{"id":584,"date":"2026-08-24T01:15:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-24T01:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/?p=584"},"modified":"2026-09-07T21:07:05","modified_gmt":"2026-09-07T21:07:05","slug":"the-ussr-vs-japan-1945-a-conversation-with-james-scott-beyond-barbarossa-episode-106","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/?p=584","title":{"rendered":"The USSR vs. Japan, 1945: A conversation with James Scott\u2014Beyond Barbarossa, Episode 106"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Historian and author of Empire of Ashes: Truman, Hirohito and the Descent into Total War<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">James Scott\u2019s latest book, Empire of Ashes, describes in detail the flights that brought nuclear bombs to Japan in August 1945. It also draws intimate portraits of the two leading antagonists on those days, U.S. President Harry Truman and Japanese Emperor Hirohito, from their earliest days through the personal transformations that ushered in a new era of warfare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"100%\" height=\"95\" src=\"https:\/\/embeds.audioboom.com\/posts\/8943159\/embed?v=202301\" style=\"background-color: transparent; display: block; padding: 0; width: 100%\" frameborder=\"0\" allowtransparency=\"allowtransparency\" scrolling=\"no\" title=\"Audioboom player\" allow=\"autoplay\" sandbox=\"allow-downloads allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"213\" height=\"320\" data-id=\"603\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/James-Scott-author-pic-pc-Stephanie-Selby.jpeg?resize=213%2C320&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-603\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/James-Scott-author-pic-pc-Stephanie-Selby.jpeg?w=213&amp;ssl=1 213w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/James-Scott-author-pic-pc-Stephanie-Selby.jpeg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 213px) 100vw, 213px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Author James Scott<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"978\" data-id=\"602\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/EmpireOfAshesCover.jpeg?resize=640%2C978&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-602\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/EmpireOfAshesCover.jpeg?resize=670%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 670w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/EmpireOfAshesCover.jpeg?resize=196%2C300&amp;ssl=1 196w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/EmpireOfAshesCover.jpeg?resize=768%2C1173&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/EmpireOfAshesCover.jpeg?resize=300%2C458&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/EmpireOfAshesCover.jpeg?resize=850%2C1298&amp;ssl=1 850w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/EmpireOfAshesCover.jpeg?resize=600%2C916&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/EmpireOfAshesCover.jpeg?w=982&amp;ssl=1 982w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Maps <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Map 1: Flight paths of <em>Enola Gay<\/em> and <em>Bockscar<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"659\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Atomic_bomb_1945_mission_map.svg_.png?resize=500%2C659&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-586\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Atomic_bomb_1945_mission_map.svg_.png?w=500&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Atomic_bomb_1945_mission_map.svg_.png?resize=228%2C300&amp;ssl=1 228w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Atomic_bomb_1945_mission_map.svg_.png?resize=300%2C395&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Map 2: Bloodiest U.S.-Japan clashes in the Pacific, Iwo Jima and Okinawa<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"627\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/map-final-phase-war-Far-East-1945-World-War-II.jpeg?resize=640%2C627&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-587\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/map-final-phase-war-Far-East-1945-World-War-II.jpeg?resize=1024%2C1003&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/map-final-phase-war-Far-East-1945-World-War-II.jpeg?resize=300%2C294&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/map-final-phase-war-Far-East-1945-World-War-II.jpeg?resize=768%2C752&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/map-final-phase-war-Far-East-1945-World-War-II.jpeg?resize=1536%2C1504&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/map-final-phase-war-Far-East-1945-World-War-II.jpeg?resize=850%2C832&amp;ssl=1 850w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/map-final-phase-war-Far-East-1945-World-War-II.jpeg?resize=600%2C588&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/map-final-phase-war-Far-East-1945-World-War-II.jpeg?w=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/map-final-phase-war-Far-East-1945-World-War-II.jpeg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Note how close Okinawa is to southernmost Japanese home island, Kyuushu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Map 3: Japanese islands<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"704\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/JapanIsands.jpg?resize=640%2C704&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-589\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/JapanIsands-scaled.jpg?resize=931%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 931w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/JapanIsands-scaled.jpg?resize=273%2C300&amp;ssl=1 273w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/JapanIsands-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C844&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/JapanIsands-scaled.jpg?resize=1397%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1397w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/JapanIsands-scaled.jpg?resize=1863%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1863w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/JapanIsands-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C330&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/JapanIsands-scaled.jpg?resize=850%2C935&amp;ssl=1 850w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/JapanIsands-scaled.jpg?resize=600%2C660&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/JapanIsands-scaled.jpg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/JapanIsands-scaled.jpg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Note how close Okinawa is to Kyushu.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Map 4: Soviet incursion into Japanese-occupied Manchuria, August 1945<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"515\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/USSRinvadesManchuraJapan1945.jpg?resize=640%2C515&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-585\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/USSRinvadesManchuraJapan1945.jpg?w=735&amp;ssl=1 735w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/USSRinvadesManchuraJapan1945.jpg?resize=300%2C242&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/USSRinvadesManchuraJapan1945.jpg?resize=600%2C483&amp;ssl=1 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Map 5: Soviet seizure of Sakhalin Island and Kuril Islands, August 1945 <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SakhalinIslandOccupation-1.jpeg?resize=640%2C360&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-588\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SakhalinIslandOccupation-1.jpeg?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SakhalinIslandOccupation-1.jpeg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SakhalinIslandOccupation-1.jpeg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SakhalinIslandOccupation-1.jpeg?resize=850%2C478&amp;ssl=1 850w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SakhalinIslandOccupation-1.jpeg?resize=600%2C338&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SakhalinIslandOccupation-1.jpeg?w=1360&amp;ssl=1 1360w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SakhalinIslandOccupation-1.jpeg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Historical photos<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"422\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/EnolaGay-gov.jpeg?resize=640%2C422&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-590\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.5177437113576693;width:577px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/EnolaGay-gov.jpeg?resize=1024%2C675&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/EnolaGay-gov.jpeg?resize=300%2C198&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/EnolaGay-gov.jpeg?resize=768%2C506&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/EnolaGay-gov.jpeg?resize=1536%2C1012&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/EnolaGay-gov.jpeg?resize=350%2C230&amp;ssl=1 350w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/EnolaGay-gov.jpeg?resize=850%2C560&amp;ssl=1 850w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/EnolaGay-gov.jpeg?resize=600%2C395&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/EnolaGay-gov.jpeg?w=1800&amp;ssl=1 1800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/EnolaGay-gov.jpeg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Boeing B-29 &#8220;Enola Gay&#8221; on Tinian in the Marianas Islands. (U.S. Air Force photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"423\" data-id=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Little_Boy_bomb.jpeg?resize=640%2C423&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-575\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Little_Boy_bomb-scaled.jpeg?resize=1024%2C677&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Little_Boy_bomb-scaled.jpeg?resize=300%2C198&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Little_Boy_bomb-scaled.jpeg?resize=768%2C508&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Little_Boy_bomb-scaled.jpeg?resize=1536%2C1015&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Little_Boy_bomb-scaled.jpeg?resize=2048%2C1354&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Little_Boy_bomb-scaled.jpeg?resize=350%2C230&amp;ssl=1 350w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Little_Boy_bomb-scaled.jpeg?resize=850%2C562&amp;ssl=1 850w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Little_Boy_bomb-scaled.jpeg?resize=600%2C397&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Little_Boy_bomb-scaled.jpeg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Little_Boy_bomb-scaled.jpeg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>\u201cLittle Boy,\u201d dropped on Hiroshima<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"409\" data-id=\"574\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Fat_Man.jpeg?resize=640%2C409&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-574\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Fat_Man.jpeg?resize=1024%2C655&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Fat_Man.jpeg?resize=300%2C192&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Fat_Man.jpeg?resize=768%2C491&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Fat_Man.jpeg?resize=850%2C544&amp;ssl=1 850w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Fat_Man.jpeg?resize=600%2C384&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Fat_Man.jpeg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">&#8220;Fat Man,\u201d dropped on Nagasaki<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"425\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/HiroshimaAfterBlast.webp?resize=640%2C425&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-591\" style=\"width:583px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/HiroshimaAfterBlast.webp?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/HiroshimaAfterBlast.webp?resize=300%2C199&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/HiroshimaAfterBlast.webp?resize=768%2C510&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/HiroshimaAfterBlast.webp?resize=850%2C564&amp;ssl=1 850w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/HiroshimaAfterBlast.webp?resize=600%2C398&amp;ssl=1 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Hiroshima after the atomic bombing.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"559\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Bocks-Car-enlisted-flight-crew.png?resize=640%2C559&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-592\" style=\"width:587px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Bocks-Car-enlisted-flight-crew.png?w=714&amp;ssl=1 714w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Bocks-Car-enlisted-flight-crew.png?resize=300%2C262&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Bocks-Car-enlisted-flight-crew.png?resize=600%2C524&amp;ssl=1 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Bockscar, the Superfortress that dropped Fat Man on Nagasaki, and its crew. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"936\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Atomic_cloud_over_Nagasaki_from_B-29.jpeg?resize=640%2C936&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-593\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.6831875607385811;width:452px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Atomic_cloud_over_Nagasaki_from_B-29.jpeg?resize=700%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 700w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Atomic_cloud_over_Nagasaki_from_B-29.jpeg?resize=205%2C300&amp;ssl=1 205w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Atomic_cloud_over_Nagasaki_from_B-29.jpeg?resize=300%2C439&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Atomic_cloud_over_Nagasaki_from_B-29.jpeg?resize=600%2C878&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Atomic_cloud_over_Nagasaki_from_B-29.jpeg?w=703&amp;ssl=1 703w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Mushroom cloud over Nagasaki from observer Superfortress.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"447\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Imperial_general_headquaters_meeting.jpeg?resize=640%2C447&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-595\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.4321869089165358;width:662px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Imperial_general_headquaters_meeting.jpeg?resize=1024%2C715&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Imperial_general_headquaters_meeting.jpeg?resize=300%2C210&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Imperial_general_headquaters_meeting.jpeg?resize=768%2C536&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Imperial_general_headquaters_meeting.jpeg?resize=850%2C594&amp;ssl=1 850w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Imperial_general_headquaters_meeting.jpeg?resize=600%2C419&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Imperial_general_headquaters_meeting.jpeg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Japanese War Council, presided by Emperor Hiroshito.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"940\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Hirohito_in_dress_uniform_cropped.jpeg?resize=640%2C940&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-596\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.6808510638297872;width:303px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Hirohito_in_dress_uniform_cropped.jpeg?resize=697%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 697w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Hirohito_in_dress_uniform_cropped.jpeg?resize=204%2C300&amp;ssl=1 204w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Hirohito_in_dress_uniform_cropped.jpeg?resize=768%2C1128&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Hirohito_in_dress_uniform_cropped.jpeg?resize=300%2C441&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Hirohito_in_dress_uniform_cropped.jpeg?resize=850%2C1248&amp;ssl=1 850w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Hirohito_in_dress_uniform_cropped.jpeg?resize=600%2C881&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Hirohito_in_dress_uniform_cropped.jpeg?w=864&amp;ssl=1 864w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Emperor Hirohito official portrait, pre-war.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"435\" data-id=\"597\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Kagoshima_after_the_1945_air_raid.jpeg?resize=640%2C435&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-597\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Kagoshima_after_the_1945_air_raid.jpeg?resize=1024%2C696&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Kagoshima_after_the_1945_air_raid.jpeg?resize=300%2C204&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Kagoshima_after_the_1945_air_raid.jpeg?resize=768%2C522&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Kagoshima_after_the_1945_air_raid.jpeg?resize=850%2C578&amp;ssl=1 850w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Kagoshima_after_the_1945_air_raid.jpeg?resize=600%2C408&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Kagoshima_after_the_1945_air_raid.jpeg?w=1030&amp;ssl=1 1030w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kagoshima after firebombing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"541\" data-id=\"598\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Boeing_B-29A_Incendiary_Osaka.jpg?resize=640%2C541&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-598\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Boeing_B-29A_Incendiary_Osaka.jpg?w=960&amp;ssl=1 960w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Boeing_B-29A_Incendiary_Osaka.jpg?resize=300%2C253&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Boeing_B-29A_Incendiary_Osaka.jpg?resize=768%2C649&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Boeing_B-29A_Incendiary_Osaka.jpg?resize=850%2C718&amp;ssl=1 850w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Boeing_B-29A_Incendiary_Osaka.jpg?resize=600%2C507&amp;ssl=1 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">B-29 Superfortress firebombing Osaka<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"473\" data-id=\"599\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/FirebombedTokyo.jpg?resize=640%2C473&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-599\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/FirebombedTokyo.jpg?w=756&amp;ssl=1 756w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/FirebombedTokyo.jpg?resize=300%2C222&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/FirebombedTokyo.jpg?resize=600%2C444&amp;ssl=1 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Firebombing of Tokyo, 1945<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/TrumanAnnouncesA-bomb.jpg?resize=640%2C360&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/TrumanAnnouncesA-bomb.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/TrumanAnnouncesA-bomb.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/TrumanAnnouncesA-bomb.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/TrumanAnnouncesA-bomb.jpg?resize=850%2C478&amp;ssl=1 850w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/TrumanAnnouncesA-bomb.jpg?resize=600%2C338&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/TrumanAnnouncesA-bomb.jpg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">U.S. President Harry Truman announces the atomic bombing of Hiroshima by radio on board the USS <em>Augusta<\/em>, 6 August 1945. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-4 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"610\" height=\"857\" data-id=\"610\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Hiroshima_10km.jpg?resize=610%2C857&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-610\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Hiroshima_10km.jpg?w=610&amp;ssl=1 610w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Hiroshima_10km.jpg?resize=214%2C300&amp;ssl=1 214w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Hiroshima_10km.jpg?resize=300%2C421&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Hiroshima_10km.jpg?resize=600%2C843&amp;ssl=1 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 610px) 100vw, 610px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Atomic blast over Hiroshima, seen from 10 km away<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"809\" data-id=\"594\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/atomic-bomb-Nagasaki-Aug-8-1945-.jpg?resize=640%2C809&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-594\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/atomic-bomb-Nagasaki-Aug-8-1945-.jpg?resize=810%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 810w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/atomic-bomb-Nagasaki-Aug-8-1945-.jpg?resize=237%2C300&amp;ssl=1 237w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/atomic-bomb-Nagasaki-Aug-8-1945-.jpg?resize=768%2C971&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/atomic-bomb-Nagasaki-Aug-8-1945-.jpg?resize=1214%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1214w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/atomic-bomb-Nagasaki-Aug-8-1945-.jpg?resize=300%2C379&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/atomic-bomb-Nagasaki-Aug-8-1945-.jpg?resize=850%2C1075&amp;ssl=1 850w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/atomic-bomb-Nagasaki-Aug-8-1945-.jpg?resize=600%2C759&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/atomic-bomb-Nagasaki-Aug-8-1945-.jpg?w=1265&amp;ssl=1 1265w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Mushroom cloud over Nagasaki<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-5 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"439\" data-id=\"613\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Hiroshima_before_after_atomic_bomb_21-2740954478.jpeg?resize=640%2C439&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-613\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Hiroshima_before_after_atomic_bomb_21-2740954478.jpeg?resize=1024%2C703&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Hiroshima_before_after_atomic_bomb_21-2740954478.jpeg?resize=300%2C206&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Hiroshima_before_after_atomic_bomb_21-2740954478.jpeg?resize=768%2C528&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Hiroshima_before_after_atomic_bomb_21-2740954478.jpeg?resize=1536%2C1055&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Hiroshima_before_after_atomic_bomb_21-2740954478.jpeg?resize=850%2C584&amp;ssl=1 850w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Hiroshima_before_after_atomic_bomb_21-2740954478.jpeg?resize=600%2C412&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Hiroshima_before_after_atomic_bomb_21-2740954478.jpeg?w=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Hiroshima_before_after_atomic_bomb_21-2740954478.jpeg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Hiroshima after the bomb<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"406\" height=\"640\" data-id=\"614\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Hiroshima_Dome_1945.gif?resize=406%2C640&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-614\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Hiroshima dome after the blast<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"495\" data-id=\"612\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/nagasaki-nuclear-bomb.jpg?resize=640%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-612\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/nagasaki-nuclear-bomb.jpg?resize=1024%2C792&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/nagasaki-nuclear-bomb.jpg?resize=300%2C232&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/nagasaki-nuclear-bomb.jpg?resize=768%2C594&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/nagasaki-nuclear-bomb.jpg?resize=850%2C657&amp;ssl=1 850w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/nagasaki-nuclear-bomb.jpg?resize=600%2C464&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/nagasaki-nuclear-bomb.jpg?w=1536&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/nagasaki-nuclear-bomb.jpg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Nagasaki blast <\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" data-id=\"611\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/ruins-nagasaki.jpg?resize=640%2C360&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-611\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/ruins-nagasaki.jpg?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/ruins-nagasaki.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/ruins-nagasaki.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/ruins-nagasaki.jpg?resize=850%2C478&amp;ssl=1 850w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/ruins-nagasaki.jpg?resize=600%2C338&amp;ssl=1 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Nagasaki after the bomb<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Historian and author of Empire of Ashes: Truman, Hirohito and the Descent into Total War James Scott\u2019s latest book, Empire of Ashes, describes in detail the flights that brought nuclear bombs to Japan in August 1945. It also draws intimate portraits of the two leading antagonists on those days, U.S&#8230;.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":616,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[99],"tags":[100,109,113,106,102,104,107,103,112,31,33,28],"post_folder":[],"class_list":["post-584","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-season-5","tag-atomic-bomb","tag-clement-atlee","tag-empire-of-ashes","tag-harry-truman","tag-hiroshima","tag-japan","tag-josef-stalin","tag-nagasaki","tag-new-book","tag-second-world-war","tag-ussr","tag-world-war-ii"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The USSR vs. Japan, 1945: A conversation with James Scott\u2014Beyond Barbarossa, Episode 106 - Beyond Barbarossa: the podcast<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/beyondbarbarossa.ca\/?p=584\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The USSR vs. Japan, 1945: A conversation with James Scott\u2014Beyond Barbarossa, Episode 106 - Beyond Barbarossa: the podcast\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Historian and author of Empire of Ashes: Truman, Hirohito and the Descent into Total War James Scott\u2019s latest book, Empire of Ashes, describes in detail the flights that brought nuclear bombs to Japan in August 1945. 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