Teddy Roosevelt
For centuries Asian products were desired, but one of the most profitable trade routes operated from India to China, introducing opium into that country. This market accounted for 20% of the British Empire’s revenue and was the basis of the Roosevelt family wealth.
Teddy Roosevelt, an aristocrat, was taught thru his youth and at Harvard, of Aryan supremacy in government and intellect. Columbia University professor John Burgess impressed him with white American world domination. With this ideology, he followed the European nations in absorbing colonies. He pushed for control of the Philippines where the American behavior was deplorable, but overlooked.
The U.S. Minister to Japan, DeLong, encouraged “General” Charles LeGendre to go to Japan and instruct them on invasion tactics and instigate his “Monroe Doctrine” for Asia. (Three decades later it would be known as the Greater East Asia Co-prosperity Sphere of WWII). When Japan invaded Manchuria, Roosevelt said, “I was thoroughly pleased with the Japanese victory for Japan is playing our game.” Although U.S. advisors assured Korea that America was their “Elder Brother,” in 1905 Roosevelt closed the embassy and said, “I should like to see Japan have Korea.” The Nobel prize committee did not know of his secret meetings with Japan during the Russo-Japanese War and gave him the Peace prize anyway.
Roosevelt had not only opened the door for Japan to conquer neighboring nations, he gave them the ideal instructor and plans to do it with. For detailed information see: The Imperial Cruise, by James Bradley.
“The Imperial Cruise” by: James Bradley
If Congress discovered he had also sent pilots to Britain, Roosevelt said, “I will be impeached.”
Being that Japan found it necessary to import food, fuel and American plane parts, here was the edge that FDR needed to coax the U.S. public into war. When Germany failed to declare war, he froze Japan’s assets on July 26, 1941. Relations between Japan and the ABCD countries had basically reached a point of no return. The New York Times newspaper called this action, “…the most drastic blow short of war.”
The ABCD powers (American, British, Chinese & Dutch) followed suit and this became a choke chain around Japan’s neck which FDR jerked as he saw fit until Pearl Harbor exploded into a scene of destruction. This action not only got the U.S. into the war, but FDR made certain that the major effort would be to assist his friend Winston Churchill – not the Pacific.
FDR campaigning in Warms Springs, GA, 4 April 1939
For a more detailed look into the world that led into WWII, I have a 3-part ‘East/West series’ that starts here…
https://pacificparatrooper.wordpress.com/2014/07/10/east-and-west-1/
FDR cabled Philippine President, Manuel Quezon, “I can assure you that every vessel available is bearing the strength that will eventually crush the enemy… I give to the people of the Philippines my solemn pledge that their freedom will be retained… The entire resources in men and materials of the U.S. stand behind that pledge.”
Gen. George Marshall, FDR’s Army Chief of Staff, radioed MacArthur: ‘A stream of 4-engine bombers, previously delayed by foul weather, is enroute…Another stream of similar bombers started today from Hawaii…”
################################################################################################################
################################################################################################################
Patricia Adams – Fitchburg, MA; Civilian, WWII, Civil Corps, plane spotter
Joseph Bange – Dayton, OH; US Army, WWII, ETO, Signal Corps
Robert Benden (101) – Brooklyn, NY; US Army, WWII, ETO, x-ray technician
Michael Glockler Sr. – Chicago, IL; US Army, Vietnam, Co. B/2/505/82nd Airborne Division, Bronze Star
Wilton Jackson (100) – Little River, TX; US Army Air Corps, WWII, ETO, Captain, 17th Bomb Group
Emil J. Kapaun – Pilsen, KS; US Army, Korea, Chaplain, 3/8/1st Cavalry Division, POW, Medal of Honor, KIA (Chinese Camp 5)
Frank Lopez – East Lost Angeles, CA; US Navy, WWII, PTO, aircraft maintenance
Kenneth “Rock” Merritt – Warner, OK; US Army Air Corps, WWII, ETO, Sgt. Major, 82nd Airborne Division / Korea & Vietnam, Silver Star, (Ret. 35 y.)
Robert Renner – Wautoma, WI; US Army Air Corps, Japanese Occupation / US Army, Korea, 187th RCT
John Garvis Smith – Winston-Salem, NC; US Navy, WWII, USS Southerland
########################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################
Jul 6
This gallery contains 7 photos.
Originally posted on henryhogh:
? Every year, thousands of people gather on July 4th for a celebrating at Rebild Bakker in Denmark to celebrate United States National Day. Rebild National Park Society writes on their homepage: We have been told that the 4th of July celebration in Denmark is the largest outside the USA. We…
This subject is still a topic of debate, even to this day. Please watch these 2 videos before giving me your opinion. Thank You.
################################################################################################################
No one warned me that when you read this book – you must be prepared to join the family.
Reading Leora’s Letters, you do not merely become acquainted with this close-knit, hard-working family – you become one of them. In this tumultuous period of our history, you are transported into the heartland’s home front and the different areas of combat of that age. You can understand their dreams and hopes; feel their anguish, trepidation and heartaches and you pull for each member of that family to succeed just as you do for your own loved ones.
One need not be a WWII buff or knowledgeable of military operations to comprehend the Wilson brothers’ correspondences. You need not be familiar with Iowa in the 1940’s to grasp the emotions and hardships they endured.
This non-fiction experience will not disappoint – and don’t take MY word for that!! After reading it, I researched the opinion of other readers and it has a solid 5-Star rating!! Click HERE or the link above to purchase this treasure or click on Joy’s name above to reach her website.
###############################################################################################################
###############################################################################################################
Barbara Barnett – Chappaqua, NY; US Army WAC, WWII, nurse
Calvin Beazley – Chesterfield, VA; US Army, WWII, SSgt.,1151st Engineer Combat Group ? Korea
Cecil Crookshanks – Rainelle, WV; US Navy, WWII, Korea & Vietnam (Ret.)
Theodore Fibison (100) – Syracuse, NY; US Army Air Corps, WWII, pilot, Flight Instructor
Don Howison – Bradenton, FL; US Navy, WWII, PTO, The last officer of the USS Indianapolis to take his final voyage.
Margaret Madden – Berlin, MD; US Navy WAVES, WWII
Colin G. Parry – Hamilton, NZ; RNZ Air Force # 432370, WWII
Wallace Ramos Jr. – Honey Grove, TX; US Navy, WWII / Korea, Chief Petty Officer (Ret.)
Arthur B. Summers – Poplar, MT; USMC, WWII, PTO, Gunnery Sgt., KIA (Tarawa)
LLoyd R. Timm – Kellogg, MN; US Navy, WWII, PTO, Seaman 2nd Class, USS Oklahoma, KIA (Pearl Harbor)
##############################################################################################
L:Japanese ambassador Kintomo Mushakoji and foreign minister of Nazi Germany Joachim von Ribbentrop sign the Anti-Comintern Pact in 1936.R: Matsuoka with Generalfeldmarschall Wilhelm Keitel (centre) and ambassador Heinrich Georg Stahmer (right) at a reception in the Japanese embassy in Berlin on 29 March 1941
Alliances during a war can change the outcome, but the alliance between Japan and Germany is one that baffles many people. Most people can understand why Japan went to war with America, but why did the Imperial nation join forces with Nazi Germany? To understand the Tripartite Pact which created the Axis Powers, a look further back in history is needed.
Both Germany and Imperial Japan arrived on the international stage in the mid-1800s. Japan was forced out of isolation and started rapid westernization in 1854. Germany had been a number of city-states before Prussia won the Franco-Prussian war and united all of them in 1871.
A Japanese lithograph depicting Japan’s troops attacking the German colony of Tsingtao in 1914
Before Germany became a country of its own, Prussia and a newly open Japan had a very friendly relationship. Prussia had been going through a modernization effort with the speed and efficiency that the Germans are known for. This led Japan to view them as a good role model, as Japan wanted to modernize in a similarly effective manner.
To this end, Japan hired many Prussian and German advisers to help them with modernization. These advisers brought the militaristic approach to modernization which worked in Prussia, and later Germany, to Japan.
As German ambassador in Tokyo from 1920 to 1928, Wilhelm Solf initiated the re-establishment of good German–Japanese relations. Bundesarchiv,
However, this cozy relationship ended when both nations decided to follow the other major powers and look for colonies.
The problem that Germany faced with its colonization efforts was the fact that the Age of Exploration was coming to an end.
The other major powers of the time had been colonizing the world for years, so all the areas Germany would have considered first were already colonized. This led Germany to turn east and start colonizing different areas of Asia. At the same time, Japan was also looking for colonies and saw their best options in East Asia. This was the same area the Germans were operating in and led to a cooling of the relationship between these nations.
“Good friends in three countries”: Japanese propaganda poster from 1938 promoting the cooperation between Japan, Germany and Italy
Japan also started to become friendly with Great Britain at this time, which would affect the relationship between Japan and Germany during World War I.
When WWI broke out in 1914, Japan allied with Britain. After the Allies won the war, Japan was quick to take over the former German colonies in Asia.
While this would normally sour relationships between countries, Japan and Germany’s friendship would reignite in the post-WWI world.
Japanese foreign minister Yōsuke Matsuoka visits Adolf Hitler in Berlin in late March 1941.
After the war, Germany was not in a good place and was forced to sign an incredibly harsh treaty by the Allied Powers. This led to the crash of the government and economy as well as the rise of the Nazi Party.
In addition, the newly formed League of Nations was unpopular in Germany, and Japan was not a fan of it either.
The League of Nations was not very fair to Japan. Japan would often be punished by the league for its actions against its neighbors.
This sowed the seeds of discontent because the leaders of the League, France and Great Britain, often conducted the same actions against their own colonies. This hypocrisy would lead to Japan withdrawing from the League of Nations.
Adolf Hitler declares war on the United States on 11 December 1941 in the wake of Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor.
As the Nazi Party gained power, Hitler created strong ties with China. However, he changed course and started to view Japan as a more strategic partner in Asia. For its part, Japan wanted to continue expanding, and saw rebuilding its relationship with Germany as beneficial to this goal.
The renewed relationship between Japan and Germany was still fragile when WWII broke out. In the early stages of the war, Japan was strongly allied with Germany, but not involved militarily in the war.
The I-8 arriving in Brest, France, in 1943, on a “Yanagi” mission to exchange material and personnel with Nazi Germany
Their relationship was one of mutual benefit rather than a complete alliance, since Japan was more focused on exerting its influence in East Asia.
The true alliance of Japan and Germany would only come about when Japan entered the war. When Japan attacked Pearl Harbor and other American bases, it led to America declaring war on the Imperial nation.
Rear Admiral Jisaku Uozumi signs the surrender of Penang aboard the battleship HMS Nelson on 2 September 1945. He fainted shortly afterwards and was rushed to hospital. Note the Distinguished Service Cross ribbon on Uozumi’s uniform, which he had earned from the British during the alliance
In response, Germany declared war on America, and thus further strengthened their relationship with Japan. The Tripartite Pact created the Axis Powers, allying Germany, Japan, Italy and a number of smaller countries.
The alliance between Japan and Germany during WWII may seem strange and an odd pairing which did not yield much in terms of results.
Click on images to enlarge.
#############################################################################################
#############################################################################################
Andrew Benjock – Pittsburgh, PA; USMC, WWII, PTO/CBI, Korea, radioman, Master Gunnery Sgt. (Ret. 31 y.)
Allan Brown – Toronto, CAN; RC Air Force, WWII
Dan Darden – Montgomery, AL; US Army Air Corps, WWII
Ralph Esposito – Mahopac, NY; US Coast Guard, WWII
Margaret Fish – CA; US Women’s Marine Corps, WWII
Murphy Neal Jones Sr. – Baton Rouge, LA; US Air Force, Vietnam, POW (6½ y., Hanoi Hilton)
Fred Knodle – Cincinnati, OH; US Army Air Corps, WWII, 187/11th Airborne Division, Medical unit
Robert Messel – Vincennes, IN; US Army Air Corps, WWII, West Point grad
Jack O’Neil – North Haven, CT; US Army, WWII & Korea, Chief Warrant Officer 4
Jocelyn Todd – Aiken, SC; US Army WAC, WWII
############################################################################################
Churchill – Truman – Stalin
From: The Harry S. Truman Library and Museum
Entry:
25 Jul 1945
We met at 11 A.M. today. [That is Stalin, Churchill and the U.S. President. Clement Attlee was also there.] But I had a most important session with Lord Mountbatten & General Marshall before that. We have discovered the most terrible bomb in the history of the world. It may be the fire destruction prophesied in the Euphrates Valley Era, after Noah and his fabulous Ark.
Anyway we think we have found the way to cause a disintegration of the atom. An experiment in the New Mexican desert was startling – to put it mildly. Thirteen pounds of the explosive caused the complete disintegration of a steel tower 60 feet high, created a crater 6 feet deep and 1200 feet in diameter, knocked over a steel tower 1/2 mile away and knocked men down 10,000 yards away. The explosion was visible for more than 200 miles and audible for 40 miles and more.
This weapon is to be used against Japan between now and August 10th. I have told the Sec. of War, Mr. Stimson to use it so that military objectives and soldiers and sailors are the target and not women and children. Even if the Japs are savages, ruthless, merciless and fanatic, we as the leader of the world for the common welfare cannot drop this terrible bomb on the old Capitol or the new.
He & I are in accord. The target will be a purely military one and we will issue a warning statement asking the Japs to surrender and save lives. I’m sure they will not do that, but we will have given them the chance. It is certainly a good thing for the world that Hitler’s crowd or Stalin’s did not discover this atomic bomb. It seems to be the most terrible thing ever discovered, but it can be made the most useful.
At 10:15 I had Gen. Marshall come in and discuss with me the tactical and political situation. He is a level headed man – so is Mountbatten.
Gen. George Marshall, US Army Chief of Staff and Gen. Henry ‘Hap’ Arnold, Commanding General US Army Air Corps (NARA pic)
At the conference Poland and the Bolsheviki land grant came up. Russia liked herself to a slice of Poland and gave Poland a nice slice of Germany taking also a good slice of East Prussia for herself. Poland has moved in up to the Oder and the west Niesse, taking Stettin and Silesia as a fact accomplished. My position is that according to commitments made at Yalta by my predecessor Germany was to be divided into four occupation zones, one each for Britain, Russia and France and the U.S. If Russia chooses to allow Poland to occupy a part of her zone I am agreeable but title to territory cannot and will not be settled here. For the fourth time I’ve stated my position and explained that territorial sessions had to be made by treaty and ratified by the Senate.
We discussed reparations and movement of populations from East Germany, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Italy and elsewhere. Churchill said Maisky had so defined war booty as to include the Russi German fleet and Merchant Marine. It was a bomb shell and sort of paralyzed the Ruskies, but it has a lot of merit.
Click on images to enlarge.
##############################################################################################
##############################################################################################
William Brownsey – TX; US Army, 11th Airborne Division
Roger Cannon Jr. – UT; US Navy, WWII / US Army, Korea
Code talkers’ Monument
Edward Dietsch – Towson, MD; US Army, WWII, ETO, 12th Armored Division, Medic
James Hampton – Springfield, IL; US Navy, WWII, USS Fraser (DD-607)
Ronnie Knopp – WY; US Army, WWII, ETO, Interpreter
Conway Lewis – Memphis, TN; USMC, WWII, Purple Heart / US Army, Korea, OCS Interpreter
John Montgomery – Franklin, KY; US Army, WWII
Leonard Nace – Quakerstown, PA; US Navy, WWII, Seaman 1st Class
Harry Preston = Kitchener, CAN; Canadian Army, WWII, Galt Highland Light Infantry
Gary White – Miami, FL; US Army, Vietnam, 2 Bronze Stars
############################################################################################
Potsdam Conference w/ Churchill, Truman & Stalin
Harry S. Truman did not have the outstanding record that most people look for in a president. He had poor eyesight and was unable to complete a 4-year college. Later, he failed as the owner/operator of a small mining and oil business, as a farmer and then as a haberdasher. (In my opinion, that only left politics as an option.)
HST was elected to the Senate with the assistance of the corrupt Thomas J. Pendergast and proved to be an unimportant legislator. His only military achievement was in successfully tightening up the discipline of the rag-tag outfit he was given. He was chosen as the Vice-Presidential candidate because southern democrats liked him and FDR needed those votes. (I’m afraid these facts were located during research, they are not my own thoughts – unless specified.)
This was the man sent to Germany, sailing on the “Augusta” with Secretary of State, James Byrnes and Admiral Leahy to attend the Potsdam Conference to begin on 17 July 1945. The primary agenda for the massive meeting dealt with the revision of the German-Soviet-Polish borders and the expulsion of several million Germans from the disputed territories. The code name for this conference was “Terminal,” with Stalin, Churchill and Truman representing the three major powers.
16 July was significant in that the Atomic bomb was successfully tested, exploding the equivalent of 20,000 tons of TNT and a blast point of 750 degrees F. Oppenheimer would then prepare the test results for his report to Henry Stimson in Potsdam. Truman confided the news to Churchill and the two rulers instantly decided that at least two bombs would be dropped on Japan.
This decision was made despite the arguments of Adm. Leahy, General “Hap” Arnold and Gen. Dwight Eisenhower who strongly spoke against it’s use, calling it completely unnecessary. Many of the scientists that worked on the Manhattan Project felt that such a dramatic scientific discovery should not be used. The petition, “…the liberated forces of nature for the purpose of destruction … open the door to an era of devastation …,” was signed by 57 scientists. They had the foresight to visualize the nuclear problems that we face today, but their qualms went unheeded.
The Potsdam Proclamation demanded the unconditional surrender of Japan, but did not make mention of two clearly important issues – (1) that the atomic bomb was is existence and (2) whether or not the Emperor would retain his seat in the palace. Both of these provisions would have clarified the true situation for the Japanese Army. Many, on-site at Potsdam, believe that the Japanese were purposely and maliciously misguided.
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.
MGeneral Makato Onodera, in Norway, 1942
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.
Allen Dulles, OSS
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.
Click on images to enlarge.
############################################################################################
############################################################################################
Otis ‘Pete’ Clemons – Oceola City, FL; US Navy, WWII, PTO
Robert Dugan Sr. – Yonkers, NY; US Navy, WWII, USS Amsterdam
David Giammattalo – Toronto, CAN; Canadian Army, WWII
Edward Herod – East Chicago, IN; US Coast Guard, WWII, PTO
James I. Jubb – Eastport, MD; US Army, Korea, Cpl., KIA
Cletis L. Leatherman – Sparks, NV; US Army Air Corps, Japan Occupation, 11th Airborne Div.
Raye Montaque – Little Rock, AR; US Navy, Engineer, Program Manager of Ships
Lester Schner – Jericho, NY; US Army
Merle (Stiles) Shelton – Bakersfield, CA; Civilian, Manhattan Project (Berkeley)
Jerry Wilde – Boca Raton, FL; US Army, Korea
#############################################################################################
US Embassy at Benghazi
11 September 2012, the day the United States Consulate was attacked in Benghazi, Libya. The event should still under investigation.
The following was written by an anonymous Marine officer ___
We’re the Battling Boys of Benghazi,
No fame, no glory, no paparazzi.
Just a fiery death in a blazing hell
Defending the country we loved so well.
It wasn’t our job, but we answered the call,
Fought to the consulate and scaled the wall.
We pulled 20 countrymen from the jaws of fate,
Led them to safety and stood at the gate.
Just the two of us, and foes by the score,
But we stood fast to bar the door.
Three calls for reinforcement, but all were denied,
So we fought and we fought until we died.
We gave our all for our Uncle Sam,
But Barack and Hillary didn’t give a damn.
Just two dead Seals who carried the load,
Ambassador Stevens
No thanks to us – we’re just ‘bumps in the road.’
Click on images to enlarge.
Chris Stevens, Tyrone Woods, Sean Smith, Glen Doherty
Glen Doherty – Winchester, MA; US Navy, Seal, CIA, Benghazi
Sean Smith – San Diego, CA; US Air Force, US Foreign Service, Benghazi
J. Christopher Stevens – Grass Valley, CA; US State Dept., Ambassador to Benghazi
Tyrone Woods – Portland, OR; US Navy (Ret. 20 years), Seal, CIA, Iraq, Afghanistan w/ Bronze Star, Benghazi
###############################################################################
ANOTHER WONDERFUL POST FROM DEANO!
Industrial might lead to victory in WW2
During the early years of World War Two in Europe, both Great Britain and Russia needed a vast amount of military equipment to combat Germany and other Allied nations needed help against Japan. These countries lost a lot of equipment in the early Axis onslaught and their need for replacements far surpassed their own production capability. Luckily the industrial might of the United States of America had the solution to this problem.
The Lend-Lease program proposed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in early 1941 (following requests from British Prime Minister Winston Churchill “Give us the tools and we will finish the job“) was enacted by the United States Congress on March 11th, 1941 to provide financial and military equipment aid to her allies (formally known as An Act to Further Promote the Defense of the United States). This was
View original post 992 more words
HMAS Sydney
Cordell Hull
Ambassador Nomura
Japanese Carriers of the Pearl Harbor Force
To be continued…..
Click on images to enlarge.
#############################################################################################
A cartoon from the times….
Courtesy of Chris @ Muscleheaded
This and so many others can be found at by visiting Chris, RIGHT HERE!
#############################################################################################
A joke that was played on the Nazis – comes to light______
Hessy Taft at 6 mos and 80.
Please click on to read…..
Geobbels w/ his troops
#############################################################################################
Farewell Salutes –
Thomas Armstrong – Brazil, IN; US Army, WWII & Korea, Comapany A/187th RCT
Ivan (Hutch) Billcliff – Whangaparaoa, NZ; RNZ Air Force # 457333, Squadron Leader, Airforce Cross
Morris (Gene) Field – Rancho Mirage, CA; US Army Air Corps, Sgt., WWII, top turret gunner
Merton Green Sr. – Eastford, CT; US navy, WWII, SeaBees, PTO
David Haughee – Bossier City, LA; US Air Force, Korea & Vietnam
Lauren (Bud) Lampert – Springfield, VA; US Army, WWII, Silver Star
Bertha Richards – Montreal, Can & W.Palm Bch, FL; Canadian Navy, WREN, WWII
Arthur Waite – Newark, DE; US Air Force, Korea
Douglas Wilburn – Roscoe, IL; US Army, Vietnam
############################################################################################
Potsdam Conference
“Operation Iceberg,” the invasion of Okinawa began on 1 April 1945 and would basically end 22 June. Many are unaware that small skirmishes continued even after the 11th Airborne Division landed on that island. But … as we enter into July, others matters begin to develop.
Harry S. Truman did not have the outstanding record that most people look for in a president. He had poor eyesight and was unable to complete a 4-year college. Later, he failed as the owner/operator of a small mining and oil business, as a farmer and then as a haberdasher. (In my opinion, that only left politics as an option.) HST was elected to the Senate with the assistance of the corrupt Thomas J. Pendergast and proved to be an unimportant legislator. His only military achievement was in successfully tightening up the discipline of the rag-tag outfit he was given. He was chosen as the Vice-Presidential candidate because southern democrats liked him and FDR needed those votes. (I’m afraid these facts were located during research, they are not my own thoughts – unless specified.)
The 7 points of the Potsdam Proclamation
This was the man sent to Germany, sailing on the “Augusta” with Secretary of State, James Byrnes and Admiral Leahy to attend the Potsdam Conference to begin on 17 July 1945. The primary agenda for the massive meeting dealt with the revision of the German-Soviet-Polish borders and the expulsion of several million Germans from the disputed territories. The code name for this conference was “Terminal,” with Stalin, Churchill and Truman representing the three major powers.
16 July was significant in that the Atomic bomb was successfully tested, exploding the equivalent of 20,000 tons of TNT and a blast point of 750 degrees F. Oppenheimer would then prepare the test results for his report to Henry Stimson in Potsdam. Truman confided the news to Churchill and the two rulers instantly decided that at least two bobs would be dropped on Japan. This decision was made despite the arguments of Adm.Leahy, General “Hap” Arnold and Gen. Dwight Eisenhower who strongly spoke against it’s use, calling it completely unnecessary. Many of the scientists that worked on the Manhattan Project felt that such a dramatic scientific discovery should not be used. The petition, “…the liberated forces of nature for the purpose of destruction … open the door to an era of devastation …,” was signed by 57 scientists. They had the foresight to visualize the nuclear problems that we face today, but their qualms went unheeded.
The Potsdam Proclamation demanded the unconditional surrender of Japan, but did not make mention of two clearly important issues – (1) that the atomic bomb was is existence and (2) whether or not the Emperor would retain his seat in the palace. Both of these provisions would have clarified the true situation for the Japanese Army. Many, on-site at Potsdam, believe that the Japanese were purposely and maliciously misguided.
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.
page of the Potsdam Declaration
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 manuevers, 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?
Amazing story
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
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.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Smitty - artwork by Priorhouse.wordpress.com/
Our Silent Observer
Jeep crossing
Pacific Paratrooper 