WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk Hiroshima: VJ Day
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Aug 18, 2025 
Join historian John McManus, an expert in 20th-century warfare, as he dives into the gripping end of World War II with hosts James Holland and Al Murray. They discuss the dramatic surrender ceremony aboard the USS Missouri, revealing the significance of military leaders present and the emotional reunions that followed. McManus outlines General MacArthur's powerful speech, balancing triumph with the shadows of Japan's defeat. The podcast paints a vivid picture of a moment that marked a crucial turning point in history.
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Missouri As Symbolic Bookend
- The USS Missouri symbolically closed the Pacific war where it began, linking Pearl Harbor to Tokyo Bay.
- Its modern design and presence underscored American naval dominance and the war's finality.
Kamikaze Pilot Buried With Honors
- Missouri was brand new in 1944 and saw action at Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
- Crew members buried a kamikaze pilot with full military honors after a hit near a turret.
Planned Command Roles For Optics
- Nimitz and MacArthur balanced roles to suit personalities and optics for the ceremony.
- Nimitz signed for the U.S. while MacArthur presided for the Allied powers.
