I was , however, drawn to review developments in the Pacific Theatre that led to VJ Day on Aug 15, 1945 - some 4 months later. After the Japanese rejected terms of surrender proposed at the Potsdam Conference on Jul 26, 1945, President Truman was faced with the worst outcome as described by his military intelligence - that the Japanese would defend every inch of their homeland according to what Emperor Hirohito called the "One Hundred Million" honour. This meant a "kamikaze defense" to be mounted by all citizens to repel invaders known as Operation Ketsu-Go.
General McArthur expected his men to face fierce resistance and be virtually guaranteed hand-to-hand combat until he reached Toyko. The combined invasion force required for the U.S plan (Operation Downfall 1) was 766,700. From May until late July 1945, intelligence estimates of Japanese troop strength rose steadily from 500,000 to 750,000 (8 battle divisions to 10) reinforcing concern about the outcome of invasion. In addition the Emperor and Japanese High Command were strongly influenced by the fateful experience of the 1905 Russian-Japanese War in which a last decisive battle set the stage for a more generous peace settlement.
General McArthur anticipated casualties (killed, missing and wounded) in the final invasion forces to mirror those of the hard-won, sea-land battle for Iwo Jima and Okinakwa (U.S casualties of 20,000 and 46,700 versus Japanese 25,000 and 119,000 - a ratio of U.S/Japanese of 1:1 and 1:2). Losses were placed around 200,000 - 250,000 (50,000+ dead and 150,000+ wounded) - and deemed unacceptable to the American public. These considerations played heavily in the decision to drop the nuclear bomb on Hiroshima on Aug 6, and then Nagasaki on Aug 10.
Final Terms of Surrender were made on Aug 14, 1945.
Footnote:
1) Operation Downfall consisted of two plans - Operation Olympic and Operation Coronet - expected to begin in October 1945.
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