Why Japan Fought So Hard on the Islands—But Gave Up Quickly in Manchuria
On the islands, Japanese troops fought as if their lives were at stake—because they were. In Manchuria? They surrendered quickly. Why?
It wasn't whether they were brave or not. It was circumstance.
By 1945 Japan was in terrible condition. Cities were burned to the ground. Supplies were depleted. Japanese soldiers on islands such as Iwo Jima and Okinawa were trapped. No reinforcement. No retreat. They were instructed to hold out at all costs—and they did, fighting to the very last soldier.
Then the atomic bombs. Hiroshima first. Nagasaki second. Complete devastation.
Then immediately after that the Soviet Union leaped in. They invaded Manchuria with tanks, aircraft and fleets of troops. The Japanese military there was unprepared. The majority of the decent soldiers and weapons were lost. The Soviets attacked hard and quick. It was finished within days.
So why did Japan give up? Because they had nothing left. Cities lost. Army in shambles. Bombs dropped. And now the Soviets breaking through the final defenses. It was over.
The island battles were fighting for something to hold onto. Manchuria was fighting finally to let go. Not because they were weak—because the war was lost. Japan had already collapsed.
