[ohioman]

Good point of which I overlooked. However, (as someone earlier in this thread stated), with perfect intelligence and hindsight I am easily on par with General Patton, Napoleon, and Genghis Khan when it comes to military strategy. :)

[Vigilanteman]

Thanks. If you have the chance, you should rent from Netflix or elsewhere a movie called Japan's Longest Day. It was produced by Shochiku, one of their key film studios. While all black and white, it is clearly subtitled and easy to follow even if you don't speak a word of Japanese.

The film covers the final days from late July 1945 until the Emperor's broadcast of the surrender announcement, but focuses on the last 24 hours up to that announcement. It gives you great insight into the utter depravity of a large faction of the general staff and the risks taken by those who opposed them even with the emperor's backing to agree to surrender.