Operation Downfall

BY 1944 it was clear to the Allies that the downfall of Japan was inevitable. It would take time, as well as blood and treasure, but Japan would one day be conquered and its vainglorious attempt to create an East Asia empire by force of arms would be defeated. But how could this be done?

- BY ROBERT LYMAN

There were three schools of thought. First, that Japan could be defeated by an aerial armada of the new B-29 Superfortresses striking from China. Second, that Japan could be blockaded into surrender. Third, that it would require an amphibious invasion.

It was option three that was eventually adopted. General Douglas MacArthur was appointed in what was initially an exclusively US plan, Operation Downfall. It had two parts. The first was Operation Olympic, amphibious landings on November 1, 1945, at 35 separate beaches on Kyushu in southern Japan by more than 200,000 men, supported by 42 aircraft carriers, 24 battleships and 400 other warships.

It would have put D-Day in the shade in terms of its numbers of men and ships. Successful landings on Kyushu would then provide the jumping off point for the second offensive, Operation Coronet, the invasion of Honshu, close to Tokyo, on March 1, 1946. This would involve landings by an additional 20 Divisions (D-Day had 12 by comparison) with a further 25 following up, including five from the British Commonwealth.