In rereading some of this, the following makes chills run through me. We, through the eyes of history think we know the only possible outcome of dropping the atomic bomb. IT WAS A REAL POSSIBILITY THAT WE MIGHT HAVE HAD TO INVADE.............
Anami fiercely opposed Togo and Suzuki.
In fact, Anami’s utterances became almost irrational. As recalled
by those who attended the meetings, Anami declared:
“The appearance of the atomic bomb does not spell the end of
war....We are confident about a decisive homeland battle
against American forces.” He admitted that “given the atomic
bomb and the Soviet entry, there is no chance of winning on
the basis of mathematical calculation,” but he nevertheless declared
that “there will be some chance as long as we keep on
fighting for the honor of the Yamato race.... If we go on like
this and surrender, the Yamato race would be as good as dead
spiritually.” Such was the mentality of the Japanese military.
Urged by middle-echelon and young officers who were “half
mad,” Anami would not retreat from making the last sacrificial
homeland battle.64
I seem to remember that those “half mad” officers will try still to prevent the surrender. It’s been a few years since I read about those events, but will have to go look it up as this final drama plays out...