VICTORY IN THE PACIFIC

Victory over Japan was largely a result of General Douglas MacArthur's "island hopping" strategy which led to the invasion of the Phillippines in 1944. The ensuing battle at Leyte Gulf dessimated the Japanese navy, and opened the door for more assaults. The allies captured the islands of Iwo Jima, and Okinawa in March and June of 1945, after months of brutal, bitter fightiing. These successes paved the way for the direct bombing of Japan and a possible invasion.

However, an invasion never took place. The war with Japan ended abruptly and dramatically when the U.S. dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6 and 9, 1945. Japan formally surrendered on September 2, 1945. .

This clip features Morgan Beatty of NBC announcing the Japanese surrender, followed by a live report from Gary Bower in Times Square amidst the celebration of the end of the war.

Click on the headphones to hear the report.

HOME