|
The last episode in this award-winning historical documentary starts with the
Atomic Age. Two bombs were dropped on two of Japan’s largest industrial cities.
First at 8:16am on August 16, 1945, the “Big-Boy” bomb was dropped on Hiroshima.
78,000 Japanese perish. Three days later, the second atomic bomb was dropped on
Nagasaki with 24,000 more killed. Japan surrenders unconditionally. In early
September, Allied ships from all over the world sail into Tokyo Bay for one
last mission; the finalization of Japan’s surrender to the Allied powers. First
a token landing by the 2nd Battalion of the 4th Marines, the same troops that
were wiped out in Bataan, test the Japanese resistance. There is none. Japan
surrenders completely and over 1 million American soldiers are spared. On Sept.
2, 1945, abroad the battleship USS Missouri, the formal surrender of the
Japanese empire is completed with the Japanese leaders including Emperor
Hirohito. Admiral Halsey sends one final message throughout the fleet,
“Cease Fire. Cease Fire. The War Is Over.” He also adds, “Well Done!” The
occupation now begins. For everybody else, the sailors, soldiers, marines,
and the victors are all headed home. The Allied powers prevailed in the
greatest war of all. And in all the Allied lands, there is one last victory
parade. A parade for all those, who marched into battle to fight against
tyranny and helped liberate those who were suppressed by the Axis powers.
One last parade for those who had conquered.
|
