As he and others were beginning the process of prep'ing for the landing, the odd rumors that were floating around proved to be true - the war would be over soon.

[@Phat737]

One of your best yet. The content was incredible. I never knew about this last Naval bombardment of the war.

[@kenp7814]

This movie quote fits ..... "Make no mistake, it's not revenge he's after. It's a reckonin'...."

[@bcask61]

Tombstone!

[@thomasschwartz555]

hear hear! Well said

[@wisconsinfarmer4742]

William Tecumseh Sherman would be proud.

[@georgewilliams8448]

Thank you for covering this very little covered action against the Japanese Home Islands. I had never heard of this action before as it is not really covered in the history that is usually taught. The air war against Japan is always stressed but it is good to find out about the naval activities too!

[@concerned1313]

I am glad the bomb was dropped or I might not be alive today. Many of our fathers and grandfathers would of died with the invasion of Japan via Operation Downfall. Thank you History Guy for detailing this part of the preparatory work before the invasion. In my opinion, it had to be done due to not knowing if the bomb would work or even if Japan would ever surrender. Wonderful dialog, film and photos!

[@glenschumannGlensWorkshop]

Thanks. Did not know these details before.

[@kurtstolpa616]

After fighting on Iwo Jima starting on the first day, in the 5th Marines, my Dad was training for the invasion of Japan during this time. He was part of the occupation forces near Kageshima(?) until the fall of 1946.

[@greenbeen_079]

My uncles were both Marines and was at Pearl during the bombing. I met one of the I was like 5 years old. My father and mother said they never talked about the war.

[@kurtstolpa616]

@@greenbeen_079 Dad never talked about the fighting. Talked about the occupation and training at Camp Tarawa for the invasion. He came home and finished high school. Joined the OANG in time for The Korean war.

[@jeremyperala839]

I believe your father was in the 5th Marine Division. 'The 5th Marines" is a Regiment in the 1 st Marine Division. The regiments of the 5th Marine Division were the 26th-29th Marines. Your father was part of a great outfit, Semper Fidelis.

[@kurtstolpa616]

@@jeremyperala839 He was one of those Leathernecks.

[@kennethcaine3402]

My Father was with the 1st Marine Division in the Pacific and was on Okinawa when the Japanese surrendered. After 3 invasions, Cape Goulester, Pelielu and Okinawa he thought he would be going home but the 1st Marine Division was sent to China to guard trains from the communist. There were some Marines that did get to go home under a point system, after 3 invasions he should have had enough but that wasn't the case. This is A GREAT VIDEO and I hadn't heard of it before thanks for the education History Guy.

[@damarisvazquez6253]

I'll be honest. Never heard this story. Love this channel! And I consider myself a rookie WWII historian. Y'up, still a rookie. Taking my ball and going home.

[@EdCali1]

Same with me. I supposed too many of us focus on air battles of WWII. Then again, my dad flew P-51 Mustang missions off of IWO, so hence the reason for my leanings.

[@spikespa5208]

Learning about WWII is a never-ending process. So many stories of personalities, battles, technologies, tactics and strategies . So many weird, sad, horrific, terrifying, humorous, and ridiculous incidents that if they were written into a fiction novel, the author would be laughed out of a publishers office for it being just too fantastic to believe.

[@johnathandavis3693]

I love the color clip at 8:42...the brown smoke...

[@reggierico]

Dear THG, Thanks for the outstanding post. A period where we still had to flex and give no quarter to the enemy that started this mighty war in Pearl Harbor. As we must never forget those that made the ultimate sacrifice that day, please remember all the WW2 veterans for the incredible courage and sacrifice they made during this war. Never forget.

[@wrayjordan7188]

Another great view back in time. Thank you sir.

[@tyronemarcucci8395]

Having served for 20 years in the US Navy, I love the accuracy of this history professor and his presentations... Keep'm coming. SMC, USN, Ret.

[@larrybomber83]

Great stuff. I think I have only heard of this twice since I have been reading about WWII. That is over 50 years. Thank You for the great History lesson.

[@cornhusker2006]

Fantastic video about unknown naval assaults.

[@Guitfiddlejase]

Knocked it out of the park again with this great episode

[@KorbinX]

This is why I love your channel. Absolutely fantastically well done. I can't thank you enough for keeping history alive and well. I appreciate your videos more than you know sir! Thank you

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

Thank you very much!

[@OrdinaryDude]

"The aircraft defending the battleships could do more damage than the battleships themselves." Thus the Era of the Battleships comes to an end.

[@thomasmusso1147]

Aircraft became guidance and carrying platforms for very long range shells.

[@zbrown72]

Untrue “Wisconsin” participated in desert storm

[@chiefslinginbeef3641]

@@zbrown72 yep been on that ship a few times.

[@BobSmith-dk8nw]

The "Era of the Battleships" had already been long over - they just didn't know it until the war actually started. Even then though - aircraft only ruled the day - while surface naval forces ruled the night. Thus the waters off Guadalcanal became Iron Bottom Sound largely through Night Time Naval Combat. So - the only aspect of things that had ended - was the era when the Battleship had been the - _dominant_ - role in Naval Warfare. Aircraft had replaced it as the _dominant_ factor but that did NOT mean it didn't have a role to play. Here - the role shifted to one of escorting the aircraft carriers as unescorted aircraft carriers were very easy pickings for surface combatants - as was found out by HMS Glorious en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Glorious#Sinking That and Battleships carried a vast number of AA weapons to help protect Carriers from air attacks. So - saying the era of the Battleship was over - is simplistic. .

[@OrdinaryDude]

@@zbrown72 Sure, they were still around. But they ceased being the Navy's primary weapon or "Capitol Ship" after WWII.

[@Jalu3]

A collaboration between The History Guy and Drachinifel would make for a great video.

[@shenmisheshou7002]

This was an interesting video. I don't know how this piece of history got by me. Most of the time it seems history just skips from the Capture of Okinawa to the A bomb. Thank you for bringing this story to us.

[@stevehaug3603]

As a 70 yr old WWII history buff this was the first time I ever heard about these naval actions.

[@landsea7332]

The end of the Asian - Pacific war is so complex . Two events nearly all historians miss are 1 ) July 26th , 1945 Potsdam Declaration , where sections 6 ) , 10 ) and 12 ) make it clear Truman and his advisors wanted to change Japan into a democracy with human rights . Under US occupation , Japan's Constitution was changed in 1947 . Also , suggest reading the declassified document written by Henry Simpson , dated July 2nd , 1945 - which gives good incite into US intentions . 2 ) The Stalin's Declaration of war on Japan on August 9th , 1945 - and the Soviet Army's attack on Japanese Army in Manchuria .

[@markpaul8178]

Thanks HISTORY GUY for this superb video of things that happened in the last days of WW2 that I had never heard before.

[@ALTruckerDad]

When you mentioned the BB60, aka, the USS Alabama, I reflexively clenched my fist in victory. I've spent days and even some nights on her. She's a floating museum in Mobile, AL.

[@garywiseman5080]

My grandfather sailed home on her after the war.

[@JBSwanstrom]

I've walked her decks many times, a great museum. My father served aboard the USS Tennessee BB43.

[@artmontesa1]

Thank you for your service. And God bless.

[@sirbader1]

My grandfather served aboard fleet oiler USS Tomahawk (AO-88). You can see her sister ship USS Sebec (AO-87) at +10:50.

[@havenhemmings3574]

The Japanese had a "target rich environment". Not really the way they wanted it.

[@jacquesblaque7728]

Actually for some months before Nagasaki, Japan was a target-depleted environment, with a paucity of targets for bombers and submarines, except on northern islands.

[@havenhemmings3574]

@@jacquesblaque7728 What I meant was that the Japanese military had a lot of Allied ships and planes moving toward them. "A target rich environment". But not in a good way because they were massively outnumbered.

[@jacquesblaque7728]

@@havenhemmings3574 I mistakenly thought you meant that we, the allies, were "target rich". Just glad it all worked out as well as it did.

[@soldieramerican5964]

I love this YT Channel, thanks History Guy!

[@rodgerrodger1839]

I really missed you and all your wonderful subscribers. I was forced to take a " time out" from YT. I guess I was a little to harsh on various individuals on a certain " fake" news channel and I got in trouble. Once again you've taken us all on another fabulous journey down the often distorted path of history. You always seem to "straighten" things out for everyone who actually wants to know the truth....

[@ronmueller3074]

Thank You. I did not know any of this, live & learn.

[@terrystewart2070]

My uncle served in the Merchant Marine throughout the entire Pacific war theatre. After Japan surrendered, he and his mates were tasked with loading and shipping back home all the machine tools that the country had left. He told me the factories had all been moved into large caves, sorry I cannot remember which area of Japan. The MM were unsung heroes of the conflict. If THG hasn't already featured that service it would be a story worth remembering.

[@stevedittrich4411]

It is often forgotten that the Merchant Mariners had a HIGHER casualty rate than the U.S.Marines. And they weren't even considered veterans until the 1980s.

[@PeteOtton]

It is a shame that they were not given the same GI benefits that those in the official military were given. If they were lucky they had a couple of open guns on the deck and often carried fuel or explosives. Many of them were under age or too old for military service, yet without those supplies the army, navy, marines, and army air force would have been impotent.

[@matthewpoplawski8740]

AS ALWAYS THE HISTORY GUY,AN EXCELLENT VIDEO!! This , I know ,is an odd thing to remember ,but I do. In reading about the potential invasion of Japan, I saw that the beaches were to codenamed after American cars(Ford, Buick, Chevrolet, Packard,and ,maybe Pontiac).🤔🤔🤔✌✌✌✌

[@cornbreadfedkirkpatrick9647]

I didn't know that the USS Alabama got a piece of the action sweet

[@MrSGL21]

just toured her for the 3rd time back in march

[@georgemacgregor5437]

You need your own TV show. Your story telling is really great. I would put you up there With the one and only Mike Rowe as a story teller. I hope someone developes a history TV show that you can do. Great job as usual.

[@ssaraccoii]

Thank you for these. It is history which does deserve to be remembered. By the way, the bow ties are awesome!

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

Glad you like them!

[@michaelmoore9176]

Very good dissertation

[@-.Steven]

June 1985, our group was finishing training in San Diego, and everyone was opening up their orders, finding out where their new Duty station would be. And I remember a guy named Scott Christensen from Salt Lake City opening up his orders and being assigned to the USS Missouri. I remember thinking that was really cool. I've always had a sense of History, and even as a young 21 year old at the time I knew that the Japanese signed the unconditional surrender aboard the Missouri bringing an official end to WWII.

[@kenfrievalt7826]

June 1985 i was finishing up mu army training in Missouri

[@dbadaddy7386]

Not quite - the war didn't officially end until the reunification of Germany in 1989. Technically it was an armistice until then. My brother was stationed in Berlin in '84-'85 and got a WW2 Occupation Medal from the US Army. He came home with pieces of the Wall he had to brave mines to take, and a few years later chunks were available at Wal-Mart. I met Paul Tibbets at a book signing, and he made it clear he slept well at night knowing he saved far more lives than he took. And I loved seeing the large number of Japanese tourists taking his picture, just like the stereotype.

[@michaelnovak260]

Very interesting. I was unaware if this Naval action until now...thanks History Guy!

[@davidncw4613]

Fascinating, as always TY!

[@stargazer7184]

My grandfather was a PO1 manning an anti aircraft position aboard the light destroyer USS Wilkes Barre (CL 103), which was a part of TF 38 and was present for their entire deployment, from the Philippines and the battle of Luzon, to the Japanese mainland. During the bombardment of Okinawa, the carrier USS Bunker Hill was hit by two kamikaze pilots and began to list. The Wilkes Barre pulled alongside the crippled carrier and wedged her hull underneath the carrier's listing flight deck, holding the ship above until the crew could be evacuated, the fires extinguished, and the water pumped out. That's just one of the incredible stories I remember him telling me before he passed away. Thank you for this video. USS Wilkes Barrre (CL 103) - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Wilkes-Barre_(CL-103)#Wreck Photo history of Wilkes Barre - (www.navsource.org/archives/04/103/04103.htm)

[@jetsons101]

People argue over the use of the A-bomb on Japan, but many others feel this saved many lives on both sides as a invasion of the Japanese homeland would have been a brutal bloody mess that would have made the war last a few years longer. Just thinking...... Thanks HG for your time, work in posting your work.

[@randomlyentertaining8287]

Judging from their defense of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, relatively minor parts of Japanese soil, I'd say at the very least a couple million of the 29 million men Japan had to defend the Home Islands (2 million IJA and 27 million militia) would've been killed in the invasion along with hundreds of thousands, if not, millions, of Allied soldiers. The roughly quarter million killed by the atomic bombings and the Soviet offense in Manchuria ended up saving millions of lives.

[@denvan3143]

@@randomlyentertaining8287 The Japanese military killed 13 million innocent civilians. More than 300,000 POWs died in Japanese captivity. Thousands died in slave labor. The Japanese military kidnapped 200,000 Asian women and forced them into prostitution for their soldiers. All that stopped when the bombs dropped.

[@denvan3143]

@John Cliff The Japanese military were convinced your opinion was wrong, that US citizens would get sick of seeing their sons slaughtered in battle, whereas Japanese soldiers would gladly die gloriously for their emperor. The Japanese military thought time was on their side, despite privation of food and material because of the allied blockade of Japan. The atomic bomb proved a single detonation could cause Instant, widespread destruction and kill tens of thousands. That, and the encroachment of the Russian army told Emperor Hirohito time was not on his side. Many in the Japanese military were willing to fight to the last man woman and child. Of course, not a few of Japanese military leaders committed suicide rather than face their enemy, so there’s that.

[@dariusjackelson9915]

The A-bomb attacks were a little message to Russia.

[@jetsons101]

@@dariusjackelson9915 Now with china biden it won't make any difference.

[@ramal5708]

Some Japanese civilians said that they hated the Naval bombardment more than from the conventional B-29 raid, since naval bombardment literally took more than half or perhaps an hour until the ships retire and the civvies could get out of their bunkers and air raid shelters, while B-29 raids only take about 5-10 minutes and then they could get out of the air raid shelter after the planes went away.

[@kevinbarry71]

If there was a typhoon; I'm sure Halsey would've sailed straight into it

[@rodgerrodger1839]

Ha! I was thinking the same thing. He hated to miss a good typhoon you know.

[@josephboen178]

Just realized there's Halsey in UNSC halo as well

[@untruelie2640]

Imagine Admiral King's reaction if Halsey had steered the fleet into yet another typhoon. :D

[@jimdandy8119]

"Yeet fleet" Halsey.

[@secretagent86]

hahaha... bad weather forecasting back then

[@IvorMektin1701]

USS New Jersey has a great KZbin channel.

[@__hjg__2123]

no one beats Ryan! USS North Carolina ain't bad either....

[@garbo8962]

@@__hjg__2123 Ryan is so well versed. Sent him a question about the US New Jersey. He got back with very intetesting facts. He should have his own history show on naval ships.

[@neilwilson5785]

It is really excellent.

[@Thebonesoftrees]

Your efforts and content are fantastic. Thank you so much.

[@DoyleHargraves]

2,700# shells are much cheaper than missles. And the shock & awe factor is nice, too.

[@dmfraser1444]

I had not realized before the scope of action that was occurring in the dying days of the war. Still, they had to work on the assumption that the landing on the Japanese home islands was going to happen.

[@662wc5]

The vast majority of the US military including most high level commanders were not aware of the existence of the Manhattan Project until they heard about the results of it August 6th just like everyone else. Even those few who were involved or at least aware of the project understood it could fail, so the process of laying the groundwork for the eventual invasion of the home islands had to continue. My father in law was a young (early 20s) B-24 pilot whose wing was in the process of redeploying from the ETO to the Pacific when the bomb dropped. They were in San Francisco on August 6th, ready to ship out, when they got the word to stand fast. Then, after several days of uncertainty, their redeployment was cancelled. I asked him if they were disappointed. He laughed and said no, not in the least. It was like a reprieve from a death sentence. Until that point the assumption was that the war was certain to continue at least into 1946, if not longer. There were some timelines and scenarios being talked about that had it going on through at least 1950. Until suddenly on August 6th, their survival prospects did not seem promising.

[@garycollins7750]

I was a lot more complex than what the history books show. There were two options for the final push toward Japan, invade which was thought to take the war into 1947/1948 or a naval blockade some thought would prolong indefinitely. The other problem was the mass demobilization in Europe while the pacific war was still going. Some combat veterans would discharged while others sent to the pacific. Then combat veterans from the pacific some who also expected to be discharged but were most valuable before the attack in Japan.

[@dmfraser1444]

@@garycollins7750 After VE My father and mother’s brother were scheduled to return to Canada to train for Japan. Instead my father, an armor driving instructor, drove cat for a year cleaning up Normandy. My one uncle was demobilized immediately when Japan surrendered. Another uncle was invalided out after being machine gunned in Sicily. But until the surrender it was still total mobilization as everyone was in for the duration and that would not be until Japan was out of the war. As for the idea of a blockade, the military faction appeared to be willing to take the entire country with them through starvation. The emperor took what he was handed and ran with it while the military faction was off balance. But only if we did not prosecute him for the war criminal he was. How does this fit with your feeling about the end of the conflict. It is my understanding that the atomic bombs were the way out for the emperor with honor as they saw it. That the USSR declared war and started an invasion of one of the Japanese territories was their big fear. The example set by the division of Germany was what prompted the emperor to prefer a surrender to the USA and not to lose a third of the country to the communists. Like what happened in Germany.

[@dmfraser1444]

@@662wc5 Indeed. I fully realize it was as secret as anything in the world ever was. No one without a need to know knew a thing. My point it that even the top leaders had to keep things going full throttle even if they knew the atomic bomb was coming as no one knew if would work. Or that Japan would surrender shortly thereafter. Therefore, these bombardments had to go ahead just in case. Just like when a plane lands on a carrier it has to have full power in case the hook misses all the wires. It does not kill power until confirmation of snagging a wire occurs. I will not get into the argument whether it triggered the quick surrender of Japan or whether it was merely the excuse used by the emperor while the real fear was that the USSR had already started to invade the northernmost islands of Japan.

[@mollybell5779]

I am grateful to have learned SO much from the History Guy. Interesting, focused topics presented in detail with such passion and enthusiasm. Mr. Geiger, thank you so very much for sharing your work, and for the education. ❤️

[@Hartcore11]

I never knew of this bombardment.

[@thomaswest5931]

Absolutely a favorite history source. Thanks!

[@chrislondo2683]

THG could you do the story of the 147th Infantry Regiment on Iwo Jima just after the battle had ended?

[@sullivanspapa1505]

147 is an Army regiment, what is the connection?

[@patmancrowley8509]

T.H.G., this is the very FIRST time that I've heard ANY account of the bombardment of Japan's main island. Thank you so very much! Pops was the 8th marine to set foot on the main island (Corpsman 1st Class attached to the 4th Raider Battalion of the 6th Marines) before the surrender actually took place. If it hadn't been for Colonel Paul Tibbets dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki I, and my brothers and sisters, probably wouldn't be here. As a side note: I still have dad's "Corpsman's Knife." I doubt if I'll ever see something like this ever made again. It's quite a "knife."

[@standoughope]

I'm getting obsessed with WW2. The story includes everything interesting about the human condition aside from maybe romance. There's horror, humor (inflatable tanks & wooden bomb dropped on wooden airfield etc), desperation, honor, puzzle solving, risk-taking, depletion, enrichment, loyalty, sadness, rage, empathy, apathy, evil etc. To study it is a sick form of "choose your own adventure" because there are roads ahead no matter which path you choose.

[@sandybarnes887]

You might like Indy Neidel on the World War Two channel

[@standoughope]

@@sandybarnes887 Thanks, I just subscribed! =)

[@sandybarnes887]

@@standoughope cool 😎 I hope you enjoy.

[@standoughope]

@@sandybarnes887 Thanks again, that channel is fantastic! 😁

[@Brommear]

Very interesting video. I have heard that naval bombardments with these huge caliber guns were far more demolishing than aircraft attacks as the shell travelled sub-sonic and you could hear the approach for a long time.

[@hoosierplowboy5299]

Well done, sir. They started it, we finished it...

[@wrslss]

Very interesting, thanks for making this snippet of history.

[@Jasonwolf1495]

I'd think the last shots fired would be that one guy who didn't know about the surrender until like 70 years later. Then again he might have run out of ammo

[@glasair38sr]

Lol right….that is crazy. Almost seems unbelievable.

[@The105ODST]

@@TheGpono Your comment was so all over the place it made no sense at all

[@sammolloy1]

Leading to the famous cartoon caption “Excuse please. WHAT war over?”

[@nickh5081]

Is that the same guy that landed on Gilligan's Island?

[@BobSmith-dk8nw]

@@TheGpono Eh ... there's a lot of truth to what you're saying but ... if the engineering on the Three Gorges Damn is an example ... there's some problems there ... www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.dailymail.co.uk%2F1s%2F2019%2F07%2F09%2F16%2F15828948-0-image-a-4_1562687473377.jpg&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailymail.co.uk%2Fnews%2Farticle-7227511%2FThree-Gorges-Dam-safe-say-China-officials-dismissing-online-rumors.html&tbnid=-6FpJffFZgwCTM&vet=10CIoBEDMopgFqFwoTCMi__qGi8fECFQAAAAAdAAAAABAC..i&docid=0mbNkQl9_tDpWM&w=1908&h=1146&itg=1&q=Three%20Gorges%20Dam&client=firefox-b-1-d&ved=0CIoBEDMopgFqFwoTCMi__qGi8fECFQAAAAAdAAAAABAC If they can get rid of the Communists - then - yes - China's probably going to be the worlds dominant power within 50 years. We'll see how all the people that hate the US like that .... .

[@mbc6008]

Another amazing story! Thanks!!!

[@peteengard9966]

Thank you THG. What is rarely discussed is Russia's involvement in fighting the Japanese. How about a video on that?

[@Keifsanderson]

@Richard Blake Absolutely true.

[@littlefluffybushbaby7256]

There is a "Battlefields" episode about it. It was one of the biggest invasions of the war and is hardly ever mentioned. Mainly because of the Cold War I think. Stalin agreed to come into the war against Japan a couple of months after Germany surrendered and actually fulfilled his promise. Just as D-Day gets all the attention and Bagration is almost ignored so Iwo Jima and Okinawa leave the USSR's invasion of Manchuria in the shade. It's worth noting that the USSR withdrew from Manchuria in may 1946. Many years before US forces withdrew from Japan. I'd not defending Stalin. He was a sociopath. Just saying, there is more than one perspective.

[@roycsinclair]

My father was on the USS Pasadena (Light Cruiser) during that bombardment. The Pasadena was moored next to the Missouri during the surrender ceremonies, dad mentioned that they actually had separate surrender ceremonies on the decks of every Allied ship in the harbor though only the Missouri's ceremony was official.

[@Cha-y412]

My Uncle Jim was a 18 year old sailor on the USS Astoria CL 90. Check out on youtube the great color footage of the USS Pasadena CL65 under attack by Kamikazis taken from the deck of the Astoria CL90. Do a search of USS Astoria cl90. The Pasadena. Astoria, and Wilkes Barre all Sister Cleveland Class Light Cruisers worked feverishly protecting the big carriers. The Astoria was next to the Pasadena in Tokyo Bay for the surrender. Also the Pasadena and Astoria put so much fire into the sky during those Kamikazi attacks that they were known to pepper each others masts. The Navy Chaplin of the USS Astoria CL90 was badly wounded when he climbed the Mast to get photographs of a Kamikazi attack and hit by flak fired from the Pasadena. The Chaplin was removed to a hospital ship and never seen again by Astorias crew. My Uncle told that story and it is also documented in the book Days of Steel Rain.

[@raphaelmendez8072]

Awesome content by the history guy as always. That being said may I offer a suggestion which happens to tie in with not only this video but also a previous one regarding the landings of Operation Torch and that is the wartime history of the USS Massachusetts, BB59, South Dakota class battleship which holds the distinction of firing the first 16 in. Shell in combat against the incomplete French battleship Jean Bart during Operation Torch and would later fire the last 16 in Shell against the Kamaishi ironworks in Japan. In between those two events, she would earned 9 Battle Stars, steamed over 225.000 nautical miles, shoot down 6 enemy planes... And all without the single loss of a member of the ship's company to enemy action. Given your previous videos regarding older battleships Pennsylvania, Texas and Nevada as well as the Iowa class I am hoping that you will give this member of the surviving South Dakota class its due.

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

I talk about USS Massachusetts, Jean Bart and the Battle of Casablanca here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/imHSYp2EjJ6qh9U

[@timnor4803]

A few pieces remain in a park in Sioux Falls... turns out it's hard to bring home a ship that size in a state over 1000 miles from the nearest ocean.

[@tigerkill420]

I camped on the Massachusetts when I was in boy scouts in 1999.

[@d.e.b.b5788]

Another terrific episode.Thank you again.

[@yellowbusguy]

My father who was in the Army Corps of Engineers was on a westbound train after coming home from France to begin preparations for the Japanese invasion when the word came that they had surrendered. The trip turned into a massive party where he got stupid drunk for the only time in his life. RIP Dad.

[@chasehicks7465]

Great video as usual, love the channel sir 👍

[@oat138]

Thank you. I have wished that they had used some of the battleships from Pearl Harbor in those attacks.

[@thomasmusso1147]

Not fast enough.

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

@@thomasmusso1147 actually the standard battleships quite a bit of action in shore bombardment.

[@ypaulbrown]

Have a wonderful day...wishing you all the best....your videos are the greatest.....

[@cfsVchris]

Bravo Zulu! Another morsel of genuine history, a thing so rare as to be always valuable 🗽

[@andersfrihagen3656]

Very high quality documentary. Thank you!

[@Danogil]

My Dad was a 15 year old member of the 11th AB Div in the summer of 1945. As he always said he was Not expected to live to see the Summer of 1946., but the bombs dropped in Aug 1945 saved his and up to a million American Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors and Marines along with untold number of Allied service members.

[@Weshopwizard]

Another excellent segment! Total war is a real bummer.

[@billpostscratcher2025]

Love General Catuzov on the wall!

[@sulfacrat]

C. Brower I worked with a guy that was involved in the attack on the home islands. He was on the carrier Cowpens, which was the first carrier to enter Tokyo bay. The Cowpens was anchored next the battleship Missouri, during the surrender signings. A reward for a doing a good job during the war in the Pacific.