Downfall-Why Japan Surrendered with very special guest Richard Frank-Episode 225

Comments · 647

• JO

  @JohnRodriguesPhotographer · 3 years ago

  To Captain Bill Toti, I am adopted from South Korea. I have studied WWII since the early 70's. I have a small library of books on the subject. Sometime in the later 70's I came to the conclusion dropping the bombs was the best way to end the war.

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• DO

  @DonDueed · 3 years ago

  I read Mr. Frank&apos;s &quot;Downfall&quot; just recently. &nbsp;I highly recommend it.<br><br>One key element in the Allies&apos; decision making regarding the use of the bombs (which wasn&apos;t mentioned in this episode) was the very serious possibility that Japan might never formally surrender at all, but simply continue fighting indefinitely. &nbsp;This might have left over a million Japanese soldiers around the Pacific basin actively engaged in combat to the death. &nbsp;It&apos;s a nightmare scenario and one that had a very real potential to happen. &nbsp;The nuclear attacks short-circuited that possibility. &nbsp;(This scenario was also one reason that Tokyo was not on the nuclear target list.)

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• GR

  @gregbiggs1177 · 1 year ago

  Richard Franks&apos; &quot;Downfall&quot; ends ANY arguments that the atomic bomb was not needed. &nbsp;Just crushes those beliefs. &nbsp;Thanks for having him.

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• BL

  @blank557 · 3 years ago (edited)

  My father served with the First Marine division at Peleliu and Okinawa. He was training on Okinawa for the invasion of Japan, when one rainy night while watching a movie outdoors, his unit got word the war was over. Everyone went nuts with joy and relief. My father was 19 years old. I cannot wrap my head around how young he was, what he went through, and only imagine what he thought about being given a new lease on life.

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• JA

  @JasperFromMS · 3 years ago

  Well done, Seth. You have done well with this Podcast. The fact that you were able to land Capt. Bill as cohost is impressive enough, but your ability to land high caliber guests is outstanding.

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• MO

  @morganhale3434 · 3 years ago

  Both of my parents were born in 1940 and they came from two radically different backgrounds. My father&apos;s family were dairy farmers and maple syrup harvesting New Englanders from Vermont living about 30 minutes south of the Quebec border. My mother&apos;s family was from west Texas, and they lived on top of the eastern edge of the Permian basin and were farmers, ranchers, and oil men. Everyone alive in 1945 whose opinions I had heard on the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki all said that they were just relieved that the war was over. Their emotions on the Pacific War were visceral because of the shock of Pearl Harbor and the loss of the Philippines, plus the horrific cost of the Island-Hopping campaign. The moral question was moot to these people because of their relatives and mine serving in the Pacific at the time.

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• LY

  @lynndonharnell422 · 3 years ago

  The father of an old girlfriend was with Australian commandos in ww2. He related to me that they were detailed to do an operation in Malaysia that they all expected to die. The op was cancelled when Hiroshima happened. They were profoundly grateful.

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• GS

  @gsr4535 · 3 years ago

  Richard Frank. &nbsp;What a gem. I read Downfall several years ago, &nbsp; wonderful book.

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• ST

  @steveperry6492 · 3 years ago

  Rich Frank is The Man when it comes to the Asia Pacific War. &nbsp;He is also a really good guy. &nbsp;Superb episode as always.

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• GA

  @garryschyman99 · 3 years ago

  Richard Frank&apos;s &quot;Guadalcanal: The Definitive Account of the Landmark Battle&quot; is exceptional history and I could not put it down. &nbsp;Thanks for including him on this episode.

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• SK

  @Skilledtramp · 3 years ago

  This topic is critical for anyone who wants a clear view of the Pacific War. &nbsp;Most people know only cliches. &nbsp;You guys get great guests!

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• PH

  @philpockras4408 · 3 years ago

  Splendid program. &nbsp;Thanks!<br><br>I&apos;m a minister in the Reformed Presbyterian Church. &nbsp;We had missions in south China (Guangdong and Guangxi) 1895-1950; and in Manchuria (1931-1940). &nbsp;In the RPC, there was much knowledge of and horror of Japanese depredation. &nbsp;Our missionaries went from south China to Kobe, Japan, in 1950, but there was emotional hesitation about going to those who had been so cruel to the Chinese people and culture, whom they loved.<br><br>CAPT Toti, your article in <i>World</i> was splendid. &nbsp;Your writing was clear and your conclusions well supported. &nbsp;Thanks!

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