The Day the War Ended-- Part 5: No Invasion of Japan

As the war was approaching its end, and victory was imminent, a Tribune editorial wrote that American fighting men "accomplished the impossible.  They were backed by American production, which also accomplished the impossible."

And, we still have ongoing debate as to the use of the atom bombs.  In two flashes of light, estimated death toll in Hiroshima was 140,000 and 70,000 for Nagasaki.

Was Japan already on its knees and ready to surrender before they were dropped?  Or did the military plan to fight to annihilation.  (My own opinion was the latter.)

Perhaps a blockade would slowly bring Japan to the table (but our Navy and Air Force had already essentially strangled the country sinking most every Japanese ship, both naval and merchant).  We had seen what the Japanese did on Okinawa, fighting to the death.  What would an American invasion of the Japanese homeland cost in American lives and finances?

--GreGen