Retribution: The Battle for Japan,
1944-45 (Vintage) by Max Hastings
Comprehensive...No Stone Left Unturned
By the summer of 1944 it was clear that Japans defeat was inevitable, but
how the drive to victory would be achieved remained unclear. The ensuing
drama—that ended in Japans utter devastation—was acted out across the
vast theater of Asia in massive clashes between army, air, and naval
forces.
In recounting these extraordinary events, Max Hastings draws incisive
portraits of MacArthur, Mao, Roosevelt, Churchill, Stalin, and other key
figures of the war in the East. But he is equally adept in his portrayals of
the ordinary soldiers and sailors caught in the bloodiest of campaigns.

With its piercing and convincing analysis, Retribution is a brilliant telling of
an epic conflict from a master military historian at the height of his powers.
Personal Review: Retribution: The Battle for Japan, 1944-45
(Vintage) by Max Hastings
"Retribution" by Max Hastings is superb work that primarily focuses on the
last year of the WWII conflict in the Asian theater. Making "Retribution"
unique is the focus on the individuals involved, and not just on the political
and military leaders. There is a lot of detail about the battles and combat
situations throughout the entire Asian theater during the last year of conflict
in this book. Hastings gathered original sources from interviews of soldiers
& sailors, comfort girls, and by researching memoirs, journals, diaries and
letters, from these people on the ground.
Author Max Hastings also notes what is so often known only behind the
scenes but not disclosed very often to the public: the real reason for some
of the brutal battles that caused many soldier and civilian casualties when
not necessary. Ego, image, lack of historical knowledge, and chest
pounding by the upper echelons of military and political power, were often
the root cause of unnecessary carnage during the latter stages of the
conflict.
ONCE AGAIN: OIL & MacARTHUR:
In the beginning, it was about oil; In the end, it was about oil.
DOUGLAS MacARTHUR:
With historical analysis and eyewitness accounts, General Douglas
MacArthur is again, the most overrated and over-hyped military man in
20th Century. Not only was he overrated, but he was a poor General and
a bad military strategist. Douglas MacArthur appears to be a prime
example of the "Peter Principle." Promoted to his highest level of
incompetence. Having many negative defects, traits, and tendencies, he
surrounded himself with sycophantic yes-man who pledged obedience and
loyalty. Anyone who was smart, capable, and valuable was re-assigned to
another part of the globe. Removing a potential threat to him and his cabal
of subordinates. MacArthur was an egomaniac who manipulated the
American public and mass media for his own *personal* vanity and
*personal* gain, and not the nation's welfare.
MacArthur's facade in the Philippines and Japan set the stage for many of
his mistakes that would take place 5 years later in Korea. He also
seriously misunderstood Asia, and in particular, China. More damning is
that he was unaware of his own ignorance.

JAPAN AFTERMATH:
During the 1930s huge crowds of Japanese citizens waved the rising-sun
flag and cheered their troops as they departed for China and South East
Asian conquests to expand Japanese imperialism. After the end of World
War II and the arrival of the American occupiers and rebuilders, these
same Japanese warriors were despised, ridiculed, and even assaulted by
the Japanese citizens. After much sacrifice by the citizens of Japan with
scarce resources, firebombing and 2 A-bombs, it looks like these
enthusiastic war supporters had a change of heart.
ONE CONCEPT SEEMS ALWAYS TO BE DISCUSSED & DEBATED.
Dropping the A-bomb:
It's already well known, but Hastings notes the reasons for dropping the
two atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The Japanese military
controlled the government and refused to surrender. After years of
fighting, go onto the mainland? The Soviets were also close and getting
closer (Manchuria invasion). It was imperative to force the Japanese to
finally surrender to save lives, and to keep Stalin and the Soviet Union
from usurping into Manchuria and other parts of Asia. Again, it's worth
noting that the firebombing campaigns in killed more Japanese civilians
than dropping the two A-bombs. Previous to dropping them, the Potsdam
Ultimatum was issued by Truman and the Allies to the Japanese and it
was firmly rejected by Emperor Hirohito.
The Japanese atrocities inflicted upon innocents throughout Asia is beyond
horrific. Japan deserves no sympathy. After defeat, Japan was propped
up by the US to counter-balance the communist influence spreading in
North-East Asia during the post WWII period.
Very well-done historical account that focuses on the experiences and
perspective of the people involved on the ground.
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