I know I'm late to it but I found this video very interesting. Usually books on the Pacific War (or the ones I read as an American who can't read any non-english sources) will only briefly touch on the events we're so familiar with but from the Japanese perspective. It's why I love Military History Visualized's channel, as he is an Austrian who digs into all of the Germans sources (and displays the sources in both English and German onscreen so you see where it's coming from). Loving that someone is doing some of this for the Pacific War
I once saw a documentary limited on the Japanese perspective of the midway battle, and from there I learned that when we implement fog of war during the explanation of events, only then we can truly appreciate all the strategy involved to achieve the best outcome possible. Also, implementing a one side perspective, just like you flawlessly explained on the detection of the B29 radio signals, is something so uniquely scary... attempting to estimate when an attack will come and where, very interesting indeed. Another amazing episode, as always!
The answer to your first question is YES. The 509th's Pumpkin bombs carried a new heavy munitions. At the time, they could only be considered by the Japanese, a new method to deliver a big single warhead. How could they have foreseen the Hiroshima nuclear bomb? The answer to your second question is NO. At least not in this presentation. The signals intelligence was a potential defense mechanism -- but wasn't acted upon in the chaotic state of Japanese aerial defenses. Perhaps the home defense could have been on better alert for V600 coded aircraft if the surrender wasn't announced on Aug 13 -- and additional nuclear strikes were coming. But that's pure conjecture. Thankfully the other dozen or so planned nuclear strikes were not needed.
If we had Iwo Jima (since the fourth plane of the 2nd wave landed there) why didn't we launch from there, cutting down on flight time, crew stress, and possible interception?
This is enlightening. And why did the Japanese high command ignore (not even attempt to intercept) the obvious A-bomb raid on Nagasaki on 9 August 1945 ? Also, in line with who knew what, could you please make a video on the evidence (or lack thereof) regarding how much Churchill knew (and didn't pass on) and how much Roosevelt knew about the upcoming Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour? thank you!
First, thank you for covering this topic; in all of human history, few events have been more impactful. Prior to the bomb things were blown up as fast as it could be arranged, after, the idea of destroying human culture and artifacts along with the innocent required a shift in consciousness from the man's way of confrontation to the female way of cooperation, the yin-yang forces. This world has been ruled by violence for a long time, but none of us wants to see that flash of light. The title is What the Japanese knew' and I thought there were leaflets spread prior to the attacks, [understood they basically warned the citizens to leave as a new wonder weapon would be unleashed. ?]. I was not aware of the Japanese interpretation of the call signs. Your rigorous integrity shines through and makes you highly credible, imo (along with source documents of course). . Your efforts are appreciated. Again, thanks for covering this momentous event.
The Japanese did not have enough fuel to send fighters against high=flying B-29s, especially bombers flying solo or in small groups, which the Air Force assumed to be reconnaissance planes.
@@realsamuelhawley Hmm interesting. I’m assuming the American convoy raidings were so good at their job that the oil from the dutch east indies never reach the home islands. Thanks for the answer!😃
great series but i hope to see another series like the Imjin War
Another great Samuel Hawley video.Thanks!
Great insights. Thanks Samuel!
A very interesting subject! I never thought about this in all my time researching the Asia-Pacific War, well done!
I know I'm late to it but I found this video very interesting. Usually books on the Pacific War (or the ones I read as an American who can't read any non-english sources) will only briefly touch on the events we're so familiar with but from the Japanese perspective. It's why I love Military History Visualized's channel, as he is an Austrian who digs into all of the Germans sources (and displays the sources in both English and German onscreen so you see where it's coming from). Loving that someone is doing some of this for the Pacific War
I once saw a documentary limited on the Japanese perspective of the midway battle, and from there I learned that when we implement fog of war during the explanation of events, only then we can truly appreciate all the strategy involved to achieve the best outcome possible.
Also, implementing a one side perspective, just like you flawlessly explained on the detection of the B29 radio signals, is something so uniquely scary... attempting to estimate when an attack will come and where, very interesting indeed.
Another amazing episode, as always!
Love your videos. I also purchased your book on the Imjin War. By far the best nonfiction book I've ever read. Highly recommended.
Thank you, Alex!
This episode is a thriller, getting more so.
You have earned yourself a like. And another subscriber
Why weren't the callsigns encoded since we basically did the same frequency thing before Midway and should have known better.
You are a genius. you dig into the folds of history and unearth nuggets like these ...👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
The answer to your first question is YES. The 509th's Pumpkin bombs carried a new heavy munitions. At the time, they could only be considered by the Japanese, a new method to deliver a big single warhead. How could they have foreseen the Hiroshima nuclear bomb? The answer to your second question is NO. At least not in this presentation.
The signals intelligence was a potential defense mechanism -- but wasn't acted upon in the chaotic state of Japanese aerial defenses. Perhaps the home defense could have been on better alert for V600 coded aircraft if the surrender wasn't announced on Aug 13 -- and additional nuclear strikes were coming. But that's pure conjecture. Thankfully the other dozen or so planned nuclear strikes were not needed.
If we had Iwo Jima (since the fourth plane of the 2nd wave landed there) why didn't we launch from there, cutting down on flight time, crew stress, and possible interception?
You do a great job with the maps.
Good stuff@
Subbed
This is enlightening.
And why did the Japanese high command ignore (not even attempt to intercept) the obvious A-bomb raid on Nagasaki on 9 August 1945 ?
Also, in line with who knew what, could you please make a video on the evidence (or lack thereof) regarding how much Churchill knew (and didn't pass on) and how much Roosevelt knew about the upcoming Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour?
thank you!
Very interesting. I had no idea the Japanese had picked up deviating call signs.
First, thank you for covering this topic; in all of human history, few events have been more impactful. Prior to the bomb things were blown up as fast as it could be arranged, after, the idea of destroying human culture and artifacts along with the innocent required a shift in consciousness from the man's way of confrontation to the female way of cooperation, the yin-yang forces. This world has been ruled by violence for a long time, but none of us wants to see that flash of light.
The title is What the Japanese knew' and I thought there were leaflets spread prior to the attacks, [understood they basically warned the citizens to leave as a new wonder weapon would be unleashed. ?]. I was not aware of the Japanese interpretation of the call signs. Your rigorous integrity shines through and makes you highly credible, imo (along with source documents of course). . Your efforts are appreciated.
Again, thanks for covering this momentous event.
Makes me think china might have unknown super weapon. When given oppertunity they ad vance in most areas. Probaly science and defense too
Absolutely fascinating. Imagine being v-666 call sign
Why was there no interception by the Japanese airforce?
The Japanese did not have enough fuel to send fighters against high=flying B-29s, especially bombers flying solo or in small groups, which the Air Force assumed to be reconnaissance planes.
@@realsamuelhawley Hmm interesting. I’m assuming the American convoy raidings were so good at their job that the oil from the dutch east indies never reach the home islands. Thanks for the answer!😃
I said it wrong
NVM
Oh s**t
Why didn't USA do a nuke instead of just war
It would cost more lives of a ground invasion of Japan, then it would with the bombs being used