The Hidden Trap at Japan's WWII Surrender
Gen. Carl A. Spaatz later revealed that U.S. planes had been ready with bombs to halt
any last-minute treacherous act on the part of the Japanese. Seeing a deckful of high Allied officers on the U.S.S.
Missouri might have presented a tempting target for a final suicide attack.
Every Allied commander of consequence was on that deck. Every senior officer from nine nations.
MacArthur. Nimitz. Halsey. The British. The Soviets. The Australians. One kamikaze pilot who refused to believe
Japan had surrendered — and there was a target that would have changed everything.
The ceremony was beautiful. The planes were armed. The sky above was patrolled by carrier aircraft.
250 warships surrounded the Missouri. The most peaceful moment of the war was protected by the
largest concentration of military force ever assembled to protect a signing ceremony.
any last-minute treacherous act on the part of the Japanese. Seeing a deckful of high Allied officers on the U.S.S.
Missouri might have presented a tempting target for a final suicide attack.
Every Allied commander of consequence was on that deck. Every senior officer from nine nations.
MacArthur. Nimitz. Halsey. The British. The Soviets. The Australians. One kamikaze pilot who refused to believe
Japan had surrendered — and there was a target that would have changed everything.
The ceremony was beautiful. The planes were armed. The sky above was patrolled by carrier aircraft.
250 warships surrounded the Missouri. The most peaceful moment of the war was protected by the
largest concentration of military force ever assembled to protect a signing ceremony.
