Introduction
Bill O'Reilly's "Killing the Rising Sun" offers a riveting exploration of the final stages of World War II in the Pacific theater. This book delves into the brutal conflict between the United States and Japan, culminating in the world's first and only use of atomic weapons in warfare. O'Reilly paints a vivid picture of the events leading up to the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of the war's conclusion and its lasting impact on global history.
The Road to War
Pearl Harbor: The Catalyst
On December 7, 1941, the world changed forever. The Japanese military, eager to demonstrate their dominance in the Pacific region, launched a devastating surprise attack on the American naval fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. This unprovoked assault claimed the lives of nearly 2,500 American servicemen and thrust the United States into World War II.
The attack on Pearl Harbor was not just a military strike; it was a calculated move designed to cripple the American navy and demoralize the nation. The Japanese chose to attack early on a Sunday morning when most sailors and personnel were asleep, maximizing casualties and minimizing the chance of resistance. This act of aggression left the United States with no choice but to declare war on Japan and join the Allied forces in the global conflict.
The Pacific Campaign
As the war progressed, the Allied forces found themselves on the verge of victory by the autumn of 1944. However, the incredibly resilient and fierce Japanese army stood as the final obstacle to peace. General Douglas MacArthur, determined to deliver the crushing blow, planned a massive invasion of the Philippines on October 20, 1944, known as A-Day.
Over 100,000 US Army troops under MacArthur's command stormed the beaches and jungles of the Philippines. This invasion was strategically crucial, given the proximity of the Philippines to Japan. However, what was expected to be a swift victory turned into weeks of bloody combat and fierce resistance. The Japanese forces, deeply entrenched and fighting under the code of Bushido, which views surrender as a dishonor, fought tooth and nail against the American invaders.
The battle for the small island of Peleliu, approximately 700 miles east of the Philippines, further demonstrated the Japanese army's tenacity. What was supposed to be a four-day operation to secure an airstrip stretched into 12 grueling weeks of combat, resulting in more than 6,500 American casualties before the island finally fell under American control.
The Brutality of the Japanese Forces
Atrocities in China
As the war raged on, the true extent of Japanese brutality became apparent. The Imperial Japanese Army committed horrific crimes during their invasions of neighboring countries. In Shanghai, 1937, Japanese forces executed 90,000 Chinese prisoners of war after the battle for the city. Civilians were not spared either, with many randomly shot or becoming victims of gruesome beheading contests between Japanese soldiers.
The city of Nanking witnessed even more heinous acts, with an estimated 80,000 women systematically raped by Japanese soldiers. These atrocities were not isolated incidents but part of a larger pattern of cruelty that characterized the Japanese military's conduct throughout the war.
The Code of Bushido and Hakkō Ichiu
The Japanese soldiers' unwavering dedication to their cause stemmed from two primary factors: the code of Bushido and the concept of hakkō ichiu. Bushido, the ancient samurai code of honor, viewed surrender as an appalling dishonor. This belief system led Japanese soldiers to fight to the death rather than face the shame of capture.
Hakkō ichiu, meaning "eight crown cords under one roof," represented the ultimate goal of uniting all of Asia under Japanese Emperor Hirohito. This expansionist ideology drove Japan to invade neighboring countries and plunder their natural resources to fuel their war effort.
The American Counteroffensive
Strategic Bombing Campaigns
By the spring of 1945, the tide of war had turned against Japan, but their will to fight remained unbroken. US Air Force General Curtis LeMay, recognizing the need for a new strategy, initiated a campaign of mass aerial bombardment targeting not just military bases and factories, but entire cities.
On March 10, 1945, B-29 bombers dropped 2,000 tons of napalm bombs on Tokyo, resulting in the deaths of 100,000 people and severe burns to 40,000 more. Similar strikes followed, targeting the cities of Nagoya, Yokohama, Osaka, Kobe, and Kawasaki. Despite the devastating impact of these bombing campaigns, the Japanese showed no signs of surrender.
The Battle for Okinawa
As Allied forces inched closer to the Japanese mainland, the battle for Okinawa proved to be one of the war's most gruesome engagements. The 82-day struggle resulted in 20,000 US casualties before the island was finally captured on June 23, 1945. The fierce resistance encountered on Okinawa served as a grim preview of what an invasion of the Japanese mainland might entail.
The Manhattan Project and the Atomic Bomb
The Race for Nuclear Supremacy
As the war in the Pacific raged on, a secret project was underway that would change the course of history. Scientists had discovered the potential to release enormous amounts of energy by splitting the nucleus of an atom, and both Germany and Japan were racing to weaponize this technology.
The United States, determined not to fall behind, assembled a team of researchers led by physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer. Their work, known as the Manhattan Project, aimed to develop the world's first atomic bomb. After years of relentless research and testing, by the spring of 1945, they were ready for a full-scale test.
The Trinity Test
On July 16, 1945, in a remote part of the New Mexico desert known as Jornada del Muerto, the world's first atomic bomb was detonated. The test, codenamed "Trinity," filled the sky with a blinding light and sent a devastating blast wave that was felt miles away. The results were staggering: the bomb's power was equivalent to 19,000 tons of TNT.
When President Harry S. Truman, who had assumed office following Franklin D. Roosevelt's death in April, received news of the successful test, he became determined to use the bomb against Japan. In Truman's mind, the atomic bomb was simply another, albeit far more powerful, conventional weapon of war. However, he would soon realize the true scale of destruction this new weapon could unleash.
The Decision to Use the Atomic Bomb
Truman's Dilemma
President Truman faced a difficult decision. The war in Europe had ended with Nazi Germany's surrender on May 8, 1945, but Japan showed no signs of capitulation. Despite the increasing number of homeless and hungry Japanese citizens and the devastation wrought by conventional bombing campaigns, Emperor Hirohito remained resolute in his refusal to surrender.
Truman and his advisors believed that an invasion of the Japanese mainland would result in staggering casualties on both sides. Intelligence reports suggested that 2 million Japanese soldiers were prepared to defend their homeland to the death. The use of the atomic bomb, they reasoned, might shock Japan into surrender and avoid the need for a costly invasion.
Warnings and Preparations
In the days leading up to the atomic bombings, the United States took steps to warn Japanese civilians. On August 3, 1945, B-29 bombers flew over Hiroshima, dropping pamphlets that read, "Civilians, evacuate at once." This followed a prior warning from President Truman, who had spoken from the Potsdam Conference to warn Emperor Hirohito that Japan would face "prompt and utter destruction" if it didn't surrender soon.
Despite these warnings, the Japanese leadership remained defiant. As a result, the plan to use the atomic bomb proceeded. Two bombs, codenamed "Little Boy" and "Fat Man," were prepared and shipped across the Pacific Ocean toward Japan.
The Bombing of Hiroshima
The Enola Gay's Mission
On August 6, 1945, Colonel Paul Tibbets and his handpicked crew boarded their B-29 bomber, the Enola Gay, named after Tibbets's mother. The aircraft took off from Tinian, one of the Northern Mariana Islands, carrying its lethal payload: the atomic bomb nicknamed "Little Boy."
The Enola Gay reached Hiroshima without incident, and at 8:15 a.m., Little Boy was released over the city. The detonation occurred during the morning commute, causing unprecedented destruction and human suffering.
The Aftermath
The impact of the bomb was catastrophic. Within seconds, all life within a one-mile radius of ground zero was obliterated. An estimated 70,000 lives vanished in an instant. Beyond the immediate blast zone, survivors covered in burns screamed in agony. In the months and years that followed, many more would succumb to radiation poisoning.
The destruction of Hiroshima shocked the world. The New York Times and other newspapers grappled with the implications of this new weapon, expressing concerns about its potential use in future conflicts. Many American soldiers, however, saw it as a means to end the war quickly and avoid further ground combat.
The Second Atomic Bomb
Japan's Continued Resistance
Despite the devastation wrought upon Hiroshima, Emperor Hirohito still refused to surrender. The Japanese Imperial Army, though clearly beaten, maintained its resolve to fight to the bitter end. This unwavering stance, coupled with the fear of prosecution for war crimes among Japan's military leaders, prevented a swift end to the conflict.
The Bombing of Nagasaki
On August 9, 1945, just three days after the Hiroshima bombing, the United States dropped its second atomic bomb. This five-ton bomb, nicknamed "Fat Man" due to its rounder design, was delivered by a B-29 bomber called "Bockscar." The target this time was Nagasaki, home to a Japanese torpedo plant.
Fat Man proved even more powerful than Little Boy, killing an estimated 45,000 people and injuring 60,000 more. Once again, many survivors would experience the horrors of radiation poisoning in the weeks, months, and years that followed.
The Path to Surrender
Soviet Invasion of Manchuria
On the same day as the Nagasaki bombing, the Soviet Union violated its nonaggression pact with Japan and invaded Manchuria in northeastern China. This province, which Japan had conquered early in the war, was now defenseless against the Russian forces. The Soviet invasion further weakened Japan's strategic position and contributed to the growing pressure for surrender.
Japan's Internal Struggle
The Japanese leadership found itself in a difficult position. While their culture viewed surrender as dishonorable, the reality of their military situation was becoming increasingly dire. Additionally, many high-ranking officials, including Emperor Hirohito himself, feared the possibility of being tried as war criminals.
The ongoing Nuremberg trials in Germany, which held Nazi war criminals accountable for their actions, served as a stark reminder of what could await Japan's leadership if they were to surrender unconditionally. This fear was particularly acute for figures like General Hideki Tojo, often referred to as the "Hitler of Japan," who had ordered the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Negotiations and Surrender
On August 10, 1945, the day after the Nagasaki bombing, Japan sent a letter of surrender to the United States. However, it came with one major condition: that Emperor Hirohito be allowed to remain in power. President Truman, unwilling to appear submissive to Japan's demands but eager to end the war, offered a compromise. He informed Japan that while Hirohito wouldn't be granted immunity from prosecution for war crimes, he could remain on the throne.
Five tense days passed before Japan made their surrender official on August 15, 1945. With this announcement, World War II finally came to an end. The streets of Washington erupted in celebration as news of the surrender spread.
The Aftermath
War Crimes Trials
In the wake of Japan's surrender, several high-ranking Japanese officials faced trial for war crimes. General Tojo and former prime minister Koki Hirota were among those sentenced to death. However, Emperor Hirohito was not tried, as the Allies came to see him as an important figure in the peaceful rebuilding of Japan.
The Rebuilding of Japan
The post-war period saw a dramatic transformation of Japan. Under American occupation led by General MacArthur, the country underwent significant political, economic, and social reforms. The emperor was stripped of his divine status, and a new constitution was implemented, emphasizing democracy and renouncing war as a sovereign right of the nation.
The Nuclear Age
The use of atomic bombs against Japan ushered in the nuclear age, fundamentally altering the nature of global politics and warfare. The devastating power of these weapons led to an arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union, resulting in decades of Cold War tensions and the constant threat of nuclear annihilation.
Final Thoughts
"Killing the Rising Sun" provides a comprehensive and gripping account of the final stages of World War II in the Pacific. Bill O'Reilly's narrative skillfully weaves together the strategic decisions, technological advancements, and human experiences that shaped this pivotal moment in history.
The book raises important questions about the ethics of using atomic weapons and the long-term consequences of their development. While the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki undoubtedly hastened the end of the war and potentially saved lives that would have been lost in a land invasion of Japan, they also unleashed a terrible new force upon the world.
The story of the Pacific War's conclusion serves as a stark reminder of the horrors of total war and the immense human cost of conflict. It underscores the importance of diplomacy, international cooperation, and the responsible use of technology in preventing future catastrophes.
As we reflect on these events more than 75 years later, "Killing the Rising Sun" encourages us to consider the complex moral and strategic calculations that leaders must make in times of war, and the profound impact these decisions can have on the course of history. It is a sobering reminder of the destructive potential of human ingenuity and the enduring need for peace and understanding among nations.