Potsdam Conference conclusion

Potsdam Conference, July-August 1945. President Harry S. Truman introducing his driver, Private First Class Warren E. Baker to Secretary of State James F. Byrnes, both from the same home town. President Truman had been inspecting the 3Rd Armored Division near Frankfurt, Germany. Photographed by CPhoM William Belknap Jr., released July 26, 1945. Official U.S. Navy Photograph,
26 July, the same day that Clement Attlee defeated Winston Churchill in the election for Prime Minister, the Potsdam Declaration was sent to the enemy. The exact wording of this document made it unthinkable for Japan to accept. Once again, the lack of understanding for a foreign culture would hinder the road to peace.
Keep in mind, while still at sea on the ‘Augusta,’ Byrnes had received a message from Sweden stating that Japanese Major Gen. Makoto Onodera, having authorization from the Emperor, wished to enter into peace negotiations. The only stipulation being that the Emperor remain in power.
By this time, Prince Konoye had spent two years laboring to uncover a route to peace. The prince had had the correct procedure all along, but mistakenly had chosen the Soviet Union as the go-between. Stalin had his own agenda in mind for the Japanese and their territories and therefore he deceitfully strung the envoys along with various delaying tactics. OSS Allen Dulles, who assisted in negotiations when Italy fell, was working on the same premise in Switzerland.
Nevertheless, as spring turned to summer, militarists in Japan continued to plan for Operation Decision (Ketsu-Go) and ignored their government’s attempts for peace. Disregarding Japan’s concern for their Emperor, the Potsdam Declaration was considered by Premier Suzuki and the military to be a re-hashing of the Cairo Declaration which deemed it to be marked as “mokusatsu” (‘ignore entirely’ or ‘regard as unworthy of notice’)
In regards to the A-bomb, Secretary of War, Stimson and his assistant, John McCloy, told Truman, “We should all have our heads examined if we don’t try to find a political solution.” Truman laughed.
_____________________________________________________________
So many maneuvers, conversations and secrets go on behind the main headlines, but here is one story I hope you take the time to click and read. This obituary was in “The Week” news-magazine and I could not resist including it here. Could any of us do this job today?
Resources: U.S. Department of State, Office of the Historian; “The Week” magazine; “The Last Great Victory” by Stanley Weintraub; University of Virginia, Miller Center.
_____________________________________________________________
Note of interest – 17 July 1945, kamikaze units were no longer voluntary.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
United States Air Force celebrates 75 years !!! 18 September 1947
#############################################################################
Military Humor (actually political, haha) –
###########################################################################
Farewell Salutes –
Geraldine (Ingold) Able – Mogadore, OH; Civilian, WWII, Akron Tire life belts
Duane E. Acker – Rittman, OH; US Army, 3rd Armored/11th Airborne Division
Robert P. Bixby (101) – Apache Junction, AZ; US Army, WWII
Ben Carpenter – Waco, NC; US Navy, WWII
James B. Gallinatti – Lakewood, WA; US Army, Lt., 11th Airborne Division
David E. Grange Jr. – Lake Ronkonkoma, NY; US Army Air Corps; WWII, ETO, 517/82nd A/B Div. / Korea, US Army, 2nd Lt. 187th RCT / Vietnam, 506th Infantry Reg & 101st A/B Division, Lt. General (Ret. 41 Years)
Fred Hedges – Atlanta, GA; US Army, WWII, ETO, 20th Armored Division
Eli Johnson – Jetts Creek, KY; USMC, WWII
Paul J. Manning – Rochester, VT; USMC, WWII, PTO, Purple Heart
George Nashen (100) – brn: Kishinev, ROM; RC Air Force, WWII, ETO, Sgt.
#############################################################################
Posted on September 19, 2022, in Uncategorized, WWII and tagged 1940's, A-Bomb, Air Force, History, Military, Military History, Pacific War, Potsdam Conference, USA, WW2, WWII. Bookmark the permalink. 116 Comments.
https://purebeautyofworld.wordpress.com/home/
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am caught up now, GP. A good afternoon of reading!
Much does go on behind the scenes. Many things go into the “we’ll never know for sure” category. Thanks for posting Hornig’s obituary. Here is he Wikipedia article I found on him.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Hornig
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you very much for including it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the reminder on this, GP! Bomb or not to bomb, seems to be the question again. ;-/ I hope you enjoy your weekend, and you will have a great new week! xx Michael
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Michael. I do hope you have a good one as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, GP! 🙂 xx Michael
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Michael.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you.
LikeLike
Maneuvers, conversations and secrets behind the scene- so true.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Jennie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, GP.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi G
Interesting here – esp the kamikazes not being voluntary
–
And this opening part stood out
“lack of understanding for a foreign culture would hinder the road to peace”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. Makes one realize that we haven’t changed all that much over the years.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh and thought of you when I read this story the other day
https://www.foxnews.com/us/pearl-harbor-sailor-buried-arlington-national-cemetery-more-80-years-death
LikeLike
Thank you, Yvette. I tried to keep up with the DPAA as they identified those sailors and included them in the Salutes. They died a death I can not imagine and hope they now sleep in peace. I appreciate you thinking of me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes’ I cannot imagine either man’s my dad carried some heaviness from petal harbor for all of his life
–
Kind of way some folks carry much heaviness from 911
LikeLiked by 1 person
Every generation seems to have one day that stands out – Remember the Maine, Remember the Alamo, etc, etc.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a great point – and sad in a way / that we humans have these huge destructive events –
But part of life
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sad but true.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Also – I did a recent interview with blogger Brian from equinoxio blog – and your blog blame up with his replies –
No hurry to come over and read the post – but I just added a link in case anyone wanted to click it from his post.
–
And he noted that he likes your mission and how you use your blog to “show what was and is”
Something like that –
Anyhow – made me smile to see your blog come back into he replies –
Reminded me how vast your readership is!!
☀️😊🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
It appeared here as a link to mine and I had trouble figuring out whose site I was on. Your interview went well and I appreciate him finding me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry if it was confusing in any way!
And thanks for making a visit
Have a good day G
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had a good visit !!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful and hope your week is going well
LikeLiked by 1 person
Staying from Hurricane Ian.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes – praying for the entire state of FL
And we should get some of the rain and wind on the weekend
LikeLiked by 1 person
We had a tornado hit about 2 miles away, but we are in a clear pocket now. Thank you for your concern.
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks for the update !
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hope I don’t jinx us, but we’ve been very lucky, our area seems to be in a safe ‘pocket’ zone.
LikeLiked by 1 person
THAT IS A GREAT TO BE IN A SAFE POCKET
LikeLiked by 1 person
Right you are! I hate to be in the heat every summer, now that I’m old, but I can’t beat our results to natural disasters anywhere else!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ik denk dat nu ook nog het gebrek aan begrip voor een” vreemde cultuur” de weg naar vrede kan belemmeren
LikeLiked by 1 person
Je hebt helemaal gelijk, Mary Lou. We lijken niet te leren van onze fouten.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There is a myth that the Japanese “mokusatsu” has conflicting translations, and that the US translator chose the wrong one. That is, as Mr. Gusuda (“Lucky Come Hawaii”) would say, “borosheetu.” Both the US and Japanese linguists came up with the same translation, i.e., “ignore.” The full story, including the exact context in which mokusatsu was used, is found here:
Click to access esnbu.21.1.6.pdf
Also, the Allied ultimatum in July of 1945 promised “prompt and utter destruction” if the ultimatum was not accepted. But no. The atomic bombs didn’t fall “promptly.” If Japan’s intent was merely silence, they had nine days in which to break their “silence.” They could have sent word via any of several open diplomatic channels that the ultimatum was still under favorable consideration. The military government did nothing; the translation was accurate.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for contributing here. Looking back with 2022 eyes, many things could have been different, but remember it was 1945 and the military government ruled the country just as the Nazis did in Germany.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That cartoon is meaningful today as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Right you are, Dolly. It’s that old saying, “The more things change, the more they stay the same.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, and to quote King Solomon, “There is nothing new under the sun and moon.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true, Dolly. The more we change – the more we stay the same.
LikeLiked by 1 person
oops, I went and repeated myself, eh? Feel free to delete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No problem, my friend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Let’s see. Babysit a bomb, or advise Lyndon Johnson — which would be more anxiety-producing? Today, the choice would be easy, but before the detonation, no one knew what that ‘can of worms’ would involve.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think I would have chosen the bomb over talking to Lyndon Johnson. I don’t think I could hold my temper, even in the White House.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for this further enlightenment, GP
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Derrick.
LikeLike
Thanks, Derrick.
LikeLike
I didn’t know that the Japanese were trying to negotiate a peace.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Every country has its Hawks and Doves. Sadly the Hawks had full reign of the military.
LikeLiked by 1 person
More’s the pity, for sure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on John Cowgill's Literature Site.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
YOU are very welcome.
LikeLike
Peggy and I have been near the site of the first atomic bomb explosion several times, G. And we always stop to remember and think about the consequences. The first time I was there was when I was riding my bike around North America. Shortly afterwards you come to the locations where Smokey the Bear was rescued and Billy the Kid fought in the Lincoln County Wars. Right after that your come to Roswell of UFO fame. It’s an interesting area. –Curt
LikeLiked by 1 person
It sure sounds that way! I never realized, and I even did a post on Smokey!
https://pacificparatrooper.wordpress.com/2019/08/26/fear-brought-rise-to-an-icon-smokey/
LikeLike
Great article on Smokey, G. I hadn’t known about the tie in with the fear of Japans efforts during WWII.
There is an historical experimental forest in North Carolina that Peggy and I visited that has much of the original Smokey art work. Also, Smokey’s grave is in Lincoln County. Bone sat on top of boulder monument marker and had quite a bone to bone conversation. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
haha, I love the adventures of Bone. I hope you understand why he overshadows you!!
LikeLike
I know, what can I say. Smokey certainly didn’t talk to me from his grave. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yes he did . I’ll bet you never started a forest fire. (You were always very careful to protect your home from the wildfires.)
LikeLike
❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was a time of amazing ingenuity. Thanks for this post, GP. Hugs on the wing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for coming by, Teagan!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Everyone seems to have an agenda that will benefit them when they are talking plans of cooperation with another country or maybe with another individual. Hornig had to have a sense of adventure to have taken an unknown job.
LikeLiked by 1 person
When we’re young, we think we’re invincible, so why not take on any job that will pay you? What a way to fame, eh?
LikeLike
Just once, I would have liked to have gotten a job offer from someone where they wouldn’t tell me what the job actually is. I think that would be a very interesting scenario to see played out. That’s just wild.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good for you. I would have thought they were having me do something illegal. That would just be my luck! haha
LikeLiked by 2 people
I suspect that the Japanese hardliners wuld have scuppered any peace initiative.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They would have tried, but once the Emperor knew the facts and spoke to the citizens, they had no choice.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It seems we backed ourselves into a corner with the declarations from Casablanca, Cairo and Potsdam Conferences and maybe anti-Emperor and anti-Japanese popular sentiment stirred up during the war. Taken literally, “unconditional surrender” made using A-bombs or invading the home islands virtually inevitable.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Alot could have been avoided ( IMO ), if the politicians had answered Japan’s call for peace before the first bomb dropped.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for shedding light on that missed opportunity. Negotiations should have been explored. Separately, I agree with the sentiments about politicians except I think they are very smart. Smart in the sense that they know how to benefit themselves by masterfully manipulating the people they should be serving.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent comment, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I did try to read the newspaper clipping but on my computer it just came out as tiny, in a format which didn’t allow the option of enlarging it.
One sticking point about peace with Japan, was, supposedly, the British, Australians and New Zealanders who wanted him put on trial as a war criminal. The problem was the enormous number of POWs who were murdered in the camps or starved to death by the Japanese armed forces between 1942-1945. I am no expert on the Far East though, and I do not know if this really was the case although the argument itself, for me, might well be a valid one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
For the horrific treatment of POWs and any disgraceful act by the troops, they should have been calling for Tojo’s head. Him and his cohorts ruled the country and controlled the citizens.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Go. Many of my Families were Prisoners of war. Most suffered brutal deaths. We will never forget the carnage of human life. So much human suffering between Brothers and Sisters on Earth 🌐 When will men learn? Today War goes on. Man’s ego shines as he believes his coffers will be lined in gold and power! Little does he comprehend his body will rot in a void 🕳️ like his mates. No one gets out of life ” alive.” GP, we salute you for gathering together concurrently past suffering or War. One day a fool will blow the earth up. Tears 😭
LikeLike
Sadly, I fear you are right.
LikeLike
An excellent story about Donald Horning. Choosing Stalin as a go between to peace was a definate mistake. You gotta wonder where were all the Japanese experts were when the Potsdam Declairation was being drawn up.Seems letting the Emperior stay in place wouldn’t be a big thing. Thats what was done ain the end anyway. Great report, GP.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, John. The politicians always believe they know best. Do you think they would have actually listened to an Asian expert?
LikeLiked by 2 people
They probably wouldn’t listen to an Asian expert
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s what I thought.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I could not read the page, as the print was too small when I clicked on the image.
I have often wondered whether or not the A-bombs were dropped because they had them and wanted to use them, or if a peaceful solution could have been found. After a lifetime of reading about the war and the Japanese, and listening to the stories of family members and friends who were prisoners of the Japanese military, I conclude that they would have fought an invasion or occupation, whatever the diplomatic outcome. So the bombs were necessary, in my personal opinion.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for adding your opinion to the post. It is amazing how many different thoughts have been added to this blog on that subject.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That “lack of understanding for a foreign culture would hinder the road to peace” never seems to change, does it. Didn’t know there was a code talker monument. Well deserved.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Politicians always seem to think they know what’s best (or they try to bluff us into believing they do).
Ah, yes, I have to agree – we can never stop honoring the code talkers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Dave Does History*.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you, Dave.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Never knew this: Keep in mind, while still at sea on the ‘Augusta,’ Byrnes had received a message from Sweden stating that Japanese Major Gen. Makoto Onodera, having authorization from the Emperor, wished to enter into peace negotiations. The only stipulation being that the Emperor remain in power. This could have been a game changer. Thanks to MacArthur for recognizing that keeping the Emperor was so very important to the Japanese.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Having spent so much time in the Pacific, he understood the Asian cultures and traditions. Politicians would have been smart to listen to him in earlier days.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Smart and politicians are still not often combined in the same sentence (80 years later.) Sensible is another word not not usually applied to pols.
LikeLiked by 3 people
hahaha, you do speak the truth!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
😉
LikeLiked by 2 people
Akron Tire life belts? That “babysitting job” and his reaction!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many companies had to revamp their factories to support the war effort, Akron Tire was one…

Akron Rubber, WWII
LikeLiked by 2 people
Because of missing aircraft reports, I knew about retooling efforts, but I’d never thought about needing life belts.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It takes an army to keep one soldier at the front and we would never have won that war without the support of the home front. Unity and working as one is what we sorely miss today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Perhaps they should have had their collective heads examined.
Spending the night in the tower with that bomb must have been an odd assignment.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for taking the time to read that story, Dan. haha, right you are – can you just imagine?!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for sharing. Imagine sitting with that “unit” through a lightening storm! …There are so many “histories” of how the war came to a close, this certainly clarifies a lot regarding Potsdam. The most frequent solution in our history books was the atom bomb, which did play a role, though once the Russians entered the war in the east the solution the Japanese wanted was to surrender to the US.
LikeLiked by 3 people
The worst Japan could think of would be the Russians stomping through their country as the first conquerors in 2000 years to step foot on their land!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
In diplomacy and other matters, mindful wording really does matter.
LikeLiked by 3 people
We were still a young nation when it came to détente.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed. The US has done some maturing through much trial and error since then.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hopefully.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I read the Donald Hornig obituary with interest.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for taking the Salutes to heart, Michael.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Ned.
LikeLike
Thank you.
LikeLike
Thank you.
LikeLike
Thank you, Nelsapy.
LikeLike
Pingback: Potsdam Conference conclusion – Nelsapy
Pingback: Potsdam Conference conclusion – Education
Pingback: Potsdam Conference conclusion – Great Feeling
Pingback: Potsdam Conference conclusion | Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News