Third Atomic Bomb Attack - Japan 1945

If Japan did not surrender on 15 August 1945, a third atomic bombing was planned. In this programme we examine how Japan's surrender was a complicated and difficult process involving a military coup and how America was reluctantly faced with potentially using the third bomb - but which city was to be targeted? And would it have ended the war?
Dr. Mark Felton is a well-known British historian, the author of 22 non-fiction books, including bestsellers 'Zero Night' and 'Castle of the Eagles', both currently being developed into movies in Hollywood. In addition to writing, Mark also appears regularly in television documentaries around the world, including on The History Channel, Netflix, National Geographic, Quest, American Heroes Channel and RMC Decouverte. His books have formed the background to several TV and radio documentaries. More information about Mark can be found at: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Fe...
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Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Mark Felton Productions. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Mark Felton Productions does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.

[@evand6817]

My grandmother, who was Japanese, was 13 when the war ended. She told me how when it was announced the Emperor was going to speak on the radio everyone was both excited and stunned. So much so that when it came time for the broadcast she said everything came to a stop. People stopped working, cars stopped in the street and the speech was broadcast throughout schools. She was in class at the time. She said when he announced Japan's surrender, kids in her class, even the teacher began to cry. After the speech she said the principal sent everyone home for the day. The real kicker I get from this video is how close my grandmother came to never experiencing this. She lived in Kokura.

[@georgexintarakos]

Thank you for sharing these details.

[@phil20_20]

Woooa! Glad it didn't happen. My Dad worked on the Manhatten Project. He seemed pretty sad about it when i was growing up. He later was a Scout Master, and he was succeeded by his Japanese American friend, the Assistant Scout Master. 👍👍

[@lucambridgman7978]

I have heard a NPR program that says after the broadcast many Japanese turned angry. This was because they knew the end was coming, but still sent their teenage kids to fight, etc. They considered the Emperor as God like, but that mystic was all gone after the broadcast. Their kids or other soldiers would have never died if the Emperor and the military surrendered when the conclusion is over well before August. The idea of the American would land in Japan to do a genocide was a propaganda and that was why everyone thought that this would be a fight down to the last man. After this mess, the Emperor was no longer considered a God. The royal family was pardoned by the Americas for political reasons, so the blame was put on the military top brass, even though the emperor clearly was an active participant, not the propaganda that says Tojo was the culprit.

[@jamesbeasley8122]

Glad your grandmother and a whole lot of other people survived the war If it had gone on, a good many on both sides would not have lived.

[@RubyBandUSA]

Evan D, you are a great wordsmith. You ended your comment very dramatically.

[@AshtonTheAyyylien]

I’m grateful that these stories are not completely lost to history, and they never should be either.

[@rikk319]

@Cleetus Farragamo History is a vast subject. There isn't enough time in school to learn it all. It requires a lifelong dedication to even understand a portion of it.

[@kathycaldwell7126]

Cleetus Farragamo Agree. We owe it to our children and subsequent generations to get the facts right re: our decision.

[@antonbruce1241]

@@rikk319 I agree completely. I've been studying history since I was in my teens. I'm now 62, and I'm STILL learning history.

[@dr.emilschaffhausen4683]

That sure isn't the desire for a lot of leftists these days. Erasing history has become a mission for many.

[@AshtonTheAyyylien]

@@dr.emilschaffhausen4683 Luckily I’m capable of understanding the importance of history no matter my political position and I hope more people can respect the idea that facts are facts for people of all ideologies

[@feeberizer]

This is the first time I've seen this video. It's also the first time I've heard someone acknowledge the additional bombs. My father was in the TR-5 (Spectrographic and Photographic) Group at Trinity. He would have been the cameraman on the 3rd drop. When I asked him which city was the target, he claimed to have "forgotten" but I'm certain he was continuing to protect still classified information. I moved to Doña Ana County in 2011 about 90 miles due south of Trinity. Sadly, my father had passed in 2003, so I wasn't able to tell him that I went to the April open house and saw many of the photos he'd taken that I grew up with. I also got to find out the name of the US Cavalry horse he would ride when he accompanied the unit doing perimeter patrol. His name was Argo, Dad.

[@secondlook]

❤

[@AYVYN]

Even though I’ve heard the less-detailed story, your superb narration made it seem like they would never surrender. This is history.

[@TheMohawkNinja]

"The Americans wanted to abolish the monarchy" "The British favored retaining it" Go figure LOL

[@stancunningham3711]

Not so unique of a position. Unlike in Nazi Germany a killing of the Emperor left too much uncertainty if anyone else would have enough sway to make a capitulation stick. It may of come down to the Americans eliminating Hirohito but the Japanese military leaders may have done it themselves if they were determined to fight to the end.

[@matthewgaines10]

Yet, it was Douglas MacArthur who insisted Empiror Hirohito retain the throne. Last time I checked, he was an American and he was the American (along with the US President) who mattered. The so called British who wanted to keep the empiror can't claim credit for his retention being MacArthur was in charge of the occupation forces in Japan. The President went along with MacArthur's suggestion, not because of what the British thought.

[@jefferyindorf699]

NO! REALLY???

[@spearfisherman308]

No it was out of pragmatism and to retain stability.

[@b-man2961]

The retention of the Monarchy, was a seminal element that also saved a lot of lives, the politicians and generals were not believed like Emperor Hirohito, and in him they trusted and believed.

[@normangerring4645]

These programs should be required viewing in our schools.

[@Grilled-Cheese-Sandwich]

Remember kids do your math or else goodbye

[@mediamattersismycockholste562]

But then they wouldn't have time for 'Marxism 101', and 'Transgender Studies for 5th graders', and 'Capitalism, the history of evil', and 'Racism is Everything' AND 'Everyone I don't like is HITLER!'.

[@rogercarrico4975]

No,No they get evolution junk. How fish grew feathers and flew. What a joke!!!

[@rogercarrico4975]

Wow today is August 9 2020. Just 75 short years ago.

[@paveantelic7876]

@@mediamattersismycockholste562 what school did you go to??

[@kennethbolton951]

My Uncle, who joined the Marines at 17 fought from Makin island from Nautilus submarine raid, Guadalcanal to Iwo Jima as a scout sniper, out of his company of 250 of which only three made it to the end of the war showed me a medallion which showed a mushroom cloud titled "Peace for Japan". He said, "if not for this I wouldn't be here today". It is more than ironic that at 15 in 1963 my Dad would be stationed there and I would be going to HS and playing basketball with Japanese kids.

[@DoctorX101]

And, as you uncle implied, if not for the use of the bombs those kids would not have been around to play basketball with you. War is such a dirty and disgusting business.

[@LairAstro]

When I went to Hiroshima I visited the eternal flame and the museum it was pretty surreal, the amount of people there and how quiet it was really left a mark.

[@15kr]

My wife and I visited Hiroshima's Peace Museum in 1990. The vibe we got was good - people were glad to see us there.

[@sr633]

When the record of the emperor's surrender was broadcast to the Japanese people it was the first time his voice had ever been heard by the population.

[@hughmungus1767]

@sr633 - I've read that many ordinary people were surprised that the Emperor could speak ordinary Japanese; apparently the Emperor and his inner circle typically spoke a special dialect of Japanese pretty much exclusively.

[@sr633]

@@hughmungus1767 The emperor was a God to his people that goes back forever. Hearing his voice was too much to be understand.

[@Fortigurn]

@@hughmungus1767 in the broadcast he spoke court dialect and was consequently not understood by the populace. His announcement was repeated by a radio broadcaster speaking in the modern dialect of every day Japanese, so people would know what had been said.

[@staceygrove5976]

@@hughmungus1767 At one point in the broadcast the emperor apparently remarked "The situation has developed, not necessarily to our advantage". Talk about understatement....

[@kirbyculp3449]

The surrender broadcast was pre-recorded the day before. Fanatics tried to find and destroy the record to prevent the broadcast.

[@SamVillano]

“His plush, underground bunker.” I smell a future episode.

[@ronmelys2854]

I hope so!!!

[@_-.-_-_.._--.-_-_----_-.--_._-]

You should see his personal transport halftrack. It has a chandelier and comfy interior.

[@istvansipos9940]

21:21 "posh, underground bunker" www.google.com/search?q=posh&oq=posh&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l2j46l2j0j46j0.2767j0j9&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 But yeah, we might see that in a future episode

[@juliediamond6017]

Great idea!

[@juanitalerssen7335]

perchance our beloved bite-me biden could rent it. nice imaginative western gulag white - i mean redhouse where he can rule his fantasy marxist world

[@jameshoran8]

All I know is that my mother was a captain in the Army Nurse Corps stationed on Okinawa who was firmly convinced she would die with the invasion of Japan. The two devices dropped on Japan stopped that invasion and saved my mother's life. I took my mom from Philadelphia to Cape May New Jersey in August of 1995 to meet Colonel Paul Tibbets. Her reaction to meeting him and the kindness that he showed my mother I will never forget.

[@JP-qc8ud]

I had a house in Cape May for 15 years. Did Tibet’s live there

[@jimwerther]

Geez, if you appreciate the man, at least spell his name correctly.

[@jameshoran8]

@@JP-qc8ud no he was at Cape May's airport to give a speech

[@Flussig1]

My father was also on Okinawa when the bombs were dropped and told me the same thing. But for those bombs, I probably wouldn't have survived.

[@ch11ew12y]

My Dad was a Sea Bee on Okinawa. He developed surveillance photos taken by P 38's.

[@kystars]

I wanted to add another comment. Truman asked Stalin to invade on that day and time. Stalin agreed. He knew it would put extra pressure on Japan. Truman was trying to end the war. He cared about civilian deaths, Japanese officials did not. If I had been Truman, I think I would have done just as he did. I wouldn't have wanted to drop another Atomic bomb unless they really had too. I think if they had not surrendered , the 3rd atomic bomb would be dropped. I read from many other sources, at the time, the Americans had 5 Atomic bombs ready . They could still build more . I'm glad it ended when it did. The Japanese people actually Loved General MacArthur. He kept many Japanese in the positions they were already in. He let them run their own cities. The US Rebuilt Japan over time. He built baseball fields in Japan. He offered free ice cream for the Japanese that wanted to see the game. The Japanese held him in high regard. It wasn't their fault what happened , and he showed much kindness to the Japanese people.

[@patmctallica3522]

Each sentence a very nice fairy tale! Swell, its internet, right?

[@freedomisbrightestindungeons]

@@patmctallica3522we rebuilt Japan after the war and made them into the modern country you see today We were kind enough not to annex Japan and make it into a United States territory

[@thomaswilkinson3241]

I read the title, frowned, and then realized it was a Mark Felton Documentary, so it couldn't be anything but fact based content.

[@jakemillar649]

Some of the videos sound a bit out there but that is part of the job of a historian.

[@reddirtroots5992]

Indeed! I thought quite the same thing.

[@jjiang7488]

rudiger891 Chill out. Ever heard of sarcasm?

[@1977Yakko]

The Manhattan Project produced 4 devices. Trinity, Little Boy and Fat Man. The 4th one wasn't used and didn't have a catchy nickname.

[@bigboxes]

@rudiger891 If you didn't get his comment, read it again. It's ok to admit you didn't understand his comment the first time you read it.

[@julian9898]

The history channel needs to ditch “ancient aliens” and “american pickers” and go back to stuff like this!

[@motrhead69]

Can't,too many P.C. assholes get butthurt over history,sad

[@iancrossley6637]

You are right.

[@superloose5632]

I believe it’s too late for the history channel, Mark Felton does a better job!

[@bradleyg7498]

I agree, though I like American Pickers and the history behind the items they find.

[@kevincollins7767]

Any text that includes "Could it be, could it just possibly be...?" just is not history.

[@bryannelson6139]

Another great video. I learned so much from Mark Felton. I am well read on World War II, but I continually learn new things from Mark’s videos. I had no idea the surrender of the Japanese was this complicated and messy. Wow, the war could’ve easily gone on longer.

[@floresdta]

Any recommendations for resources you’ve studied about WW2

[@Yk1000-]

That's right the war would've raged on until way above 1946 but because the Japs learned what true terror and fear looks like it forced them on there knees for good they were no longer a threat against peace or humanity.

[@TabbzManiaGaming]

Brilliant content that deserves the medal of honour for creating pleasant interesting factual content thanks for the hard work you put into this Fragments of History

[@WayneTheSeine]

Great production. At 73 years of age...I am learning important facts that were never taught but should have been.

[@sweebystpu]

Never too old to learn!

[@WayneTheSeine]

@@sweebystpu Amen....I am like a dry sponge trying to learn and absorb so much in the way of history and science. Science particularly. Anxiously awaiting the landing of Perseverance tomorrow. I will feel blessed if I live to see incoming images from the James Webb Space Telescope.

[@TheScandoman]

That is because it makes it easier to tell the story, and be done with it.: many people were uncomfortable with the idea of one bomb killing so many people (as if noone was dying when the used regular bombs!), and many people were uncomfortable with the idea that the Japanese were not only willing to take more, but that it was the theeat of the Russians that 'tipped' the balance. Bottom line is that as horrible as it was to have used them, and while Truman was mainly trying to save Allied lives, and keep Soviet occupation and influence contained to the mainland: USA and UK were upset that Soviets had faciltated the Empire's efforts through their non-agression pact, and it was a bit questionable when/if they would finally go against Japan. Japanese today seem to remember the atom bombs as the only thing that should be apologized for, when, the net result is that, even after two of were used, much of their leadership was still prefering to have millions of women and children die in the streets, 'fighting' with sticks and farm tools so that leadership would have less people to be conscious of their failure and folly, and THEIR war crimes! Unfortunately, USA, pretty much turned their backs on the victims of Japanese atrocities, and agreed to 'move on' without really holding many people accountable, and prohibiting victims, whether individual, or united, from seeking redress. While it was, perhaps unfortunate that the effects of radioactive fallout were either not well understood at the time, or disregarded by some decision-makers (I am not certain which, or by whom), In the end, the USA was uncertain of what the Soviets would do (regardless of what exactly they wanted to do, the Soviets wanted more time to bring more troops, equipment, supplies east before they had to fight the Japanese [it is FAR!], and only declared war on the Japanese AFTER the atom bombs were used, and felt the end was coming sooner), the fact that the Russians started shooting cannot be disregarded in evaluating the Japanese decision, the USA and UK really didn't want to trust/rely on the Soviets, but if 'conventional' bombing, continued, as.they had been doing, thousands and thousands of people would still have died, horribly, both on the mainland, and the 'home islands', whether in the explosions, the fires, or the starvation, and the Soviets would have acquired even more territory. USA/Truman saw the use of the atom bombs as a chance to have far fewer people (both Allied AND Japanese) suffer and die. And while it didn't have exact result that was hoped for*, it was pretty much worth trying, at least once. * I always found it pretty interesting that several Japanese generals were SO sure that there were only a few atom bombs, and now, it is pretty clear that the Soviets were getting frequent reports on the progress of the bombs' development, and it would make some sense that they would relay information to the Japanese to get them to defer surrender. With the ulterior motive of giving the Soviets more preparation time.

[@nisiyoh7145]

@Wayne The Seine As a 20 year old going on 21, I would like to ask you about life lessons and any piece of wisdom you’d want to give to someone my age?

[@fauziaali4565]

@@TheScandoman America was wrong to drop the Atomic Bomb. you cant do what your enemies does you are supposed to be the leader

[@travelinben1966]

I’ve never been more interested in history since I began watching and listening to Dr. Feltons work.He is an international treasure.👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@billbrandley5839]

Another channel to check out is "The History Guy."

[@zh2266]

"The Great War" is a good channel too, cover WW1 and 2 in great detail. Although Mark is my favourite out of all of them

[@travelinben1966]

@@zh2266 I will check it out.Thanks for the info!

[@addandminus1261]

Try epic history tv he feature ww1 And All Napoleonics Campain its Very Good channel also and dont forget the most Informative Channel of all time THE OLD PATH Channel

[@JeromeGardiner]

I wish T Harry Williams, a great historian at LSU was alive today to do youtube videos. I never missed his classes, actually sat in on one of his political classes just because he was so great. You never knew if he would have you bent over laughing, crying like a small child, or just hypnotized by his magic. Dr. Felton is really good, but T Harry would have been a rock star. The day he died was the loss of a library and a living museum. Rest in Peace

[@garpylinski3757]

Well done. Your videos are so much better than all the others I watch. Always informative. And never redundant. 👍

[@loganlorn]

Thank you for all your efforts Mr. Felton. I was wondering if enough info exist on Hirohito's bunker worth an episode? Sounds fascinating.

[@markuswx1322]

So many questions I would have asked my Dad before his death in the early 2000s...he was on MacArthur's staff and saw the devastated cities, saw the famous Dr. Suzuki attending the burn victims, saw Hirohito and his son Akihito pass his desk at GHQ, visited the Imperial Palace, saw Tojo in Omori Prison where American POWs had been held, and so much more--a witness to history. It just seemed like old war stories then. I would be so much more engaged and interested now. Thanks, Mark Felton, for illuminating those complex and transforming times.

[@BingBangBye]

I agree. My father was an FBI agent during the war, and I wish now I'd asked him more about that.

[@richardkidwell4134]

I know what you mean. I did ask questions, but so many more I wish I would have asked. My dad experienced alot, wish ID heard it all.

[@Kiltoonie]

My father in law, and my uncle, were FEPOWs : they were very lucky to survive, and they were tough guys. Most allied FEPOWS perished.

[@achillebelanger9866]

My Father was there too,with Naval Intelligence. At one time he held the Surrender Recording in his arms,during the Uprising at the Imperial Palace.

[@Kiltoonie]

@@achillebelanger9866 we stand on the shoulders of giants, and yet we cannot even manage a flu pandemic now without panicking like little girls.

[@MichaelThomas-be7gq]

I've watched many documentaries regarding the downfall of Japan - this is by far the most concise, factual, and accessible. Well done Mark, superb work.

[@p51mustang24]

It leaves out the fact that Truman kept the terms about the monarchy because he wanted to EXTEND the war with an already defeated Japan, in order to allow enough time to drop those 2 bombs. It had more to do with showing the USSR how big our dick was.

[@p51mustang24]

This oversight leaves the video feeling rather inadequate and more like a propaganda piece.

[@terryomalley9669]

@@p51mustang24 The Japanese are now one of our best allies.

[@ElGrandoCaymano]

@@p51mustang24 If Japan was already defeated, then why weren't they aware and surrender? Watch to the end of Mark's film to find out.

[@jwiles545]

@@p51mustang24 he left it out because its pure supposition with no evidence supporting it.

[@2pacalypse255]

The music, the voice, the narration, the facts. This all works very well together.👌🏻

[@mickpilsworth1]

As always, a really fascinating take on history we thought we knew.....thank you Mark, once again!

[@gregwyatt8108]

My father was a mechanical engineer he was 26 in 1945, he worked on the bomb, had no idea what he was working on, I still have his security badge from Los Alamos

[@timduncan9372]

Had no idea what he was working on?

[@praetor4118]

@@timduncan9372 Compartmentalization was pretty heavily emphasized for reasons of utmost secrecy. I don't know if it's true but I grew up being told my great grandmother helped design something for it during her service but wasn't told what it would be for either. That particular story is probably false for reasons I won't go into. I did look around for information on the project in the past few years though and a lot of things I've read do corroborate with the compartmentalization of the teams working on it, though.

[@brucenorman8904]

@@timduncan9372 all menial staff janitors and such were recruited from illiterates anyone who was literate was not considered eligible for hire.

[@schmekky]

Do you have his pins?

[@helmsscotta]

@@timduncan9372 : There were hundreds of thousands of people working on the Manhattan project. Only a few knew what they were working on.

[@cameronlewis1218]

I also love that Dr. Felton mentions the massive conventional B29 bombing raid on August 14. There were so many things going at that point of the war, that event has almost been forgotten...

[@grizzz6884]

well, by that point the Ns were running the usa . the bankers never done their own dirty work

[@Maya_s1999]

I started reading about Oppenheimer in a casual manner and ended up becoming enthralled by all the things I hadn't been taught at school about the atomic bombs deployed in Japan. This is the best video and detailed account I have ever seen about the Japanese surrender. Everyone should watch it to get further context on the events, as I would be quite confident that what 99.999 % of people know (including myself) is far too simplistic.

[@ericman4023]

And sadly completely false - but hey - you can't beat history via KZbin hey?

[@Maya_s1999]

@@ericman4023 really? so what is the truth and what are your sources? I have spoken to many older Japanese people and what Mark Felton described is completely accurate. Plus further bombs were indeed in development since uranium was no longer a limiting factor.

[@hansmeyer403]

Thank you, Mark, for this enlightening summary of the nukes and Japan's surrender. I only knew bits here and there. It is very good to see the connections.

[@ericman4023]

What connections? That the Japanese were already about to surrender before the bomb on Hiroshima was dropped? Because that's the truth.

[@sdw2is]

I'm a student of these days in Japan and World war II. The information that you provided, Mark, is astounding in its scholarship. This documentary, in my opinion, is worthy of an award.

[@aussiepatriot7892]

So many little facts mentioned that nobody else covers like this, in one brilliant package. Bravo! 🥇

[@apinakapina]

Well, of course there's somebody... Check out youtuber Shaun and his piece on dropping the bombs. But you're right, mr. Felton does an outstanding job (and without taking 2 hours to do it).

[@ParkTheGoalie]

Guess you haven’t watched many documentary’s on ww2

[@Livin4Jesus00]

watch "A World at War". It's brilliantly produced as well

[@mdnealy4097]

PS, the infamous study that stated millions of Americans would die in an invasion does not exist. IT was nothing but speculation fueled by Truman. Here is why he dropped the bomb, He feared that Japan would mount a fresh attack on US forces. He felt that without the bomb a costly invasion would be necessary. He feared a Japanese invasion of the California coast. However, Japan was devasted and didn't have the ability to feed themselves much less mount an invasion anywhere in the world.

[@CAPTAINBAZOOKA-wn5by]

well here a fact he got wrong......Japan was trying for the last 6 months of the war to surrender..they told their ambassador in Russia to try to get the USA to understand they they were ready to negotiate. Japan's sole proviso was that its sacred emperor be retained. Also President Truman and those around him knew this through intercepted Japanese diplomatic messages...the myth that Japan didn't want to surrender is something we say, to justified the dropping of the bomb....as i said before...Japan was looking for a way out of this war.........many people say that one of the real reasons we drop the Bomb was to show Russia.....what we were capable of......and.....NOT TO MESS WITH US....

[@jl696]

I did not know anything about a coup before the Japanese surrender. Thank you for providing this very informative video.

[@RavenswoodProductions]

I thank Mr. Felton for producing this video. I am of the opinion, having read a considerable amount on the topic, that the potential of having Soviet troops on Japanese soil (and knowing how the Red Army had treated Germany) was a much more significant factor in the surrender decision than this video might indicate.

[@dashcroft1892]

The Doctor is in. Putting history in context as usual, and never a dull moment.

[@davidd1057]

As a guy who likes history I grow weary of simplistic explanations like, "it was racism!", or "it was to scare the USSR!", or "it was to test the bomb!", or blah, blah, blah. Real history is never so simplistic and one-dimensional. Mr. Felton always displays his deep understanding of history by exploring the many complex forces that came together to produce any historical event. He not only teaches us about these events (which would be worthwhile enough) but also that history is never a simple melodrama of "good guys vs. bad guys". He helps us see the world and human experience in greater depth, which is what shows him to be worthy of the title, Historian. Thank you, sir.

[@zachosborne6577]

I have always loved history, this channel and toldinstone are both awesome. Thanks for the great content

[@TheHk1966]

Dr. Felton: how do you build your pipeline of topics for your videos? You illuminate subjects that are rarely if ever covered by anyone else.

[@punkinhaidmartin]

I detect no agenda here but to relay information. Bravo.

[@cybereus836]

Mark Felton, is the only Historical Podcaster/KZbinr who at this point who doesn't thrust his opinion on you (Dan Carlin is pretty close, I will say though Dan Carlin makes a very entertaining Podcast)

[@ViciousAlienKlown]

That says a lot about today's generation, doesn't it?

[@cybereus836]

@@ViciousAlienKlown It really says nothing about today's generation.

[@ViciousAlienKlown]

@@cybereus836 It says everything about today's generation. This a statement not a question.

[@davidcockayne3381]

@@cybereus836 Yeah, it does. Today, every broadcaster begins such accounts with a virtue signalling conclusion and then assembles the facts accordingly. Same thing, pretty much, with any account of the great battles of WWI.

[@Page5framing]

Mark should make a bumper sticker that says “I don’t like any current event closer than 1947”. I would buy that.

[@FreedomLovingLoyalistOfficial]

He should establish an online store.

[@1badhaircut]

If the war had been lost there would not have been anything to live for.

[@pablononescobar]

He's made videos about the Falklands War

[@FreedomLovingLoyalistOfficial]

@@pablononescobar Oh yeah, I forgot about that.

[@Ndlanding]

@Philip Maybe you should start with learning English. ;)

[@adderman1950]

My father was stationed on Guam and was a tail gunner on a B29 which carried out conventional raids on Japan using incendiary bombs. Due to the typical construction in Japan these bombs were particularly devastating. I thank God they dropped the A Bombs otherwise the war would have continued and the chances of my father surviving and me even existing would have been rather slim. It has always puzzled me why people get so wound up over the use of thosse weapons. If you know history the best illustration of how callous the Japanese government was toward civilian deaths in their country is the fact that in one night's raid over Tokyo we dropped enough incendiary bombs to kill more people than the A Bombs caused yet the Japanese were unwilling to surrender. I realize it was the introduction of a new technology to the world yet we had already killed in one night with conventional weapons more people than died from the A Bombs use.

[@naguerea]

Mark Felton Productions. a sign of information and excellence, thank you.

[@justohyland4406]

Hated history at school, now 50 years later I can’t get enough…Mark’s videos are second to none…love to all 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@user-ed8wc1yr8s]

広島・長崎人体実験でした！ 戦争が早く終わりそうだから 原子爆弾の人体実験実行したのです。 戦後広島の被爆者少女を助ける治療をする 偽りの治療で少女が被ばくで死んでいく過程を 記録して死ぬと臓器を取り出しアメリカに 持ち帰りました！ 真珠湾攻撃では、日本のパイロットは、民間人を攻撃しませんでした！ 軍事施設に限定した爆撃です。米軍は、 広島・長崎・大阪・東京など無差別民間人を狙った大殺戮である。 It was a human experiment in Hiroshima and Nagasaki! The war was about to end soon, so we conducted a human experiment on the atomic bomb. Treating a girl who helped an A-bomb survivor in Hiroshima after the war Recorded the process of a girl dying of exposure by false treatment, and when she died, she took out her organs and took them back to the United States! In pearl harbor attack, Japanese pilots did not attack civilians! It is a bombing limited to military facilities. The U.S. military is a massacre targeting indiscriminate civilians in Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Osaka, Tokyo, and other areas.

[@user-ed8wc1yr8s]

Japan fought for Asia. I will not regret Reflecting on the indiscriminate bombing United States. You should reflect! Two atomic bombs are human experiments! What country are you in? Is it bad to lose the war? Japan fought for Asia. I will not reflect Reflecting on the indiscriminate bombing Allied. You should reflect on it! The two atomic bombs were human experiments!

[@Yeahimman32]

@@user-ed8wc1yr8s cool fictional story bro💀

[@user-ed8wc1yr8s]

@@Yeahimman32 広島・長崎人体実験でした！ 戦争が早く終わりそうだから 原子爆弾の人体実験実行したのです。 戦後広島の被爆者少女を助ける治療をする 偽りの治療で少女が被ばくで死んでいく過程を 記録して死ぬと臓器を取り出しアメリカに 持ち帰りました！ 真珠湾攻撃では、日本のパイロットは、民間人を攻撃しませんでした！ 軍事施設に限定した爆撃です。米軍は、 広島・長崎・大阪・東京など無差別民間人を狙った大殺戮である。 It was a human experiment in Hiroshima and Nagasaki! The war was about to end soon, so we conducted a human experiment on the atomic bomb. Treating a girl who helped an A-bomb survivor in Hiroshima after the war Recorded the process of a girl dying of exposure by false treatment, and when she died, she took out her organs and took them back to the United States! In pearl harbor attack, Japanese pilots did not attack civilians! It is a bombing limited to military facilities. The U.S. military is a massacre targeting indiscriminate civilians in Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Osaka, Tokyo, and other areas.

[@user-ed8wc1yr8s]

@@Yeahimman32 Unit 731 says that once the United States is outflanked, neighbors will be in an uproar because the nightmare of this brutality will be revived. Therefore, he concludes, "Just as German Chancellor Brandt kneeled at the Jewish ghetto monument in Warsaw and apologized, Abe should once again sincerely apologize to Asian countries." He wrote, "Unit 731 is an epidemic prevention unit, which is a blatant lie. I am writing this article based on the rumor that it created biochemical weapons and conducted cruel biological experiments. However, even after half a century, I can still prove the rumor. There was no evidence or testimony, instead rumors spread that ``the human experiment data was not available to the United States, a humanitarian nation, so Ishii's unit's experiment leaders were given the data without questioning their guilt.'' . That's why it's natural that there's no evidence, according to US historians Sheldon Harris and others. The 731 also experimented with putting a human in a vacuum tube and exploding it. "Internal organs popped out of the eyes and mouth and ruptured." Around the same time, it was revealed that the United States killed 83 people in Guatemala before and after World War II by injecting syphilis into the eyes and brain of a retarded girl. Obama finally apologized. The grounds for rumors that the United States cannot conduct human experiments have also been blown away. Tepperman writes a false history, and Columbia University professor Gerald Curtis also refuses to verify history, saying, "Why do you make remarks that provoke a backlash?" Is true history so inconvenient for America? He admits that the investigation found no evidence. Caution against Japan's use of germ warfare As the competition for research on biological warfare progressed during World War II, the United States remained vigilant against Japan's use of biological weapons until the end of the war. After the war, it turned out that there was no evidence that the Similarly, regarding the US mainland, balloon bombs collected by the US Naval Research Laboratory were examined at the end of the war to see if balloon bombs from Japan could be used for germ warfare. A document was also released that concluded that war was not envisioned. From around 1944 until the end of the war, the U.S. interest in Japan focused on the development of germ weapons and clarification of the actual activities of Unit 731. The emphasis has shifted to obtaining research results (stealing Japanese intellectual property) through interrogation of The person who the US side was most interested in was Lieutenant General Ishii, who commanded Unit 731. An information report from December 1945 also mentions that a fake funeral was held in his hometown in Chiba Prefecture, pretending that the lieutenant general had died. Records of reports and repeated interrogations have been preserved. It has been said that Lieutenant General Ishii handed over the results of his research on biological warfare to the United States in exchange for the protection of himself and his subordinates. Contains content that conforms to "Lt. Gen. Ishii, a key figure in the bioweapons program, is currently drafting an agreement covering the entire issue. The document will include his ideas on the strategic and tactical use of bioweapons. It is expected that the skeleton of 20 years of research on biological weapons will be shown, and will be completed on July 15th." 　The same document states that ``more than 200 people infected with bacteria'' were hidden ``in the mountains of southern Japan''. It was also noted that about 8,000 pathological specimen slides collected would be provided to the U.S. side by the end of August 1947. While rushing to collect information from Japan, the US side was strongly wary of information about germ warfare being passed on to the former Soviet Union, which had become a rival in the Cold War. For the Khabarovsk trial, the former Soviet Union was reluctant to hand over evidence related to biological warfare, while about 30 Unit 731 personnel said they were "engaged in research projects on biological weapons near Moscow." The monthly information report was also revealed this time.

[@noway1805]

Fellow lovers of history, we need to all try and get the History Channel to fund Mark Felton. Our kids deserve to know actual history.

[@loganholmberg2295]

Not just the kids but us too. So much has been unclassified or discovered as the US and Soviets opened their records that the whole ciriculum needs to be updated from ww2 to the cold war ending. Hell my dad and Mom were taught the Soviets contributed nothing to the war and both of my Dad's parents served in the Royal Canadian Airforce during WW2. They still give me strange looks when I try to talk to them about all this new info. So I've been playing some of Mr Feltons content and Time ghosts histories week by week of ww2 when they visit me once a week.

[@wolfshanze5980]

The history broke away from history TV... if you want to watch stuff like this, get The Military History Channel... it is a thing.

[@danielmocsny5066]

Just teach the lazy kids to read books, and problem solved.

[@NemoBlank]

The people that bought out the HC don't want us to know our history.

[@ohmyrage]

It's those TV production companies that ruin it, suits coming in and saying "oh that won't be interesting, can you do it more like this about that" . We have to be the one's to help support with a few bucks here and there

[@JP-vs1ys]

As always, well done by Dr. Felton. If your dad, grandfather, or other relative were bound for Japan to end this war, how could you not support this horrific weapon given Japanese intransigence? There was little choice for Truman and the complexities of the situation are well presented. We hear very little about the unwillingness for Japan to surrender among the overshadow of the power of nuclear weapons. This was a refreshing change in perspective. Terrible but necessary.

[@geeky12ful]

My father who was in the Army Air Corp had just been sent in August 1945 to Greensboro NC to be processed at the ORD for shipping overseas. He knew he was probably headed to Japan where he would most likely end up dying in combat. He always said that the dropping of the atomic bombs saved his as well as thousands of Allied troops lives.

[@hkschubert9938]

This has been a wonderfully detailed documentary. Thank you !!

[@JagdPanther101]

Highly, HIGHLY recommend reading "Downfall: The End of the Imperial Japanese Empire" by Richard B. Frank if you're interested in the waning months, weeks, and days of World War II. Absolutely phenomenal read with a huge amount of contemporary Japanese sources bolstering it. The Imperial Cabinet was an absolute mess in August 1945. I don't know we'll ever truly, fully understand why the Japanese made the decisions and moves they did in the last few days and what carried the most weight for the decision to surrender, but Frank does a really good job of trying to at least put the information out there. EDIT: Also, that ending reminds me of a neat little story for Japan's official surrender. The USS West Virginia and USS Detroit were both in Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941. Nearly 4 years later, both were in Tokyo Bay on September 2nd, 1945. Five members of West Virginia's band were sent to the Might Mo for the surrender so that sailors from a ship at Pearl Harbor would be present for the ceremony.

[@chilledandcool3918]

That's cool!! 😎👍🏾👍🏾

[@richardmalcolm1457]

Seconded, with gusto. (Genrico's book on DOWNFALL is a solid runner-up.)

[@michaeldunne338]

Yes, a good book.

[@Latinkon]

Bought it a decade ago. It's an excellent read.

[@planescaped]

Imperial Japan had a worldview that was more akin to a country in ancient roman times. They were a country 1000 years out of sync with the rest of the world.

[@Brinkly1000]

Another slice of history that I didn’t know! Thanks Dr Mark.

[@adolfopempena579]

Mike Felton's Literature about history more esp. on World War II is authentic.Kudos to you, Mike!

[@johnharrington1800]

This ticktock about the hours leading up to Japan's surrender is a great story well told by Mark Felton. Would make for a great movie.

[@arostwocents]

It's called a video. Kids these days 😂

[@matthewsay3756]

Let’s all agree we all want or wanted a teacher like Dr. Felton in high school, I sure do!

[@flagmichael]

My wife and I have several times strayed into wondering how history teachers in the schools we attended managed to make history so lifeless. We both grew up to enjoy historical accounts. On KZbin we have Mark Felton and The History Guy, people who know how to recreate the life force of the events that brought us to where we are now.

[@matthewsay3756]

flagmichael I am a high school student and I’ve had only 2-3 teachers in my entire time of being in school who have attempted to make history fun and interesting

[@JohnSmith-pd1fz]

++Matthew Say++ Agreed! The only "history teacher" I can remember anything about was a devout communist with no interest in putting any point of view other than her own across. That was in the late 1950's and the socialist brainwashing of our children continues to this day.

[@mason11198]

I had a good teacher, but asking for Dr Felton is quite a high order; not many of him lying around, and if they are, they are more likely then not professors

[@jimervin387]

I'd be there any day for his classes.

[@theprofiler8531]

I never knew about a third bomb and I considered myself knowledgeable about the war. Mark never ceases to amaze and teach me new things. He is an extraordinary man.

[@matthewgaines10]

It's rather common knowledge. The plutonium for the 3rd bomb formed what was later called the demon core. Since it wasn't dropped, scientist did experiments with it and it direct killed a couple of scientists in two separate prompt criticality events. Others made have died due cancers which may have been related. The demon core was melted down and used in other bombs because of its killing reputation.

[@circleofstone3114]

Love these videos! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 Great job my guy🍻

[@dng6121]

Mark I love military history and your productions are the best on the internet.

[@ianraper4304]

Nicely put together with little or no histrionics or embellishments - the way history should be told, facts, not fiction. Thumbs up.

[@donavanjewkoskie5102]

It’s fake there were only 2 atom bombs used in war

[@lucaslo8170]

@@donavanjewkoskie5102 He said they were planning on using a third, he didn't say that they actually used it

[@donavanjewkoskie5102]

@@lucaslo8170 “third atomic bomb attack” an attack of a third atomic bomb

[@donavanjewkoskie5102]

@@lucaslo8170 look at the title jackass I’m saying he’s clickbating

[@lucaslo8170]

@@donavanjewkoskie5102 yeah u right

[@Nezumis]

This is how you teach history.

[@Nezumis]

@Chitown Livingston I guess it's a good thing that there was nothing to read.

[@ramiznorthland7179]

@Chitown Livingston he said that when he was watching Fox News on tv I remember

[@WMJCPA]

This is.a very interesting report, and it is believable. He is correct about the consideration of the war lasting into 1946 or 1947. I had seen one account where the American military was concerned that a ground invasion of Japan could have morphed into a guerrilla war that could have continued indefinitely. People.can debate the use of the bombs until they are blue in the face, the only thing that matters is they were used, there was no invasion and the war ended. Oh and Godzilla was created. Just kidding.

[@Klaaism]

Godzilla was just a fortunate side effect

[@Nezumis]

@@Klaaism Oh no. There goes Tokyo. Go go Godzilla.

[@vihockeyguy1]

Flipping awesome video. I love WW2 rabbits holes and I knew so little of what was in this video. I want to learn more about the attempted coup at the 11th hour before surrender

[@IanA96]

My grandfather was in the Army and was actually good friends with Paul Tibbets, they maintained contact well after the war ended.

[@battlejitney2197]

Hit the “Liked” button before watching because I knew I was going to enjoy the video, like I do EVERY one of Mark’s videos. They are just that good.

[@hdjono3351]

It’s great how there really is no question when starting one of marks videos that it will be of top quality

[@Montana_horseman]

Same here.. Start Mark's video with the like!

[@geoffhalsey2184]

The dropping of the A-Bombs is still controversial, but the devastation caused, loss of life and the consequences of radiation on the survivors showed the world what truly awful weapons they are. This terrible demonstration of their power has probably prevented their use since. Hopefully, they'll never be use again.

[@SuperExponential]

Noam Chomsky says that nuclear weapons have often been used in the sense that a robber with a gun can rob a store just by waving the gun around and not firing the gun.

[@1967davethewave]

My 89 year old mother's boyfriend was on a troop transport waiting off the Japanese coast in August of 1945. He was 19 years old at the time. He would have been the first wave in. He and everyone of his fellow soldiers were scared to death because they knew that chances of survival against a radical Japanese army would have very low. When the A bombs were dropped and the Japanese surrendered he and about half a million or more G.I.'s breathed a sigh of relief. As was stated in the video the Japanese were willing to sacrifice 100 million Japanese civilians to prolong the war. The atomic bombs killed around 140 thousand people immediately and about another 100 thousand over time. I think there was no better choice Truman could have made. As far as your statement that "The dropping of the A-Bombs is still controversial" it wasn't controversial in 1945 or for 50 years afterwards. It has only become "controversial" in the last 20 or so years by people who weren't there and have never had to imagine the death toll that would have been reality had the bombs not been used. But I totally agree that we should all pray that nukes never are used again, especially because modern ones make the A bombs look like firecrackers.

[@farmboy971]

I believe they were necessary to encourage the final surrender of japan. And I also believe that because they were used it made future leaders less likely to use them once the full effects were known. We really didn’t know how devastating the radiation poisoning would be.

[@soulscanner66]

@@1967davethewave The Japanese were ready to negotiate a peace, but the Americans held out for unconditional surrender. A conditional truce would have been a better option than deliberately vaporizing Japanese women and children. The Japanese Navy and air force had been destroyed. There was no need for an invasion or unconditional surrender.

[@1967davethewave]

@@soulscanner66 But an unconditional surrender was necessary for a lot of reasons. The Russians for one and the fact that the U.S. didn't want war to just start again against the Japanese in a few years if they had an Emperor that wanted revenge, like what had just happened in Germany. By the way, the Japanese are credited with killing over 10 million civilians during WW2 with over 6 million Chinese alone. There was a lot riding on unconditional surrender for more than just the United States.

[@louisavondart9178]

Another interesting fact is that Hirohito spoke in an old Japanese dialect in his surrender speech and that not many people understood what he was saying.

[@dnfrank1]

My father served under General Clark as part of a field artillery division which liberated Naples during WWII. After continuing northward, his 5 man team was shipped back to the US (having served his 6 month your of duty) just in time to receive a telegram ordering him to standby for further instructions....he was to return to Ft.Hood (now Caravos) , Texas for training for the invasion of Japan. The bomb dropped, saving his and the estimated 1 million US fatalities...and allowing me to write this.

[@johngrace199]

What's rarely discussed is the number of Japanese civilians who would have been killed in an invasion. Horrible as the atomic bombs were...several million Japanese would have perished in an Allied invasion.

[@simev3408]

This is an insightful review of world history not available in textbooks

[@LordFalconsword]

This next generation will be taught with textbooks (elearning) which only says we attacked Japan, because we're racists, or something.

[@paintnamer6403]

@@LordFalconsword That very well could be the North Korean version now.

[@almostfm]

@Dan Plans for invading the Japanese Home Islands were already quite a ways along at the time of the surrender. The US was anticipating such heavy casualties that they ordered a huge quantity of Purple Hearts be struck for the wounded they anticipated occurring. They struck so many that 75 years later, wounded soldiers are still getting Purple Hearts from that batch. The fact that there was a third bomb wasn't declassified until the 1990s.

[@waynepatterson5843]

@Dan --- My textbooks taught me that we only ever made two bombs and we would have kept fighting japan if they never surrendered. Bunch of bs Wayne Patterson --- There were a number of atomic bombs being assembled in 1945: 1945-07-16: MARK III THE GADGET, Plutonium implosion device, detonated on a test tower Alamagordo, New Mexico 1945-08-06: MARK I LITTLE BOY, HEU (Highly Enriched Uranium) gun-type, detonated in an air burst over Hiroshima, Japan. Five more MARK I units were constructed without ever completing them with all of the necessary components and fissionable cores. 1945-08-09: MARK III FAT MAN Unit F33, Plutonium implosion device, primary target planned for Kokura Arsenal, Japan; detonated in an air burst over secondary target Nagasaki, Japan 1945-08-20: MARK III, Plutonium implosion device, not used, FATMAN assembly present on Tinian, Plutonium core available for delivery to Tinian for use about 20-24 August 1945. 1945-09: Planned availability of three or more MARK III Plutonium implosion devices in the month of September 1945. 1945-10: Planned availability of six or more MARK III Plutonium implosion devices in the month of October 1945. Actual non-nuclear MARK III FATMAN bomb assemblies in stock without the nuclear components to complete the weapons were 60 units. 1945-11: Planned availability of perhaps seven to ten MARK III Plutonium implosion devices in the month of November 1945. 1945-12: Planned availability of perhaps seven to ten MARK III Plutonium implosion devices in the month of December 1945. 1946: Planned availability of perhaps ten or more MARK III Plutonium implosion devices in each month of 1946. 1946-07: MARK III atomic bomb inventory, seven MARK III Plutonium implosion devices complete with initiators and two more without initiators. In the absence of an order from Emperor Hirohito to surrender, the War Faction of the Supreme Council for the Direction of the War (Minister of War General Korechika Anami, Chief of the Army General Staff General Yoshijirō Umezu, and Chief of the Navy General Staff Admiral Soemu Toyoda) continued to oppose a Japanese surrender under any conditions. They preferred to continue the war at any cost until Americans and Allies suffered enough casualties in a war of attrition to compel the Allies to negotiate an armistice favorable to Japan. After receiving an intelligence report from the torture and interrogation of an American fighter pilot in which the pilot claimed there were 100 more atomic bombs stockpiled at the air base for immediate use against Japan, the Supreme Council for the Direction of the War concluded the Americans and Allies could from then on annihilate virtually all of Japan and the Japanese people without risking the casualties and attrition from an invasion. Minister of War General Korechika Anami welcomed the annihilation of Japan and the Japanese race rather than surrender. He remarked, "Would it not be wondrous for this whole nation to be destroyed like a beautiful flower?" Even after Emperor Hirohito ordered the surrender to occur, elements of the Imperial Japanese Army mutinied and made an unsuccessful attempt to accomplish a coup d'etat that was to stop the ordered surrender.

[@ritawilliams8686]

@@LordFalconsword So it is up to us to challenge them to search for facts....I have read that we did not have the materials to build a third bomb. that is why an invasion of Japan. My Dad was being trained as a photographer to go with the invading forces.

[@joelellis7035]

More proof that history isn't as neat and tidy as some authors would lead us to believe. Conventional notion is that the US dropped two nukes and the Japanese said, "Okay! That's enough! We give up!" The truth is that the fighting kept going on for weeks and some internal intrigue on the Japanese side tried to keep it going for longer.

[@comradeskeever1336]

@Heinz Guderian Many? You mean only one guy who missed the memo...

[@vive6500]

Yeah, most movies or documentaries say that it ended with a bomb. But there are some movies like Emperor that state the internal fighting and chaos that ensued after the blast.

[@donbrashsux]

Heinz Guderian .. many ..like who..?

[@Longtack55]

With a civilian army of 28 million things were about to get bloody.

[@stephenphillip5656]

@@Longtack55 Yes, they would have fought to the last child in the defence of their homeland. Casualty figures in the tens of millions.... on both sides.

[@leeread6757]

I got to meet and talk to Commander Fredrick Ashworth (who armed the Nagasaki bomb) at a presentation in Los Alamos. Very interesting conversation, this was in 2005 a few months before he passed away.

[@chrismccartney8668]

Superb asks as many question's as it answers Felton at his best..

[@samgagner5200]

As a young teacher of grade 5 students I had an excellent classroom volunteer who taught enriched mathematics to some learners. "Frank" was a retired geologist and a WW2 US army combat vet. We often chatted about his experiences during his time in the Philippines. During a conversation about the upcoming Remembrance Day assembly (Canada), I asked Frank what he and other soldiers had thought when they learned of the first A bomb drop. With considerable emotion he said, "We felt we had our lives back. At least we believed we had a chance of a life now." "We knew after the Philippines we'd be sent to invade the Japanese home islands. No chance of surviving that."

[@erikthorsen240]

Thank you for that comment. We owe so much to those men. And boys.

[@its1110]

My dad's division was ear-marked for the invasion of Japan. They ended up in France, Germany, and Austria after the Bulge, but were again destined for Japan after VE-Day. So... I don't complain too much about the A Bombs.

[@Coastfog]

I'm so happy Germany (where I'm from) surrendered early enough to miss this scourge. Thanks to all the people who gave their lives and health to free Germany, Europe, and the entire planet really, from the Nazi scum and their atrocities. I am here and can live a free life because of them. It's very disheartening to see so many countries all over the world openly flirting with fascism. This part of history must under no circumstances repeat itself.

[@its1110]

@@Coastfog I've a thought that, due to concern for fallout over the heavily populated Continent (as opposed to fallout going largely into an ocean), that the use of atomic bombs on Germany may have been omitted. OTOH... the US and Britain may not have been overly concerned about contamination of an Eastern Europe headed toward dominance by Stalin. There's much of tactical, strategic, and political natures to be considered upon. Hitler so terribly hurt and besmirched Germany. History and Empires played so cruelly with Germany.

[@its1110]

@Gavin MacNeish Well, in general, they did know about fallout even before the Trinity test, yes. For example, SciFi writers had used the theme of spreading fallout as a weapon just by scattering Uranium dust, even before Physicists had confirmed nuclear fission and the possibility of an A-bomb. The prevailing winds around Japan and China blow toward the East. There is a lot of nothing east of Japan until one gets to Marcus Island... and another big gap east of there. (It's also rough seas and foggy weather up there. The Japanese made good use of this for Pearl Harbor and the Midway/Aleutian Is. attacks.) I have to wonder sometimes how allied we were with China. It had been quite a mess brewing for some decades. But that's not important now...

[@Weirdude777]

As a recently graduated historian, and although my field of preference is the Middle AgesI, I strive to be like Dr. Felton. He truly is an inspiration!

[@bobgreene2892]

The fundamental difference between a historian who publishes video, and a video producer who happens to like history, is the level of detail provided with a clear, but nuanced narrative.

[@dominationyt7834]

@@bobgreene2892🤓☝️

[@1JamesMayToGoPlease]

Dr. Felton, I truly did not have you pegged as one who would remove comments. I was simply being honest. But I still want to thank you for the excellent and informative video :)

[@Skott62]

Its interesting because all the documentaries I have seen mainly through the History Channel have said after the second bomb was dropped there were no others left in the U.S. arsenal and it would take time to make more but here MFP shows there was in fact a third bomb ready to be shipped and used. As usual history needs to be updated. Thanks to MFP it hopefully will be.

[@UnitSe7en]

History doesn't need to be updated so much as lies need to stop being told. Interpretations of reality need to be recognized and rejected.

[@tachikomakusanagi3744]

Thats the History channel for you. Look up the term 'demon core', its been known about for some time. It ended up being far more of a threat to nuclear physicists than the Japanese. But i agree, my vague understanding of its existence is nothing compared to the detailed analysis given here by MFP

[@TKnightcrawler]

As I understand it, the third bomb wasn't ready when Nagasaki was bombed, but it was almost ready. The fourth/fifth/sixth bombs would have come a few weeks later.

[@stefanmarshall5689]

I agree I thought I read or watched somewhere that the third bomb wouldn't have been ready until September. Just goes to show how many little details there are on the topic of WW2.

[@larrytischler570]

@Leonardo's Truth wrong. The second bomb was not finished. And there were no more fisionable material to continue bombing. Truman a bluff. Toyota was very close to the truth.

[@tomcrews8467]

This must be the best retelling of these events that I’ve ever heard. My father not having enough points to go home, had been shipped from Germany to the Pacific. He was literally on an Army troopship when all this was going on. So, I never had issue with the dropping of the bomb. I just never knew how incredibly complex the decision making process was. If they had held back I might not be here today. My father might have been one of the 1 million expected casualties from the invasion. Thank you President Truman!

[@MarkTheMorose]

Tell us more about the points. Were they awarded by time served, or calculated by being in battle? What did someone need to accrue in order to head home?

[@tomcrews8467]

Per Wikipedia “Soldiers were given one point for each month of military service and one additional point was given for each month of overseas service. Each battle star or decoration earned a soldier 5 points. Soldiers were awarded 12 points per dependent child up to a maximum of three children. A total of 85 points was needed for eligibility. Soldiers who had earned that number of points were to be demobilized as soon as transport back to the United States was available.” Officers were required to have 70 points plus at least four years service. With the Japanese surrender things became problematic. Thousands of soldiers had been shipped to the pacific and now they had no place to be. There was an agreement with the Japanese to ship their soldiers home ASAP. So much of the troopship movement from August 1945 onward was about getting the Japanese soldier home. Many American soldiers were literally marooned all over the pacific without transport home. I had an uncle who was a Seabee and he hitched a ride on a submarine headed toward SF. I’m sure there were many more stories like this at the end. My father was finally allowed to jump the line when he was given emergency leave. His parents had gotten sick. His family was living with them on a farm. He got to go home and run the farm.

[@MarkTheMorose]

@@tomcrews8467 Thanks.

[@grybnyx]

Exact same experience of my father's- from Germany to Japan in a troop ship. The war ended and he got to see Japan before he came home. It was a great experience for a kid from Hell's Kitchen.

[@tomcrews8467]

chris younts why don’t you elaborate on that?

[@douglasruss2889]

Always informative !

[@danielwilson9405]

Mark this by far your best video and one most popular great work love it that your British as well !!! Like me 😊

[@Axemantitan]

There was a man who survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and was taken to a hospital in Nagasaki. He then survived the atomic bombing of Nagasaki. I don't know whether he was then taken to a hospital in Kokura.

[@TheRealLaughingGravy]

Probably retired to a quiet life in Fukushima.

[@donbrashsux]

Yes he was

[@dennis2376]

The only person to survive both bombings.

[@xandergeorge7078]

He later become son goku

[@robertmckeown3014]

The story I read, he was having tea with his aunt in Hiroshima when it was bombed. He later took the train to Nagasaki to be with his family when the second bomb dropped. He survived both and lived into the 21st century and died at 95 years old.

[@pattonpending7390]

My congrats on finding a picture of General Groves when he was smiling. I did not think such a thing existed.

[@BillHalliwell]

G'day Zero, I'm pretty sure I read somewhere Brig.Gen. Groves got his second star after the bomb worked! Best reason to smile the man probably ever had. He was desperate for a battle zone job when war broke out. He'd been a long time in the Army Engineers and had never seen a shot fired in anger. He deserved the promotion, just dealing with scientists would have been like trying to herd cats. Cheers, BH

[@edmundcharles5278]

Yeah- try to find one of Admiral King- I think only one of these photographs exists!

[@johnyrevenge6356]

Bill Halliwell My wife worked as an EA to scientist types in the past. Heading cats is very fair assessment.

[@deirdre108]

There could be an entire Netflix series on the relationship of Groves and Oppenheimer.

[@ammo8713]

EVEN HIS CHEWED-UP CIGAR THOUGHT HE WAS MEAN ! 👍😁🇺🇸

[@PisceanDreams-je6vo]

Damn!! The one Japanese guy lived in his bunker until the 1960s. They should make a movie about that.

[@guilhermegoncalves110]

What I like most about this channel is that Mark Felton, based on the historical events best known to the general public, brings the smallest details about the other minor associated events, like this failed coup d'etat in the imperial palace, under-the-hood negotiations and the people involved, somewhat forgotten by history. This undoubtedly shows the excellent research capacity that Mark Felton possesses, making him different from some mainstream historians, who assume that everything about WW2 is already known, simply regurgitating what has already been written. My sincere thanks to you, sir. Keep up with this excellent work, enriching our knowledge of history!

[@steadmanuhlich6734]

Excellent points Guilherme. Those details do prove more research, and Mark Felton's skill at weaving the story from many threads.

[@ulrikschackmeyer848]

I couldn't have said it better my self. (I'll probably try anyway. Mark deserves it.)

[@muttleycrew]

Mark never disappoints. By a mile this is the best factual and nuanced discussion on this emotive topic that I have ever heard.

[@3-DtimeCosmology]

100%

[@1rwjwith]

What a compelling video…great work.

[@chriswilson9331]

Fantastic video! I was never aware of a coup attempt.

[@trenbolone_user]

Japan:We will never surrender! USA:Understandable, have another

[@gottfriedwegemuller3223]

Underrated comment

[@rzr2ffe325]

XD

[@MIKE-TYTHON]

Gottfried Wegemüller will be rated in 15mins time it’s only been 4 minutes aha

[@taylorc2542]

Wrongthink on YT, censorship incoming.

[@g3tshotheett]

XD

[@chisolabaron395]

This is how many people think Mark Felton is better than the current History chanell ⬇

[@sellin_pennies]

Chisola Baron like beggar

[@thathistoryiscoolguy]

Like begger

[@Ilgenfixit80]

Col. Tibbets' of the 509th had a grandson in the USAF who was base commander of Whiteman AFB, home of the still active 509th Bomb Wing. Their uniform patches have the mushroom cloud as the only bomber group to drop a nuke. I sat next to him at church a few times, believe it or not. Very down to earth guy as I recall.

[@whirltech8031]

The closing question was very poignant. Decisions are easy to criticise in hindsight. Thank you for producing these and publishing them where they can be viewed for no cost. The greatest triumphs and tradgedies are found in the details so often glazed over by others in the name of brevity.

[@jamesburnett7085]

Mark Felton's programs set the standard for excellence. I appreciate the clarity and insightfulness of his analysis - just the right amount of detail to substantiate his conclusions, written in a style that makes him my favorite story teller. Bravo.

[@PhilLesh69]

Many Japanese armament were licensed versions of German weapons. Also, the japanese, Italian and Germans had a mutual defense treaty so when we declared war on Japan, Italy and Germany automatically declared war on us.

[@chouseification]

He really does, but like other British presenters will still frequently butcher the pronunciation of well known words. This is not OK, as despite the local pronunciation rules tending to turn words into mushmouth soup, when you say that word to somebody from anywhere else in the world, you must say it correctly - generally based upon how it is pronounced in the source language, but certainly using a global "accepted" pronunciation of some type, which the "Brit-lazy-rule" is most certainly NOT. I call this out, as his productions really are well done - which makes it even more jarring to hear him completely fail on the pronunciation of Sakhalin Island. There is only one way to say it, and he completely missed... Yanks notice that, and it's really painful to our ears. We're expected to say global words correctly, and so are you. :P

[@spvillano]

@@chouseification I wonder how painful to your ears it is when someone from Philly turns on the spiggot (how it gets pronounced) at the zinc (again, how sink gets pronounced) to fill a glass with worder. ;) Being from Philly, I can keep that one going for weeks. :P I'm fluent in American English and actual English, but still have no idea whatinhell they speak in Liverpool...

[@rblibit]

@@spvillano - since the early 60s they have been speaking Rock & Roll in Liverpool!

[@Dutch_Uncle]

Can Mark Fenton be put up for some type of public hono(u)r in view of his scholarship and contributions to public enlightenment? His work stands out like a beacon a sea of glitz, sleaze, and entertainment.

[@64maxpower]

I'd like to hear more of the story how just a few years later that everyone became friends

[@MarkFeltonProductions]

Political expediency after China went communist in October 1949.

[@kevanbaconofficial]

David Hollenshead while that’s all well and good, I don’t think the US made a huge strategic decision because a bunch of their soldiers had married Japanese women..

[@annoyed707]

@@MarkFeltonProductions Sure, Mark. Keep pretending it wasn't the threat of giant monsters.

[@64maxpower]

@@MarkFeltonProductions thank you

[@artawhirler]

Excellent video! Thanks!

[@docvideo93]

Based on the Japanese culture during the war, the high officials who called for surrender were probably the bravest people in the war. Because their actions, boosted with the Emperor's choice, my Grandad, serving at a Helldiver bomber gunner on the USS Wasp, was able to go home and 75 years later, allowed me to write this comment.

[@skychief399]

@docvideo93: I believe your total comment to be absolutely true. And had the coup d’état worked high officials in favor of surrender would have been quickly assassinated. My dad, a lieutenant, was taken off a loading troopship in San Francisco because he failed his deployment physical of the day before. He was given a medical discharge immediately. I believe that until the day he died he regretted the medical discharge. For you, and your family, I’m grateful your dad made it back home.

[@greydog7767]

100% agree. Dad was an Army cpl/medic in Philippines campaign and they were staging for Japan invasion when bombs were dropped and Japanese surrendered. The soldiers knew what was ahead and what they'd be facing, and he simply said when asked about the a-bomb use, 'thank God for Harry Truman...'

[@tonyclough9844]

I wouldnt be here if they hadnt surrendered My father was on a troop ship heading from Italy to fight Japan The casualties were 1.5 million dead and wounded this after 6 years of war he new that he wouldnt survive that invasion Luckey they turned round at Egypt and he got home in 1945

[@maconescotland8996]

Similarly, after Germany surrendered, my late father's AA battery was on a warning order to joinr British Army units deploying to the Far East for the possible invasion of Japan.

[@MothaLuva]

Don’t worry. If your granddad wouldn’t have made it, someone else would have written your comment.

[@drcaffeine1974]

As usual, Mark Felton explains using lucid, objective, and self-evident historical facts that cannot be denied. I have watched all of your excellent documentaries, recommend them on a regular basis, and thank you for making them.

[@BrettHar123]

Horseradish. The Japanese would have surrendered, it was the US that made an unreasonable demand about the Emperor. The US would still have been in total control, the question of the Emperor could have been worked out later. The entire episode was one of blatant human experimentation, and was designed as a warning to Stalin.

[@DavidSilva-fq7nt]

I didn't know this. Thank you.

[@adamrichardson6821]

Excellent presentation, as usual, by the good doctor. I had never heard President Truman's address regarding the dropping of the first bomb; that was fascinating in itself.

[@MSCH1954]

During those times, my My uncle was somewhere in a Japanese prison as a Prisoner of War. He was only 20 when Indian/British army surrendered to Japanese in Singapore in 1942. He returned home after the war ended but the torcher, atrocities, insults and hard labour of three years in Japanese prisoner camps destroyed his whole life. Although he lived more than 70 years but rest of his life was so painful and miserable. This is first time I have heard that Japanese had planned to kill all POWs if Allied forces had invaded Japan. Once again I have felt the fear of death and not going to home in the hearts of those young Indian/British soldiers.

[@stevenhandorf3145]

I once met a veteran who survived the atrocities at Corregidor in 1942. He owned a furniture store after the war and was a very serious but also kind and generous man. A relative of his told me about his background and said he never talked about his war experiences, for an obvious reason. Very sad. How remarkable that today Japan is one of our closest allies. May we never forget the past, but may we also never let it keep us shackled to hatred and vengeance.

[@rodbutler8069]

M S the movie "Unbroken" about POW Louis Zamperini tells a similar story of Japanese atrocities to POWs.

[@simplywonderful449]

Seeing the photos of the starved Allied POWs, reduced to skin and bone, is something more Americans should be aware of. While the treatment of POWs is expected to be humane, it's clear that Japan didn't see it that way when caring for Allies. It's hard to understand my father's generation and the difficulty they had to overcome when taking into account the maltreatment they suffered from at the hands of the Japanese. My dad was on a sub in WWII, and was not a POW, but was very aware of fellow soldiers and friends who were, and suffered the rest of their life for it.

[@toddac61]

@@simplywonderful449 Saw a few weeks ago a History show on TV (forgot what island) but they found a US marine with his head chopped off and placed on his chest and his penis cut off and placed in his mouth. That is what we were dealing with!

[@jessicaarmentrout1893]

The Japanese had been convinced that if they failed they would face a worse fate than the allied POW's they held. I read that many jumped to their deaths on Okinawa rather than face capture by Allied forces. I know my paternal grandfather lived into his eighties and never forgave the Japanese for things he experienced, but talked about little. Fortunately many Japanese didn't think what their officers were doing was moral and when captured they provided key testimony to war crimes for which a number of Japanese officers were tried and hanged on Guam after the war. As bad as Allied Forces as POW's had it, the civilians in Korea and China fared worse. The book "Flyboys" is an excellent historical account of the political, cultural, and military actions taken by both sides in the Pacific Theater.

[@markm.991]

This is the most accurate and balanced presentation of the events surrounding the use of the Atomic bombs that I have ever found. When I was working on my History Degree, I found out for the first time by doing my own research about the attempted coup to place the Emperor under "house arrest" so as to stop the surrender. What a shock that was as someone who had been an avid student of WW2 history before I pursued my degree. I have read so many modern take on the use of the Atomic bomb and yet never before even a hint of this coup going on behind the scenes. Such an important factor in understanding the necessity of the use of the Bomb and of Russia entering the war with Japan. Thank you for this Mark Felton Productions.

[@spvillano]

Odd, as that was readily apparent in all of my reading on the subject of Japan's surrender. The emperor wanted to surrender, but needed an excuse and used the atomic bombings for the civilian populace and the Russian declaration of war for the military. I'm certain he recognized that our inevitable victory would've turned Pyrrhic in fact if we had to engage in Operation Downfall and wanted to avoid that at nearly all costs. Just as the unconditional surrender was agreed to upon the condition that the emperor's throne was retained and we readily agreed.

[@pastormarkm]

@@spvillano The part that I had never heard mentioned before was the attempted Coup to stop the surrender even after the Bombs and the Russian declaration of war.

[@1943maryellen]

@@pastormarkmI too never read about the Coup, & the third Bomb, very Interesting .

[@MJ-kd7dp]

😐

[@timisaac8121]

So true brother Mark M. I feel much the same. It is like showing up for class and realizing everyone else read the prerequisites except you.

[@censortube3778]

Before the recent Oppenheimer movie, there was a Paul Newman/Dwight schultz movie from 1989 called 'Fat man and little boy'. In this movie Schultz, playing Oppenheimer says something to the effect that 'dropping the bomb was always implied by this project'. Whether or not that was really said, I thought the line capsuled the situation very well

[@steveolive9991]

From what I have read, once Russia declared war on Japan in August 1945, Japan realized that it could not win a two-front war.

[@jacobschwindt9094]

Why would Japan want the same fate as the rape of Berlin? Atomic bombs were unnecessary, murderous atrocities

[@nealswanson8684]

yep, the evidence for these alleged "atomic bombs" is shady at best.

[@jimwerther]

@Steve Olive That's what the Russians want people to believe. But the nukes mattered a lot more to the Japanese than the Soviets did. The Soviets were quite weak at that point. Remember, they couldn't even defend their own country against the German assault from far away. Only the winter stopped that.

[@user-qr7ee2cp4y]

Once Russia declared war, the U.S. knew they had to end things quick because like in Europe, they knew any land Stalin took, he wasn't giving back.

[@jimmyw7291]

If the Japanese were unwilling to surrender to the United States at any cost. Why would the Japanese be afraid of the Russians invading. They would then be fighting for separate countries at that point which would have included the United States Great Britain China and Russia. I don't think the Japs were worried about the Russians in my opinion

[@elhijodelchupacabra]

Today, August 9, I visited the USAF museum in Dayton OH and stopped at the B29 Bockscar exhibition. The silence, the dimmed lights, the pictures and artifacts and thinking that exactly 75 years ago that very same plane dropped the bomb in Nagasaki just gave me the chills.

[@ulrikschackmeyer848]

Well, IMHO, if it doesnt you're not HUMAN. So good for you, Sir.

[@ElsinoreRacer]

I live nearby and have visited countless times over the many years. Until not too many years ago there were no ropes around Bockscar. She just sat there with a with a shallow 6' x 4' pan under each engine filled with kitty litter to catch the oil drips. We once had a German exchange student stay with us and I took her.... "You know the plane that dropped the 2nd atom bomb? You know, the plane that ended World War 2?" "Yes.." "You are standing under it." It IS kind of staggering.

[@wyvernquill2796]

On my last vacation about 11 months ago (Three Months, 5000 Miles, 100 thrift stores, 50 Museums and 20 parks) I was in Wendover Utah (10 feet east of Wendover Nevada) ware the 509th Composite Group, the B-29 unit that carried out the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki trained. The air base is now a small airport and they have a museum about the ww2 in the old flight control and offers club buildings, a few blocks away the OG Enola Gay hangar is being restored and then the museum will be moved or expanded into the hanger. I cant remember if they want to get the real Enola gay or a just a another B29. Despite the air planes on the flyer they only had one plane on display, the gutted cargo plane used in the movie Con Air was parked outside the office

[@BingBangBye]

@@wyvernquill2796 There's no way they'll get the Enola Gay. It's currently on display at the National Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Harzy center in Virginia, and it seems pretty unlikely that they'd move it from such a tourist magnet to a place like Wendover.

[@karstenburger9031]

From Berlin: I would like to note that the so called 'morale bombing' of Germany during WWII did not cause a revolution and overturning of the Nazi regime, but instead made the civilians even more depending on the government, since all aids were distributed by Nazi organisation. Also the German bombardment of Great Britain did not cause the British to give up but instead hardened their will .

[@jeffreykershner440]

I hope the world learned that mass bombing civilian targets does nothing to help the war effort. It was a lot trickier in Japan since their industrial and military areas were intertwined with civilian areas.

[@currentbatches6205]

Most all recent histories of WWII point out the futility of 'morale bombing', but it worked on the only guy who counted in Japan.

[@russyeatman5631]

I agree with Mr. Grahammer. Read a biography of Air Marshal "Bomber " Harris. So called "morale bombing" was retaliation for the blitz and for V1 and V2 rockets.

[@skie6282]

So your saying if surrender wasnt made, the bombing of japan would have continued until they stopped existing

[@russyeatman5631]

No. Did not say that. Saying that Allied High Command sought to find a way to end the war with minimal loss of life. I think most of the leaders, political and military on the Allied side were by 1945, horrified by the loss of life to date. I am sure there were exceptions because malignant narcissists are in all cultures and countries. And rise to positions of power.

[@CharlieTechie]

Very informative, didn’t know about the third bomb or the complexity of the Japanese surrender issues.

[@jmsjms2735]

Wow!! In 77 years of mine, I have heard many versions. None of them as lucid, factual and impartial as this one. So I must thank you for the job well done. Tgank you

[@mattb7069]

Mark’s videos are always far more insightful than anything the History Channel can manage to cobble together.

[@suprdez3617]

Agree, the history channel should pick him up and make him his own series doing 30 minute videos. History channel would gain more views and Mark would get a butt load of money and even more ability to find information.

[@Sutterjack]

Totally agree - my brain is overloaded with historical information after watching one of his videos

[@moodist1er]

Disney owns the history Channel and they're highly invested in manipulating your perception of reality in service of elites.

[@df5295]

The History Channel has turned into reality TV garbage!

[@brucecaldwell6701]

The History channel is not about conveying history, it's about advertising and luring in people stupid enough to be the mindless consumers that they are. Unfortunately, most people don't give a damn about history, they'd rather be entertained.

[@supersami7748]

Fantastic summary, there are untold millions of people here in the states that don’t know (or care) about the facts that you brought up in this presentation. I suspect that the numbers worldwide are 10-20 times that number if not more.

[@fjb4932]

A Liberal was once asked "What is it with you people, is it ignorance or just apathy ?" He replied " I don't know ... and i don't care."

[@Ndlanding]

@Herman Greenfield Perhaps your acerbic riposte should be directed at someone. Who is "you"? Anyway, anyone called "Herman" is a dodgy bet.

[@electrichellion5946]

Glad I’m not one of them. This is interesting as h e double toothpicks.

[@DazedandInsane]

Libs don't care about history

[@Cailus3542]

Robert Adams And if you fall into that mindset of “all liberals are evil brainwashed idiots don’t care about history”, you need to start using your brain rather than let people tell you what to think.

[@craigstergriffin2097]

Thanks! Excellent information.