Podcasts about Fleet

I've spent years talking about endpoint security, yet printers rarely enter the conversation. Today, that blind spot takes center stage. I'm joined by Jim LaRoe, CEO of Symphion, to unpack why printers now represent one of the most exposed corners of the enterprise and what can be done about it. Jim's team protects fleets that range from a few hundred devices to tens of thousands, and the picture he paints is stark. In many organizations, printers make up 20 to 30 percent of endpoints, and almost all of them are left in a factory default state. That means open ports, default passwords, and little to no monitoring. Pair that with the sensitive data printers receive, process, and store, plus the privileged connections they hold to email and file servers, and you start to see why attackers love them. We trace Symphion's path from a configuration management roots story in 1999 to a pivot in 2015 when a major printer manufacturer invited the company behind the curtain. What they found was a parallel universe to mainstream IT. Brand silos, disparate operating systems, and a culture that treated printers as cost items rather than connected computers. Add in the human factor, where technicians reset devices to factory defaults after service as second nature, and you have a recipe for recurring vulnerabilities that never make it into a SOC dashboard. Jim explains how Symphion's Print Fleet Cybersecurity as a Service tackles this mess with cross-brand software, professional operations, and proven processes delivered for a simple per-device price. The model is designed to remove operational burden from IT teams. Automated daily monitoring detects drift, same-day remediation resets hardened controls, and comprehensive reporting supports regulatory needs in sectors like healthcare where compliance is non-negotiable. The goal is steady cyber hygiene for printers that mirrors what enterprises already expect for servers and PCs, without cobbling together multiple vendor tools, licenses, and extra headcount to operate them. We also talk about the hidden costs of DIY printer security. Licensing multiple management platforms for different brands, training staff who already have full plates, and outages caused by misconfigurations all add up. Jim shares real-world perspectives from organizations that tried to patch together a solution before calling in help. The pattern is familiar. Costs creep. Vulnerabilities reappear. Incidents push the topic onto the CISO's agenda. Symphion's pitch is straightforward. Treat print fleets like any other class of critical infrastructure in the enterprise, and measure outcomes in risk reduction, time saved, and fewer surprises. If you are commuting while listening and now hearing alarm bells, you are not alone. Think about the printers scattered across your offices and clinics. Consider the data that passes through them every day. Then picture an attacker who finds default credentials in minutes and uses a printer to move across your network.  Tune in for a fast, practical look at a risk hiding in plain sight, and learn how Symphion's Print Fleet Cybersecurity as a Service can help you close a gap that attackers know too well. ********* Visit the Sponsor of Tech Talks Network: Land your first job  in tech in 6 months as a Software QA Engineering Bootcamp with Careerist https://crst.co/OGCLA  

Nick Waldner reveals how discipline, family, and intentional investing create true wealth. Learn how to build balance, purpose, and long-term success in life and business through his inspiring journey.See full article: https://www.unitedstatesrealestateinvestor.com/building-enormous-wealth-balance-and-purpose-with-nick-waldner/(00:00) - Welcome Back to The REI Agent Podcast(00:08) - Guest Introduction: Meet Nick Waldner(00:20) - Nick Shares Family Life and Real Estate Business Overview(01:18) - Maryland Market Reach and Expanding Across Borders(02:09) - How Nick Got Into Real Estate: From Family Influence to Rich Dad Poor Dad(02:57) - Early Entrepreneurial Ventures: Seasonal Business and Cold Stone Creamery Franchise(03:56) - First Real Estate Offers and Lessons Learned(04:58) - Mentorship from His Mother: No Handouts, Only Hard Work(06:09) - From Rookie Agent to Building a Team(08:29) - Realization: Work-Life Balance and the Drive to Build a Team(09:31) - Hiring Struggles and Lessons in Leadership(11:17) - Building Systems and Empowering a Team Member's Dream(12:44) - The Boredom of Success and Mastering Fundamentals(13:05) - Personal Health, Routine, and Discipline in Daily Life(16:15) - Teaching Discipline Through Jocko's “Way of the Warrior Kid”(17:34) - Parenting Lessons and Using Books for Teaching Ownership(18:42) - Transitioning to Investing: First Properties and House Hacking Strategy(19:06) - Building Wealth One Property at a Time(22:31) - Mattias Highlights the “Burn the Fleet” vs W-2 Strategy(23:39) - Cars vs Cash Flow: Lifestyle Choices and Wealth-Building(24:40) - Keeping Lifestyle Low and Reinvesting Profits(26:41) - The Power of Holding Properties Over Time(28:45) - Syndication Successes and Failures: Lessons Learned the Hard Way(30:25) - Risks of Syndications vs Flips(32:02) - Mentoring His Team by Partnering on Deals(32:58) - Types of Deals: Buy and Hold, Flips, and Partnerships(34:07) - Learning Bigger Deals Through Partnerships(34:18) - How Agents Ethically Approach Sellers With Options(36:59) - Transparency in Deals: Creating Fair Outcomes for Sellers(38:21) - Building Trust With Clients Through Clear Options(39:14) - Golden Nuggets: Finding Mentors and Giving Back(42:02) - Recommended Book: “The Five Types of Wealth” by Sahil Bloom(44:08) - Where to Find and Connect With Nick Waldner(44:49) - Closing Remarks and Podcast OutroContact Nick Waldnerhttps://nickwaldner.com/https://www.facebook.com/WaldnerNick/https://www.instagram.com/nickwaldner/https://youtube.com@waldnerwintersteam Success is not just about money but about family, health, and purpose. Build your life with intention and balance just like Nick Waldner. For more inspiration, visit https://reiagent.com.ABOUT THE REI AGENT:Value-rich, The REI Agent podcast takes a holistic approach to life through real estate. Hosted by Mattias Clymer, an agent and investor, alongside his wife Erica Clymer, a licensed therapist, the show features guests who strive to live bold and fulfilled lives through business and real estate investing. You are personally invited to witness inspiring conversations with agents and investors who share their journeys, strategies, and wisdom. Ready to level up and build the life you truly want?

Guest Bio: Captain Lacey Vestal, United States Navy, currently serves as a Commanding Officer in the Human Resources community. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, she began her career as a Surface Warfare Officer before transitioning to Human Resources, where she has held leadership roles across the Fleet, at the Pentagon, and on the staff of the Secretary of the Navy. Her career reflects a commitment to resilience, mentorship, and service at every level of the Navy. Beyond uniform, she is a competitive bodybuilder who brings the same discipline and focus to personal wellness that she applies to leading Sailors and shaping Navy policy.   Episode Description: Captain Lacey Vestal is a United States Navy Commanding Officer and Human Resources Officer. She talks about growing up in a small town in Pennsylvania, being at the Naval Academy during 9/11, standing her first watch as a Surface Warfare Officer, shifting into HR, and working at the Pentagon and with the Secretary of the Navy. We also get into bodybuilding, command PT, mentorship, and what it takes to stay resilient as a leader.   Have a “Do Better” you want us to review on a future episode? Reach out at ptsfpodcast@gmail.com   Stay connected with the PTSF Podcast: https://linktr.ee/Ptsfpodcast   CAPT Lacey's Picks of the Week:   Relentless (Tim Grover) - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/relentless-tim-s-grover/1112409981   Quiet (Susan Cain) - https://susancain.net/book/quiet/       PTSF Theme Music: Produced by Lim0

Discover how Sema4.ai is redefining enterprise AI with a platform built to help businesses build, operate, and scale SAFE AI agents. In this conversation, CTO and co-founder Ram Venkatesh explains why simply generating insights isn't enough and why enterprises need AI that can act on those insights reliably, securely, and at scale. If you want to understand the future of agentic AI and how to safely scale AI across your organization, this episode is a must-watch. Stay Updated:Craig Smith on X: https://x.com/craigssEye on A.I. on X: https://x.com/EyeOn_AI (00:00) The Data-to-Action Gap (00:38) Ram's Big Data Background (03:22) Why RPA Failed & Agents Win   (04:39) Conversational Agents vs Manual Workflows   (06:28) The Power of a Semantic Layer   (08:20) Runbooks: Capturing Intent, Not Just Steps   (11:16) Connecting Data Across Systems   (15:12) How Sema4.ai Keeps AI Secure   (17:37) From 20 to 2,000 Agents: Scaling the Fleet   (20:20) Choosing the Right Agent Platform   (26:22) Process Architects: The New Role in AI   (29:00) Why Finance & Healthcare Lead in Adoption   (30:04) Sema4.ai's Pricing & Adoption Playbook   (41:29) Scaling Faster with Snowflake Deployment   (43:10) ISVs & Domain Experts as Agent Builders  

The He Kaupapa Waka - A Fleet of Waka exhibition celebrates the journey of waka through imagery and sound.

In this episode of The Fleet Success Show, Josh Turley (CEO, RTA) and fleet veteran Nathan Schafer dive deep into the not-so-sexy—but absolutely critical—topic of vehicle inventory. If you've ever assumed that what's in your fleet maintenance management software matches what's on your lot… think again. From rogue departments buying vehicles under the radar to liabilities that could land you in legal hot water, this episode breaks down why accurate, hands-on inventory is non-negotiable. Nathan shares real stories from public sector and construction fleet life, including equipment that literally vanished and a catastrophic fire that made insurance records the only thing standing between chaos and coverage. You'll also get practical advice on how to conduct a modern vehicle inventory using today's tools—plus why photos, odometer updates, and walkarounds could save you millions (or your job). ✅ Key Takeaways Inventory isn't optional—it's a legal, financial, and operational necessity. What's not in your FMIS can hurt you. Assets missing from your fleet maintenance software = massive liability. Photos are proof. Capture and attach them to records to avoid insurance nightmares. Rogue departments = rogue liabilities. Centralized oversight is critical. Annual walkarounds uncover the truth. From ghost assets to forgotten equipment, nothing beats boots on the ground. Digital tools like RTA Fleet360's mobile app simplify the process with photo capture, odometer updates, and record linking. Speaker Bios Josh Turley, CEO of RTA: The Fleet Success Company. With two decades of experience supporting fleets, Josh is passionate about helping fleet managers lead with intention and build cultures of excellence. He's a vocal advocate for using data and modern fleet management systems to drive measurable success. Nathan Schafer, Fleet management expert with 25+ years in both public sector and private construction fleets. At RTA, he supports implementation, training, and product design. Known for his hands-on approach and deep operational knowledge, Nathan's stories always come with a lesson (and sometimes a laugh). #FleetMaintenance #FleetManagement #FleetSuccess #VehicleInventory #FleetSafety #FleetCompliance #FleetMaintenanceSoftware #FleetManagementSoftware #GovernmentFleet #RTAFleet #AssetManagement #FleetLiability

Amazon may be muscling into the field of augmented reality glasses. According to a report by The Information, sources claimed that the company is working on AR glasses for consumers, allegedly with plans to release the product in late 2026 or early 2027. In other news, David Zaslav, the CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, plans to make HBO more expensive, and passwords a lot harder to share, according to The Hollywood Reporter. And, Lyft and May Mobility have teamed up to launch a fleet of autonomous vehicles in Atlanta. It's a pilot program, so it's currently only available to Lyft riders in the area of midtown Atlanta. The companies promise a "measured, safety-first approach" with this rollout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ireland's electric vehicle market is booming, with registrations up 69% in August and over 20,000 new EVs licensed so far in 2025 - a 37% increase year-on-year. With one in six new cars now electric, EVs are becoming the mainstream choice for both drivers and businesses. This rapid growth makes the return of the Nevo Electric Vehicle Show to Dublin's RDS Simmonscourt this November especially timely - uniting industry leaders, public sector decision-makers and consumers for Ireland's largest ever showcase of electric mobility, clean energy and sustainable transport. The Nevo Electric Vehicle Show, in partnership with Bank of Ireland, is set to return to Dublin's RDS Simmonscourt this November with its most ambitious programme yet. Running across two days, Friday 7th November for businesses and Saturday 8th November for the general public, it will be Ireland's largest ever event dedicated to electric vehicles, clean energy, and sustainable mobility. Bank of Ireland is once again the show's title partner in 2025 while SSE Airtricity will continue as the exclusive Energy Partner, reflecting the growing importance of energy solutions in driving Ireland's shift to electrification. Every automotive brand operating in Ireland will be present, alongside exhibitors spanning public and home charging, solar energy, personal and public electric transport, smart home technology and wider energy services. Business day, on Friday, 7 November, is designed to help businesses, fleets, and the Public Sector of all sizes plan for a sustainable future. With climate targets looming, the event will bring together CEOs, CFOs, Heads of Fleet and Sustainability from across Ireland. The agenda will feature keynote speakers, panel discussions and case studies from organisations already transitioning to electric mobility. Workshops will be hosted throughout the day by GEOTAB, ESB, SSE, Activ8 Energies and Pragmatica, covering topics such as fleet management, smart energy, and business strategy development. The goal is to empower decision-makers to accelerate their journey towards net zero while also gaining practical advice on costs, infrastructure, and policy. For the general public on Saturday, 8 November, the Nevo EV Show promises a full day of discovery, excitement and hands-on experiences. Over 120 electric vehicles will be on display across 56 stands, representing 34 car brands. Nissan is confirmed as the official vehicle launch partner this year, where the brand will unveil the all-new Micra and the latest Leaf, marking their first official appearance in Ireland, giving visitors an exclusive first look. More than 30 vehicles will be available to test drive as part of the SSE Airtricity Driving Experience, while ESB ecars will showcase 12 vehicles in the new live demonstration area with EV expert Derek Reilly offering insights into performance, design and features. Visitors can also look forward to exclusive vehicle launches from more leading brands, expert panel discussions on everything from vehicle grants to charging, and a chance to explore the very latest in sustainable transport solutions. Attendance is once again expected to be significant! Organisers are targeting 10,000 registrations for the business day and 20,000 attendees for the public day, backed by a nationwide marketing campaign and strong support from event partners including Bank of Ireland, SSE Airtricity, ESB ecars, GEOTAB, ZEVI and SEAI. The Nevo EV Show aims to build on the extraordinary success of last year's event, which attracted almost 20,000 visitors. With a broader programme, bigger displays and more vehicles than ever before, the 2025 edition is shaping up to be Ireland's definitive showcase of the electric future. Admission is free, but registration is required. Tickets for both the Business Day and Public Day are available now at nevo.ie.

Upgunned variants of NSCs and FRCs could help Navy readiness.

Wiggy doesn't blame the Bregman camp for holding off on contract // Courtney proves she's the gift that keeps on giving // The weekly "Rap Up" with our guy Akrobatik! //

From London, England...A tech tip about how and why old technology and processes can and should be streamlined, eliminated, or updated.Some concise advice about whether you're a pirate or a navy in your law firm's stage of growth, and the importance of staying aligned with the appropriate mission.+++00:00 Location Update01:42 Tech Tip07:52 Concise Advice11:54 Wrapping up

"We're not addressing human behavior—we're just trying to show that we did something."In this impactful episode of The Fleet Success Show, host Steve Saltzgiver sits down with 2024 Fleet Hall of Fame inductee Matthew Betz. With more than five decades in the fleet world, Betz has seen it all—from selling fleet solutions at Wheels Inc. to building out Detroit's EV infrastructure at DTE Energy. But perhaps most compelling is his recent mission: transforming fleet safety by understanding human behavior.The conversation dives deep into Betz's career evolution, including his leadership roles at NAFA and AFLA, the surprising challenges in launching an electric fleet at DTE, and why traditional driver training is failing. Together with behavioral psychologists (including his daughter!), Betz now focuses on empowering supervisors to become safety coaches—an idea that could redefine fleet risk management.Fleet managers will walk away with real-world insights into EV adoption, stakeholder engagement, and a new lens on fleet safety that goes far beyond checklists and telematics dashboards.  Key Takeaways:Behavior Drives Safety: Most safety training fails because it ignores root causes. Changing driver behavior starts with understanding why people drive the way they do. Train the Coach, Not the Driver: Betz advocates for supervisor-led coaching rather than automated training modules. EV Adoption Is Hard—but Worth It: Infrastructure, range anxiety, and cultural resistance are all major hurdles, but thoughtful planning and change management can overcome them. Data Overload is Real: Fleet managers are overwhelmed with telematics. Success lies in surfacing actionable insights—not just data. Fleet Needs a Seat at the Table: Top-performing fleets are integrated with organizational leadership and strategy. Speaker Bios:Matthew BetzMatthew Betz is a fleet industry legend, boasting a 50+ year career that spans fleet leasing, consulting, OEM partnerships, and utility fleet management. A former VP at Wheels Inc., Betz later spearheaded the electric fleet initiative at DTE Energy. He's a past president of AFLA, a longtime NAFA board member, and was inducted into the Fleet Hall of Fame in 2024. Today, he leads Orc Creek Fleet Consulting and works closely with behavioral science firm ABA Technologies to revolutionize fleet safety.Steve SaltzgiverSteve Saltzgiver is a veteran fleet executive, consultant, and host of The Fleet Success Show. With experience leading massive government and private fleets, Steve now brings his expertise to the mic, guiding fleet professionals toward operational excellence and sustainable success.

Hosts Jim White, Brother Dave White, Super Dave Weldon and Jam Bacchus cover life in the JFW fleet: company updates, birthdays, retirements, and new drivers, plus a candid phone interview with Bennett. They discuss safety and maintenance—chain checks, daily pre-trip habits, grease points, winter bags and wiper checks—along with real stories about road rage, discipline, and learning on the job. The episode also shares construction progress at the new yard, tips & tricks for drivers, and a call to take the high road while staying prepared and professional on the road. Links to Help find Ambyr's Mom https://medium.com/@amarianacarolus428/the-strange-disappearance-of-terri-ann-ackerman-89559cc7ceee https://www.iheart.com/podcast/the-troubleshooter-20710606/episode/the-troubleshooter-04-25-23-113838662/ https://kdvr.com/news/colorado-cold-cases/cold-case-where-is-terri-ackerman/  News story https://apps.colorado.gov/apps/coldcase/casedetail.html?id=356000-  Picture and description of her https://charleyproject.org/case/terri-anne-ackerman https://www.lochbuie.org/police  Help Find Terri Ackerman Facebook Page https://www.thevanishedpodcast.com/episodes/2021/7/12/episode-295-terri-ackerman  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDJQfwbwwNs&t=244s  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgejVtc7juE&t=199s    

Concern is growing about a shortage of fodder this winter. Drought in some parts of the UK has meant that the grass just hasn't grown, so farmers have had to feed their animals with the food they planned to save.A new study suggests people working with pesticides can be at higher risk of problems with their lungs. The study from the Health and Safety Executive published in the Occupational Medicine Journal says chest tightness and nasal allergies were common in those they surveyed.A team of researchers from Seafish, the public body supporting the seafood industry, is currently carrying out its annual survey of the nation's fishing fleet, talking to around 10% of the 4,000 skippers. The work is essential to know just what's happening in the fleet and what challenges it faces.Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

How do you scale innovation in a system where critical pieces are out of your control? That is the challenge Highland Electric Fleets faced as it worked to replace diesel school buses with electric vehicles across the United States. While Highland provided financing, infrastructure, and fleet operations, success depended on external partners, including manufacturers, utilities, and districts. Delays and disruptions forced the company to stay nimble and deliver under pressure. Harvard Business School professor Rosabeth Moss Kanter and Highland Electric founder and CEO Duncan McIntyre join host Brian Kenny to discuss the HBS case “'The Wheels on the Bus' Go Electric.” They explore what it takes to scale a climate solution while sustaining momentum and coordinating across public and private sectors.

Last time we spoke about the Soviet Victory in Asia. After atomic bombings and Japan's surrender, the Soviets launched a rapid Manchurian invasion, driving toward Harbin, Mukden, Changchun, and Beijing. Shenyang was taken, seeing the capture of the last Emperor of China, Pu Yi. The Soviets continued their advances into Korea with port captures at Gensan and Pyongyang, and occupation of South Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands, ahead of anticipated American intervention. Stalin pushed for speed to avoid US naval landings, coordinating with Chinese forces and leveraging the Sino-Soviet pact while balancing relations with Chiang Kai-shek. As fronts closed, tens of thousands of Japanese POWs were taken, while harsh wartime reprisals, looting, and mass sexual violence against Japanese, Korean, and Chinese civilians were reported.  This episode is the Surrender of Japan Welcome to the Pacific War Podcast Week by Week, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about world war two? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on world war two and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel you can find a few videos all the way from the Opium Wars of the 1800's until the end of the Pacific War in 1945.  With the Manchurian Campaign over and Japan's surrender confirmed, we've reached the end of the Pacific War and the ushering of a new era. This journey took us 3 years, 8 months, and 27 days and it's been a rollercoaster. We've gone over numerous stories of heroism and horror, victory and defeat, trying to peel back a part of WW2 that often gets overshadowed by the war in Europe. Certainly the China War is almost completely ignored by the west, but fortunately for you all, as I end this series we have just entered the China war over at the Fall and Rise of China Podcast. Unlike this series where, to be blunt, I am hamstrung by the week by week format, over there I can tackle the subject as I see fit, full of personal accounts. I implore you if you want to revisit some of that action in China, jump over to the other podcast, I will be continuing it until the end of the Chinese civil war. One could say it will soon be a bit of a sequel to this one. Of course if you love this format and want more, you can check out the brand new Eastern Front week by week podcast, which really does match the horror of the Pacific war. Lastly if you just love hearing my dumb voice, come check out my podcast which also is in video format on the Pacific War Channel on Youtube, the Echoes of War podcast. Me and my co-host Gaurav tackle history from Ancient to Modern, often with guests and we blend the dialogue with maps, photos and clips. But stating all of that, lets get into it, the surrender of Japan. As we last saw, while the Soviet invasion of Manchuria raged, Emperor Hirohito announced the unconditional surrender of the Japanese Empire on August 15. Public reaction varied, yet most were stunned and bewildered, unable to grasp that Japan had surrendered for the first time in its history. Many wept openly as they listened to the Emperor's solemn message; others directed swift anger at the nation's leaders and the fighting services for failing to avert defeat; and some blamed themselves for falling short in their war effort. Above all, there was a deep sympathy for the Emperor, who had been forced to make such a tragic and painful decision.  In the wake of the Emperor's broadcast, war factories across the country dismissed their workers and shut their doors. Newspapers that had been ordered to pause their usual morning editions appeared in the afternoon, each carrying the Imperial Rescript, an unabridged translation of the Potsdam Declaration, and the notes exchanged with the Allied Powers. In Tokyo, crowds of weeping citizens gathered all afternoon in the vast plaza before the Imperial Palace and at the Meiji and Yasukuni Shrines to bow in reverence and prayer. The shock and grief of the moment, coupled with the dark uncertainty about the future, prevented any widespread sense of relief that the fighting had ended. Bombings and bloodshed were over, but defeat seemed likely to bring only continued hardship and privation. Starvation already gripped the land, and the nation faced the looming breakdown of public discipline and order, acts of violence and oppression by occupying forces, and a heavy burden of reparations. Yet despite the grim outlook, the Emperor's assurance that he would remain to guide the people through the difficult days ahead offered a measure of solace and courage. His appeal for strict compliance with the Imperial will left a lasting impression, and the refrain “Reverent Obedience to the Rescript” became the rallying cry as the nation prepared to endure the consequences of capitulation. Immediately after the Emperor's broadcast, Prime Minister Suzuki's cabinet tendered its collective resignation, yet Hirohito commanded them to remain in office until a new cabinet could be formed. Accordingly, Suzuki delivered another broadcast that evening, urging the nation to unite in absolute loyalty to the throne in this grave national crisis, and stressing that the Emperor's decision to end the war had been taken out of compassion for his subjects and in careful consideration of the circumstances. Thus, the shocked and grief-stricken population understood that this decision represented the Emperor's actual will rather than a ratified act of the Government, assuring that the nation as a whole would obediently accept the Imperial command. Consequently, most Japanese simply went on with their lives as best they could; yet some military officers, such as General Anami, chose suicide over surrender. Another key figure who committed seppuku between August 15 and 16 was Vice-Admiral Onishi Takijiro, the father of the kamikaze. Onishi's suicide note apologized to the roughly 4,000 pilots he had sent to their deaths and urged all surviving young civilians to work toward rebuilding Japan and fostering peace among nations. Additionally, despite being called “the hero of the August 15 incident” for his peacekeeping role in the attempted coup d'état, General Tanaka felt responsible for the damage done to Tokyo and shot himself on August 24. Following the final Imperial conference on 14 August, the Army's “Big Three”, War Minister Anami, Chief of the Army General Staff Umezu, and Inspectorate-General of Military Training General Kenji Doihara, met at the War Ministry together with Field Marshals Hata and Sugiyama, the senior operational commanders of the homeland's Army forces. These five men affixed their seals to a joint resolution pledging that the Army would “conduct itself in accordance with the Imperial decision to the last.” The resolution was endorsed immediately afterward by General Masakazu Kawabe, the overall commander of the Army air forces in the homeland. In accordance with this decision, General Anami and General Umezu separately convened meetings of their senior subordinates during the afternoon of the 14th, informing them of the outcome of the final Imperial conference and directing strict obedience to the Emperor's command. Shortly thereafter, special instructions to the same effect were radioed to all top operational commanders jointly in the names of the War Minister and Chief of Army General Staff. The Army and Navy authorities acted promptly, and their decisive stance proved, for the most part, highly effective. In the Army, where the threat of upheaval was most acute, the final, unequivocal decision of its top leaders to heed the Emperor's will delivered a crippling blow to the smoldering coup plot by the young officers to block the surrender. The conspirators had based their plans on unified action by the Army as a whole; with that unified stance effectively ruled out, most of the principal plotters reluctantly abandoned the coup d'état scheme on the afternoon of 14 August. At the same time, the weakened Imperial Japanese Navy took steps to ensure disciplined compliance with the surrender decision. Only Admiral Ugaki chose to challenge this with his final actions. After listening to Japan's defeat, Admiral Ugaki Kayō's diary recorded that he had not yet received an official cease-fire order, and that, since he alone was to blame for the failure of Japanese aviators to stop the American advance, he would fly one last mission himself to embody the true spirit of bushido. His subordinates protested, and even after Ugaki had climbed into the back seat of a Yokosuka D4Y4 of the 701st Kokutai dive bomber piloted by Lieutenant Tatsuo Nakatsuru, Warrant Officer Akiyoshi Endo, whose place in the kamikaze roster Ugaki had usurped, also climbed into the same space that the admiral had already occupied. Thus, the aircraft containing Ugaki took off with three men piloted by Nakatsuru, with Endo providing reconnaissance, and Ugaki himself, rather than the two crew members that filled the other ten aircraft. Before boarding his aircraft, Ugaki posed for pictures and removed his rank insignia from his dark green uniform, taking only a ceremonial short sword given to him by Admiral Yamamoto. Elements of this last flight most likely followed the Ryukyu flyway southwest to the many small islands north of Okinawa, where U.S. forces were still on alert at the potential end of hostilities. Endo served as radioman during the mission, sending Ugaki's final messages, the last of which at 19:24 reported that the plane had begun its dive onto an American vessel. However, U.S. Navy records do not indicate any successful kamikaze attack on that day, and it is likely that all aircraft on the mission with the exception of three that returned due to engine problems crashed into the ocean, struck down by American anti-aircraft fire. Although there are no precise accounts of an intercept made by Navy or Marine fighters or Pacific Fleet surface units against enemy aircraft in this vicinity at the time of surrender. it is likely the aircraft crashed into the ocean or was shot down by American anti-aircraft fire. In any event, the crew of LST-926 reported finding the still-smoldering remains of a cockpit with three bodies on the beach of Iheyajima Island, with Ugaki's remains allegedly among them. Meanwhile, we have already covered the Truman–Stalin agreement that Japanese forces north of the 38th parallel would surrender to the Soviets while those to the south would surrender to the Americans, along with the subsequent Soviet occupation of Manchuria, North Korea, South Sakhalin, and the Kurile Islands. Yet even before the first atomic bomb was dropped, and well before the Potsdam Conference, General MacArthur and his staff were planning a peaceful occupation of Japan and the Korean Peninsula. The first edition of this plan, designated “Blacklist,” appeared on July 16 and called for a progressive, orderly occupation in strength of an estimated fourteen major areas in Japan and three to six areas in Korea, so that the Allies could exercise unhampered control over the various phases of administration. These operations would employ 22 divisions and 3 regiments, together with air and naval elements, and would utilize all United States forces immediately available in the Pacific. The plan also provided for the maximum use of existing Japanese political and administrative organizations, since these agencies already exerted effective control over the population and could be employed to good advantage by the Allies. The final edition of “Blacklist,” issued on August 8, was divided into three main phases of occupation. The first phase included the Kanto Plain, the Kobe–Osaka–Kyoto areas, the Nagasaki–Sasebo area in Kyushu, the Keijo district in Korea, and the Aomori–Ominato area of northern Honshu. The second phase covered the Shimonoseki–Fukuoka and Nagoya areas, Sapporo in Hokkaido, and Fusan in Korea. The third phase comprised the Hiroshima–Kure area, Kochi in Shikoku, the Okayama, Tsuruga, and Niigata areas, Sendai in northern Honshu, Otomari in Karafuto, and the Gunzan–Zenshu area in Korea. Although the Joint Chiefs of Staff initially favored Admiral Nimitz's “Campus” Plan, which envisioned entry into Japan by Army forces only after an emergency occupation of Tokyo Bay by advanced naval units and the seizure of key positions ashore near each anchorage, MacArthur argued that naval forces were not designed to perform the preliminary occupation of a hostile country whose ground divisions remained intact, and he contended that occupying large land areas was fundamentally an Army mission. He ultimately convinced them that occupation by a weak Allied force might provoke resistance from dissident Japanese elements among the bomb-shattered population and could therefore lead to grave repercussions. The formal directive for the occupation of Japan, Korea, and the China coast was issued by the Joint Chiefs of Staff on August 11. The immediate objectives were to secure the early entry of occupying forces into major strategic areas, to control critical ports, port facilities, and airfields, and to demobilize and disarm enemy troops. First priority went to the prompt occupation of Japan, second to the consolidation of Keijo in Korea, and third to operations on the China coast and in Formosa. MacArthur was to assume responsibility for the forces entering Japan and Korea; General Wedemeyer was assigned operational control of the forces landing on the China coast and was instructed to coordinate his plans with the Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek; and Japanese forces in Southeast Asia were earmarked for surrender to Admiral Mountbatten. With the agreement of the Soviet, Chinese, and British governments, President Truman designated MacArthur as Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers on August 15, thereby granting him final authority for the execution of the terms of surrender and occupation. In this capacity, MacArthur promptly notified the Emperor and the Japanese Government that he was authorized to arrange for the cessation of hostilities at the earliest practicable date and directed that the Japanese forces terminate hostilities immediately and that he be notified at once of the effective date and hour of such termination. He further directed that Japan send to Manila on August 17 “a competent representative empowered to receive in the name of the Emperor of Japan, the Japanese Imperial Government, and the Japanese Imperial General Headquarters certain requirements for carrying into effect the terms of surrender.” General MacArthur's stipulations to the Japanese Government included specific instructions regarding the journey of the Japanese representatives to Manila. The emissaries were to leave Sata Misaki, at the southern tip of Kyushu, on the morning of August 17. They were to travel in a Douglas DC-3-type transport plane, painted white and marked with green crosses on the wings and fuselage, and to fly under Allied escort to an airdrome on Lejima in the Ryukyus. From there, the Japanese would be transported to Manila in a United States plane. The code designation chosen for communication between the Japanese plane and US forces was the symbolic word “Bataan.” Implementation challenges arose almost immediately due to disagreements within Imperial General Headquarters and the Foreign Office over the exact nature of the mission. Some officials interpreted the instructions as requiring the delegates to carry full powers to receive and agree to the actual terms of surrender, effectively making them top representatives of the Government and High Command. Others understood the mission to be strictly preparatory, aimed only at working out technical surrender arrangements and procedures. Late in the afternoon of August 16, a message was sent to MacArthur's headquarters seeking clarification and more time to organize the mission. MacArthur replied that signing the surrender terms would not be among the tasks of the Japanese representatives dispatched to Manila, assured the Japanese that their proposed measures were satisfactory, and pledged that every precaution would be taken to ensure the safety of the Emperor's representatives on their mission. Although preparations were made with all possible speed, on August 16 the Japanese notified that this delegation would be somewhat delayed due to the scarcity of time allowed for its formation. At the same time, MacArthur was notified that Hirohito had issued an order commanding the entire armed forces of his nation to halt their fighting immediately. The wide dispersion and the disrupted communications of the Japanese forces, however, made the rapid and complete implementation of such an order exceedingly difficult, so it was expected that the Imperial order would take approximately two to twelve days to reach forces throughout the Pacific and Asiatic areas. On August 17, the Emperor personally backed up these orders with a special Rescript to the armed services, carefully worded to assuage military aversion to surrender. Suzuki was also replaced on this date, with the former commander of the General Defense Army, General Prince Higashikuni Naruhiko, becoming the new Prime Minister with the initial tasks to hastily form a new cabinet capable of effecting the difficult transition to peace swiftly and without incident. The Government and Imperial General Headquarters moved quickly to hasten the preparations, but the appointment of the mission's head was held up pending the installation of the Higashikuni Cabinet. The premier-designate pressed for a rapid formation of the government, and on the afternoon of the 17th the official ceremony of installation took place in the Emperor's presence. Until General Shimomura could be summoned to Tokyo from the North China Area Army, Prince Higashikuni himself assumed the portfolio of War Minister concurrently with the premiership, Admiral Mitsumasa Yonai remaining in the critical post of Navy Minister, and Prince Ayamaro Konoe, by Marquis Kido's recommendation, entered the Cabinet as Minister without Portfolio to act as Higashikuni's closest advisor. The Foreign Minister role went to Mamoru Shigemitsu, who had previously served in the Koiso Cabinet. With the new government installed, Prince Higashikuni broadcast to the nation on the evening of 17 August, declaring that his policies as Premier would conform to the Emperor's wishes as expressed in the Imperial mandate to form a Cabinet. These policies were to control the armed forces, maintain public order, and surmount the national crisis, with scrupulous respect for the Constitution and the Imperial Rescript terminating the war. The cabinet's installation removed one delay, and in the afternoon of the same day a message from General MacArthur's headquarters clarified the mission's nature and purpose. Based on this clarification, it was promptly decided that Lieutenant General Torashiro Kawabe, Deputy Chief of the Army General Staff, should head a delegation of sixteen members, mainly representing the Army and Navy General Staffs. Kawabe was formally appointed by the Emperor on 18 August. By late afternoon that same day, the data required by the Allied Supreme Commander had largely been assembled, and a message was dispatched to Manila informing General MacArthur's headquarters that the mission was prepared to depart the following morning. The itinerary received prompt approval from the Supreme Commander. Indeed, the decision to appoint a member of the Imperial Family who had a respectable career in the armed forces was aimed both at appeasing the population and at reassuring the military. MacArthur appointed General Eichelberger's 8th Army to initiate the occupation unassisted through September 22, at which point General Krueger's 6th Army would join the effort. General Hodge's 24th Corps was assigned to execute Operation Blacklist Forty, the occupation of the Korean Peninsula south of the 38th Parallel. MacArthur's tentative schedule for the occupation outlined an initial advance party of 150 communications experts and engineers under Colonel Charles Tench, which would land at Atsugi Airfield on August 23. Naval forces under Admiral Halsey's 3rd Fleet were to enter Tokyo Bay on August 24, followed by MacArthur's arrival at Atsugi the next day and the start of the main landings of airborne troops and naval and marine forces. The formal surrender instrument was to be signed aboard an American battleship in Tokyo Bay on August 28, with initial troop landings in southern Kyushu planned for August 29–30. By September 4, Hodge's 24th Corps was to land at Inchon and begin the occupation of South Korea. In the meantime, per MacArthur's directions, a sixteen-man Japanese delegation headed by Lieutenant-General Kawabe Torashiro, Vice-Chief of the Army General Staff, left Sata Misaki on the morning of August 19; after landing at Iejima, the delegation transferred to an American transport and arrived at Nichols Field at about 18:00. That night, the representatives held their first conference with MacArthur's staff, led by Lieutenant-General Richard Sutherland. During the two days of conference, American linguists scanned, translated, and photostated the various reports, maps, and charts the Japanese had brought with them. Negotiations also resulted in permission for the Japanese to supervise the disarmament and demobilization of their own armed forces under Allied supervision, and provided for three extra days of preparation before the first occupying unit landed on the Japanese home islands on August 26. At the close of the conference, Kawabe was handed the documents containing the “Requirements of the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers,” which concerned the arrival of the first echelons of Allied forces, the formal surrender ceremony, and the reception of the occupation forces. Also given were a draft Imperial Proclamation by which the Emperor would accept the terms of the Potsdam Declaration and command his subjects to cease hostilities, a copy of General Order No. 1 by which Imperial General Headquarters would direct all military and naval commanders to lay down their arms and surrender their units to designated Allied commanders, and the Instrument of Surrender itself, which would later be signed on board an American battleship in Tokyo Bay. After the Manila Conference ended, the Japanese delegation began its return to Japan at 13:00 on August 20; but due to mechanical problems and a forced landing near Hamamatsu, they did not reach Tokyo until August 21. With the scheduled arrival of the advanced party of the Allied occupation forces only five days away, the Japanese immediately began disarming combat units in the initial-occupation areas and evacuating them from those areas. The basic orders stated that Allied forces would begin occupying the homeland on 26 August and reaffirmed the intention ofImperial General Headquarters "to insure absolute obedience to the Imperial Rescript of 14 August, to prevent the occurrence of trouble with the occupying forces, and thus to demonstrate Japan's sincerity to the world." The Japanese government announced that all phases of the occupation by Allied troops would be peaceful and urged the public not to panic or resort to violence against the occupying forces. While they sought to reassure the population, they faced die-hard anti-surrender elements within the IJN, with ominous signs of trouble both from Kyushu, where many sea and air special-attack units were poised to meet an invasion, and from Atsugi, the main entry point for Allied airborne troops into the Tokyo Bay area. At Kanoya, Ugaki's successor, Vice-Admiral Kusaka Ryonosuke, hastened the separation of units from their weapons and the evacuation of naval personnel. At Atsugi, an even more threatening situation developed in the Navy's 302nd Air Group. Immediately after the announcement of the surrender, extremist elements in the group led by Captain Kozono Yasuna flew over Atsugi and the surrounding area, scattering leaflets urging the continuation of the war on the ground and claiming that the surrender edict was not the Emperor's true will but the machination of "traitors around the Throne." The extremists, numbering 83 junior officers and noncommissioned officers, did not commit hostile acts but refused to obey orders from their superior commanders. On August 19, Prince Takamatsu, the Emperor's brother and a navy captain, telephoned Atsugi and personally appealed to Captain Kozono and his followers to obey the Imperial decision. This intervention did not end the incident; on August 21 the extremists seized a number of aircraft and flew them to Army airfields in Saitama Prefecture in hopes of gaining support from Army air units. They failed in this attempt, and it was not until August 25 that all members of the group had surrendered. As a result of the Atsugi incident, on August 22 the Emperor dispatched Captain Prince Takamatsu Nabuhito and Vice-Admiral Prince Kuni Asaakira to various naval commands on Honshu and Kyushu to reiterate the necessity of strict obedience to the surrender decision. Both princes immediately left Tokyo to carry out this mission, but the situation improved over the next two days, and they were recalled before completing their tours. By this point, a typhoon struck the Kanto region on the night of August 22, causing heavy damage and interrupting communications and transport vital for evacuating troops from the occupation zone. This led to further delays in Japanese preparations for the arrival of occupation forces, and the Americans ultimately agreed to a two-day postponement of the preliminary landings. On August 27 at 10:30, elements of the 3rd Fleet entered Sagami Bay as the first step in the delayed occupation schedule. At 09:00 on August 28, Tench's advanced party landed at Atsugi to complete technical arrangements for the arrival of the main forces. Two days later, the main body of the airborne occupation forces began streaming into Atsugi, while naval and marine forces simultaneously landed at Yokosuka on the south shore of Tokyo Bay. There were no signs of resistance, and the initial occupation proceeded successfully.  Shortly after 1400, a famous C-54  the name “Bataan” in large letters on its nose circled the field and glided in for a landing. General MacArthur stepped from the aircraft, accompanied by General Sutherland and his staff officers. The operation proceeded smoothly. MacArthur paused momentarily to inspect the airfield, then climbed into a waiting automobile for the drive to Yokohama. Thousands of Japanese troops were posted along the fifteen miles of road from Atsugi to Yokohama to guard the route of the Allied motor cavalcade as it proceeded to the temporary SCAP Headquarters in Japan's great seaport city. The Supreme Commander established his headquarters provisionally in the Yokohama Customs House. The headquarters of the American Eighth Army and the Far East Air Force were also established in Yokohama, and representatives of the United States Pacific Fleet were attached to the Supreme Commander's headquarters. The intensive preparation and excitement surrounding the first landings on the Japanese mainland did not interfere with the mission of affording relief and rescue to Allied personnel who were internees or prisoners in Japan. Despite bad weather delaying the occupation operation, units of the Far East Air Forces and planes from the Third Fleet continued their surveillance missions. On 25 August they began dropping relief supplies, food, medicine, and clothing, to Allied soldiers and civilians in prisoner-of-war and internment camps across the main islands. While the advance echelon of the occupation forces was still on Okinawa, “mercy teams” were organized to accompany the first elements of the Eighth Army Headquarters. Immediately after the initial landings, these teams established contact with the Swiss and Swedish Legations, the International Red Cross, the United States Navy, and the Japanese Liaison Office, and rushed to expedite the release and evacuation, where necessary, of thousands of Allied internees.  On September 1, the Reconnaissance Troop of the 11th Airborne Division conducted a subsidiary airlift operation, flying from Atsugi to occupy Kisarazu Airfield; and on the morning of September 2, the 1st Cavalry Division began landing at Yokohama to secure most of the strategic areas along the shores of Tokyo Bay, with Tokyo itself remaining unoccupied. Concurrently, the surrender ceremony took place aboard Halsey's flagship, the battleship Missouri, crowded with representatives of the United Nations that had participated in the Pacific War.  General MacArthur presided over the epoch-making ceremony, and with the following words he inaugurated the proceedings which would ring down the curtain of war in the Pacific “We are gathered here, representatives of the major warring powers, to conclude a solemn agreement whereby peace may be restored. The issues, involving divergent ideals and ideologies, have been determined on the battlefields of the world and hence are not for our discussion or debate. Nor is it for us here to meet, representing as we do a majority of the people of the earth, in a spirit of distrust, malice or hatred. But rather it is for us, both victors and vanquished, to rise to that higher dignity which alone befits the sacred purposes we are about to serve, committing all our peoples unreservedly to faithful compliance with the understandings they are here formally to assume. It is my earnest hope, and indeed the hope of all mankind, that from this solemn occasion a better world shall emerge out of the blood and carnage of the past — a world dedicated to the dignity of man and the fulfillment of his most cherished wish for freedom, tolerance and justice. The terms and conditions upon which surrender of the Japanese Imperial Forces is here to be given and accepted are contained in the instrument of surrender now before you…”.  The Supreme Commander then invited the two Japanese plenipotentiaries to sign the duplicate surrender documents : Foreign Minister Shigemitsu, on behalf of the Emperor and the Japanese Government, and General Umezu, for the Japanese Imperial General Headquarters. He then called forward two famous former prisoners of the Japanese to stand behind him while he himself affixed his signature to the formal acceptance of the surrender : Gen. Jonathan M. Wainwright, hero of Bataan and Corregidor and Lt. Gen. Sir Arthur E. Percival, who had been forced to yield the British stronghold at Singapore. General MacArthur was followed in turn by Admiral Nimitz, who signed on behalf of the United States. Alongside the recently liberated Generals Wainwright and Percival, who had been captured during the Japanese conquest of the Philippines and Singapore respectively, MacArthur then signed the surrender documents, followed by Admiral Nimitz and representatives of the other United Nations present. The Instrument of Surrender was completely signed within twenty minutes. Shortly afterwards, MacArthur broadcast the announcement of peace to the world, famously saying, “Today the guns are silent.” Immediately following the signing of the surrender articles, the Imperial Proclamation of capitulation was issued, commanding overseas forces to cease hostilities and lay down their arms; however, it would take many days, and in some cases weeks, for the official word of surrender to be carried along Japan's badly disrupted communications channels. Various devices were employed by American commanders to transmit news of final defeat to dispersed and isolated enemy troops, such as plane-strewn leaflets, loudspeaker broadcasts, strategically placed signboards, and prisoner-of-war volunteers. Already, the bypassed Japanese garrison at Mille Atoll had surrendered on August 22; yet the first large-scale surrender of Japanese forces came on August 27, when Lieutenant-General Ishii Yoshio surrendered Morotai and Halmahera to the 93rd Division. On August 30, a British Pacific Fleet force under Rear-Admiral Cecil Harcourt entered Victoria Harbour to begin the liberation of Hong Kong; and the following day, Rear-Admiral Matsubara Masata surrendered Minami-Torishima. In the Marianas, the Japanese commanders on Rota and Pagan Islands relinquished their commands almost simultaneously with the Tokyo Bay ceremony of September 2. Later that day, the same was done by Lieutenant-General Inoue Sadae in the Palaus and by Lieutenant-General Mugikura Shunzaburo and Vice-Admiral Hara Chuichi at Truk in the Carolines. Additionally, as part of Operation Jurist, a British detachment under Vice-Admiral Harold Walker received the surrender of the Japanese garrison on Penang Island. In the Philippines, local commanders in the central Bukidnon Province, Infanta, the Bataan Peninsula, and the Cagayan Valley had already surrendered by September 2. On September 3, General Yamashita and Vice-Admiral Okawachi Denshichi met with General Wainwright, General Percival, and Lieutenant-General Wilhelm Styer, Commanding General of Army Forces of the Western Pacific, to sign the formal surrender of the Japanese forces in the Philippines. With Yamashita's capitulation, subordinate commanders throughout the islands began surrendering in increasing numbers, though some stragglers remained unaware of the capitulation. Concurrently, while Yamashita was yielding his Philippine forces, Lieutenant-General Tachibana Yoshio's 109th Division surrendered in the Bonins on September 3. On September 4, Rear-Admiral Sakaibara Shigematsu and Colonel Chikamori Shigeharu surrendered their garrison on Wake Island, as did the garrison on Aguigan Island in the Marianas. Also on September 4, an advanced party of the 24th Corps landed at Kimpo Airfield near Keijo to prepare the groundwork for the occupation of South Korea; and under Operation Tiderace, Mountbatten's large British and French naval force arrived off Singapore and accepted the surrender of Japanese forces there. On September 5, Rear-Admiral Masuda Nisuke surrendered his garrison on Jaluit Atoll in the Marshalls, as did the garrison of Yap Island. The overall surrender of Japanese forces in the Solomons and Bismarcks and in the Wewak area of New Guinea was finally signed on September 6 by General Imamura Hitoshi and Vice-Admiral Kusaka Jinichi aboard the aircraft carrier Glory off Rabaul, the former center of Japanese power in the South Pacific. Furthermore, Lieutenant-General Nomi Toshio, representing remaining Japanese naval and army forces in the Ryukyus, officially capitulated on September 7 at the headquarters of General Stilwell's 10th Army on Okinawa. The following day, Tokyo was finally occupied by the Americans, and looking south, General Kanda and Vice-Admiral Baron Samejima Tomoshige agreed to travel to General Savige's headquarters at Torokina to sign the surrender of Bougainville. On September 8, Rear-Admiral Kamada Michiaki's 22nd Naval Special Base Force at Samarinda surrendered to General Milford's 7th Australian Division, as did the Japanese garrison on Kosrae Island in the Carolines. On September 9, a wave of surrenders continued: the official capitulation of all Japanese forces in the China Theater occurred at the Central Military Academy in Nanking, with General Okamura surrendering to General He Yingqin, the commander-in-chief of the Republic of China National Revolutionary Army; subsequently, on October 10, 47 divisions from the former Imperial Japanese Army officially surrendered to Chinese military officials and allied representatives at the Forbidden City in Beijing. The broader context of rehabilitation and reconstruction after the protracted war was daunting, with the Nationalists weakened and Chiang Kai-shek's policies contributing to Mao Zedong's strengthened position, shaping the early dynamics of the resumption of the Chinese Civil War. Meanwhile, on September 9, Hodge landed the 7th Division at Inchon to begin the occupation of South Korea. In the throne room of the Governor's Palace at Keijo, soon to be renamed Seoul, the surrender instrument was signed by General Abe Nobuyuki, the Governor-General of Korea; Lieutenant-General Kozuki Yoshio, commander of the 17th Area Army and of the Korean Army; and Vice-Admiral Yamaguchi Gisaburo, commander of the Japanese Naval Forces in Korea. The sequence continued with the 25th Indian Division landing in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan on Malaya to capture Port Dickson, while Lieutenant-General Teshima Fusataro's 2nd Army officially surrendered to General Blamey at Morotai, enabling Australian occupation of much of the eastern Dutch East Indies. On September 10, the Japanese garrisons on the Wotje and Maloelap Atolls in the Marshalls surrendered, and Lieutenant-General Baba Masao surrendered all Japanese forces in North Borneo to General Wootten's 9th Australian Division. After Imamura's surrender, Major-General Kenneth Eather's 11th Australian Division landed at Rabaul to begin occupation, and the garrison on Muschu and Kairiru Islands also capitulated. On September 11, General Adachi finally surrendered his 18th Army in the Wewak area, concluding the bloody New Guinea Campaign, while Major-General Yamamura Hyoe's 71st Independent Mixed Brigade surrendered at Kuching and Lieutenant-General Watanabe Masao's 52nd Independent Mixed Brigade surrendered on Ponape Island in the Carolines. Additionally, the 20th Indian Division, with French troops, arrived at Saigon as part of Operation Masterdom and accepted the surrender of Lieutenant-General Tsuchihashi Yuitsu, who had already met with Viet Minh envoys and agreed to turn power over to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.  When the Japanese surrendered to the Allies on 15 August 1945, the Viet Minh immediately launched the insurrection they had prepared for a long time. Across the countryside, “People's Revolutionary Committees” took over administrative positions, often acting on their own initiative, and in the cities the Japanese stood by as the Vietnamese took control. By the morning of August 19, the Viet Minh had seized Hanoi, rapidly expanding their control over northern Vietnam in the following days. The Nguyen dynasty, with its puppet government led by Tran Trong Kim, collapsed when Emperor Bao Dai abdicated on August 25. By late August, the Viet Minh controlled most of Vietnam. On 2 September, in Hanoi's Ba Dinh Square, Ho Chi Minh proclaimed the independence of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. As the Viet Minh began extending control across the country, the new government's attention turned to the arrival of Allied troops and the French attempt to reassert colonial authority, signaling the onset of a new and contentious phase in Vietnam's struggle.  French Indochina had been left in chaos by the Japanese occupation. On 11 September British and Indian troops of the 20th Indian Division under Major General Douglas Gracey arrived at Saigon as part of Operation Masterdom. After the Japanese surrender, all French prisoners had been gathered on the outskirts of Saigon and Hanoi, and the sentries disappeared on 18 September; six months of captivity cost an additional 1,500 lives. By 22 September 1945, all prisoners were liberated by Gracey's men, armed, and dispatched in combat units toward Saigon to conquer it from the Viet Minh, later joined by the French Far East Expeditionary Corps, established to fight the Japanese arriving a few weeks later. Around the same time, General Lu Han's 200,000 Chinese National Revolutionary Army troops of the 1st Front Army occupied Indochina north of the 16th parallel, with 90,000 arriving by October; the 62nd Army came on 26 September to Nam Dinh and Haiphong, Lang Son and Cao Bang were occupied by the Guangxi 62nd Army Corps, and the Red River region and Lai Cai were occupied by a column from Yunnan. Lu Han occupied the French governor-general's palace after ejecting the French staff under Sainteny. Consequently, while General Lu Han's Chinese troops occupied northern Indochina and allowed the Vietnamese Provisional Government to remain in control there, the British and French forces would have to contest control of Saigon. On September 12, a surrender instrument was signed at the Singapore Municipal Building for all Southern Army forces in Southeast Asia, the Dutch East Indies, and the eastern islands; General Terauchi, then in a hospital in Saigon after a stroke, learned of Burma's fall and had his deputy commander and leader of the 7th Area Army, Lieutenant-General Itagaki Seishiro, surrender on his behalf to Mountbatten, after which a British military administration was formed to govern the island until March 1946. The Japanese Burma Area Army surrendered the same day as Mountbatten's ceremony in Singapore, and Indian forces in Malaya reached Kuala Lumpur to liberate the Malay capital, though the British were slow to reestablish control over all of Malaya, with eastern Pahang remaining beyond reach for three more weeks. On September 13, the Japanese garrisons on Nauru and Ocean Islands surrendered to Brigadier John Stevenson, and three days later Major-General Okada Umekichi and Vice-Admiral Fujita Ruitaro formally signed the instrument of surrender at Hong Kong. In the meantime, following the Allied call for surrender, Japan had decided to grant Indonesian independence to complicate Dutch reoccupation: Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta signed Indonesia's Proclamation of Independence on August 17 and were appointed president and vice-president the next day, with Indonesian youths spreading news across Java via Japanese news and telegraph facilities and Bandung's news broadcast by radio. The Dutch, as the former colonial power, viewed the republicans as collaborators with the Japanese and sought to restore their colonial rule due to lingering political and economic interests in the former Dutch East Indies, a stance that helped trigger a four-year war for Indonesian independence. Fighting also erupted in Sumatra and the Celebes, though the 26th Indian Division managed to land at Padang on October 10. On October 21, Lieutenant-General Tanabe Moritake and Vice-Admiral Hirose Sueto surrendered all Japanese forces on Sumatra, yet British control over the country would dwindle in the ensuing civil conflict. Meanwhile, Formosa (Taiwan) was placed under the control of the Kuomintang-led Republic of China by General Order No. 1 and the Instrument of Surrender; Chiang Kai-shek appointed General Chen Yi as Chief Executive of Taiwan Province and commander of the Taiwan Garrison Command on September 1. After several days of preparation, an advance party moved into Taihoku on October 5, with additional personnel arriving from Shanghai and Chongqing between October 5 and 24, and on October 25 General Ando Rikichi signed the surrender document at Taipei City Hall. But that's the end for this week, and for the Pacific War.  Boy oh boy, its been a long journey hasn't it? Now before letting you orphans go into the wild, I will remind you, while this podcast has come to an end, I still write and narrate Kings and Generals Eastern Front week by week and the Fall and Rise of China Podcasts. Atop all that I have my own video-podcast Echoes of War, that can be found on Youtube or all podcast platforms. I really hope to continue entertaining you guys, so if you venture over to the other podcasts, comment you came from here! I also have some parting gifts to you all, I have decided to release a few Pacific War related exclusive episodes from my Youtuber Membership / patreon at www.patreon.com/pacificwarchannel. At the time I am writing this, over there I have roughly 32 episodes, one is uploaded every month alongside countless other goodies. Thank you all for being part of this long lasting journey. Kings and Generals literally grabbed me out of the blue when I was but a small silly person doing youtube videos using an old camera, I have barely gotten any better at it. I loved making this series, and I look forward to continuing other series going forward! You know where to find me, if you have any requests going forward the best way to reach me is just comment on my Youtube channel or email me, the email address can be found on my youtube channel. This has been Craig of the Pacific War Channel and narrator of the Pacific war week by week podcast, over and out!

Nuro Cofounder Dave Ferguson talks with TITV Host Akash Pasricha about the Uber robo-taxi partnership. We also break down NVIDIA's Q2 earnings with SemiAnalysis' Doug O'Laughlin, Seaport Research Partners' Jay Goldberg and The Information's Anissa Gardizy , and we get into Google's potential AdTech spinoff with our reporter Cathy Perloff.TITV airs on YouTube, X and LinkedIn at 10AM PT / 1PM ET. Or check us out wherever you get your podcasts.Subscribe to The Information: https://www.theinformation.com/subscribe_hSign up for the AI Agenda newsletter: https://www.theinformation.com/features/ai-agenda

Send me a messageFleet sustainability isn't just about going electric, it's about smart planning, cultural buy-in, and tackling operational friction head-on. In this episode of the Sustainable Supply Chain podcast, I'm joined by Steve Saltzgiver, Director of Fleet Success at RTA Fleet, who brings over 40 years of public and private sector experience in managing and modernising fleets.We get into the real-world obstacles holding back fleet decarbonisation - politics, procurement cycles, and the ever-persistent myth that owning a car qualifies someone to manage a fleet. Steve talks about how electrification is progressing unevenly across the US, why right-sizing and right-typing fleets are essential first steps, and how even basic maintenance practices can yield massive emissions savings.We also touch on the growing role of data in fleet operations - how VMRS codes, utilisation metrics, and carbon baselining can turn strategy into action. Steve shares stories from his time working with governments, utilities, and large enterprises, and reflects on the cultural transformation needed to make sustainability stick.Whether you manage a municipal fleet or oversee logistics in a Fortune 500 company, this episode is packed with grounded, practical advice for making fleets leaner, cleaner, and smarter.

Manhattan Down by Michael Cordy On the anniversary eve of the 9/11 terror attack, New York swelters under a heat dome of record temperatures. Even the global leaders assembled at the UN HQ are forced to admit that the climate crisis has reached boiling point and the world's time is running out. That same day, at precisely 5-25 p.m., everyone on Manhattan Island - every man, woman and child, including all the world leaders at the UN - falls unconscious. Everyone that is, except for Samantha Rossi, a single mother reeling from devastating personal news and Nick Lockwood, a wounded NYPD detective who wakes from a coma just as the City That Never Sleeps falls into one. Rossi's first concern is her daughter. Lockwood's is his city. As night draws in, they must work together to unravel the mystery of what has happened and why. Each must decide how far they will go and what lines they will cross to save what matters most to them. Manhattan Down is a pulse-pounding contemporary thriller which dares to imagine the unimaginable, a leaderless world being held to ransom by forces unknown for reasons unknown. The questions it asks are terrifying - and so are some of the answers. The Cut Throat Trial by S.J. Fleet, The Secret Barrister It is one of the biggest trials of the year. Three seventeen-year-old boys are accused of the brutal murder of an elderly teacher on New Year's Eve. Each boy denies it. Each points the finger at the other two. But they can't all be innocent. The three defence barristers have only one job: to persuade the jury that their client is not guilty. But they're up against a prosecutor who needs to win the case, no matter the cost. Because when the game is murder, the competition is deadly. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send us a textFor nearly 70 years, Blain's Farm & Fleet has stood as a trusted destination for rural and suburban consumers across the Midwest—earning its reputation as the “modern general store” through a steadfast commitment to community, convenience, and customer loyalty. In this edition of Leaders in Customer Loyalty: Brand Stories, we sat down with Aly Blawat, who leads Customer Research, Insights, Personalization Strategy, and Loyalty at Blain's Farm & Fleet, to learn more about how the brand continues to evolve its value proposition, listen deeply to its customers, and execute a loyalty strategy that's both personal and purpose-driven. 

Rylan Hamilton and Austin Gray are co-founders of Blue Water Autonomy, a venture-backed defense tech startup designing and building the next generation of autonomous ships for the U.S. Navy and beyond. Hamilton began his career as a Surface Warfare Officer in the Navy before moving into robotics. He joined Kiva Systems (later Amazon Robotics), where he scaled warehouse automation from thousands to tens of thousands of robots, and went on to co-found a robotics company acquired by Shopify for hundreds of millions. Gray started as a Navy intelligence officer, later helped launch defense tech initiatives at MIT, and spent time in a Ukrainian drone factory before turning to maritime autonomy. Together, they founded Blue Water Autonomy to tackle one of America's most pressing challenges: revitalizing shipbuilding and expanding the Navy's fleet with cost-effective, autonomous vessels. In this episode of Defense Tech Underground, we sit down with Rylan and Austin to explore how autonomy at sea is reshaping the future of maritime power. We cover: Engineering autonomy – solving the hard problems of redundancy, endurance, and reliability in ocean-going ships without crews. The hybrid fleet vision – how unmanned vessels will complement destroyers, frigates, and carriers, carrying payloads without putting sailors at risk. Crawl, walk, run – why a phased approach to shipbuilding beats the Navy's traditional “build once for 40 years” model. Dual-use opportunity – where autonomy at sea can extend to commercial sectors like tugs, ferries, and logistics, once regulatory barriers fall. Founder lessons – obsession, grit, and timing: why conviction matters, and what advice they'd give to future defense tech entrepreneurs. This conversation highlights how two veterans turned robotics entrepreneurs are bringing private capital, Silicon Valley speed, and deep Navy experience to one of the hardest problems in defense: building ships faster, smarter, and more resilient. This episode is hosted by Josh Pickering and Jeff Phaneuf.   Full Bios: Rylan Hamilton Rylan Hamilton is co-founder and CEO of Blue Water Autonomy. He served as a Surface Warfare Officer in the U.S. Navy before beginning a career in robotics at Kiva Systems, which was later acquired by Amazon to become Amazon Robotics. He co-founded 6 River Systems, a warehouse robotics company that scaled globally before being acquired by Shopify. Hamilton brings two decades of experience at the intersection of defense, robotics, and entrepreneurship to leading Blue Water Autonomy. Austin Gray Austin Gray is co-founder and President of Blue Water Autonomy. He began his career as a Navy intelligence officer, serving on aircraft carriers in the Middle East and South China Sea before earning his MBA at Harvard Business School. He co-founded and helped run the MIT–Harvard Defense Tech Initiative and worked in Ukraine's drone sector before turning his focus to maritime autonomy.

We get some early looks at The Jade Fleet and how Empire and Cathay work together. Plus, Josh is home, and regales us with his exploits at Castle AssaultWe may even find out what happened to Andrew's 5th game??

Sign up for my newsletter to receive fresh posts, encouragement, and Bible reflections straight to your inbox. There is a blog post that accompanies this episode at PrMarlon.comConnect with me.Check out our church at Cloverdale.orgThe intro music Fleet of Happy Fingers by Ryan Bell

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. This week…there's a shadow fleet of tankers trading the world's oceans – by some estimates nearly 2,000 tankers, about a fifth of the global tanker fleet. The ships evade international law, break embargoes, and can cause economic and ecological havoc. Michelle Wiese Bockmann is an expert on the deceptions, and she'll join us to talk about the strategic and security threats this growing fleet poses to worldwide security. Please send us feedback by DM'ing @CavasShips or @CSSProvision or you can email chriscavas@gmail.com or cservello@defaeroreport.com.

In this episode of the Inside the Markets series from GMS Podcasts, we focus on China, the world's largest shipowning nation and one of the most influential players in global shipping. While the fleet is extensive, recycling volumes remain limited, with many transactions taking place off-market or redirected to domestic use. Jamie Dalzell, Head of the GMS Singapore Office, speaks with Leo Liu, Head of the GMS China Office, about how Chinese shipowners are managing ship recycling under the Hong Kong Convention (HKC) and how regional market conditions are shaping their decisions. The discussion covers: Why Chinese shipowners extend vessel lifespans and keep recycling volumes low HKC compliance among state-owned and private owners with international exposure Current vessel types moving to recycling including handy and small bulkers, coastal ships, and feeder containerships Pricing outlook with LDT values ranging from 405 to 455 USD and why sellers remain cautious Market updates from Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan and what these mean for Chinese sellers From bulk carriers to feeder containerships, Leo shares insight into how Chinese shipowners approach recycling, sales, and compliance.   Follow GMS Podcasts for market intelligence and regional updates from our country heads in Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Subscribe to the GMS Podcast and follow GMS on LinkedIn for future updates and discussions.  

Welcome back to the Green Side Up Podcast! In this lively, in-person episode recorded live from the trade show floor at the 2024 Landscape Show in Orlando, Jason and Jordan reconnects with Giovanni and Enrique, the innovative founders behind Fleet Fresh—a plant-based deodorizer designed for fleet vehicles and more. Hear the fascinating story of how a background in the marine industry and a knack for problem-solving led to the creation of a unique, all-American product now distributed through Site One. The conversation covers everything from the science of tea tree oil, the challenges of manufacturing and scaling up, to the real-world impact on stinky trucks and even a few laughs about dogs, family, and business hustle. Whether you're a fleet manager, landscaper, or just love a good entrepreneurial journey, this episode is packed with insights, humor, and inspiration. Don't miss it! Connect with Jason and Jordan:

Don examines the chilling stories behind an eccentric motorized expedition to the North Pole, a frozen feat of nautical engineering during World War II and a carnival creature in an ice block. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Burn the data. Start fresh. The past you is holding your fleet hostage."  Detailed Episode SummaryIn this episode of The Fleet Success Show, Josh Turley and Marc Canton tackle one of the most contentious topics in fleet management: data retention. From government fleets clutching onto 26 years of work orders to fleet managers hoarding “just in case” data, they dismantle the myths about keeping everything forever.They explore why data older than five years is almost always useless for analytics, how “garbage in, garbage out” isn't just a cliché, and why old data often comes with old bad habits baked in. Along the way, they unpack sunk cost fallacy in a fleet context, the hidden dangers of “organizational garbage,” and why purging or rolling up data can speed up your fleet maintenance management software and help you focus on what actually matters today.With plenty of real-world examples, humor, and a few spicy analogies (think Marie Kondo meets fleet management), Josh and Marc show how a clean data start can set you — and your future fleet managers — up for massive success. Key Takeaways5 years or less of historical data is sufficient for most fleet analytics — older data is often irrelevant.Old data often carries inconsistent practices from multiple fleet managers, creating “organizational garbage.”Hoarding data “just in case” is driven by fear, but it often slows down systems and clutters decision-making.Rolling up or archiving old data keeps it accessible without polluting your active fleet maintenance system.A new FMIS implementation is the perfect opportunity to clean house — and resist carrying over bad processes.Your metrics should drive your data collection, not the other way around. Speaker BiosJosh Turley – CEO of RTA: The Fleet Success Company. With over two decades in fleet management and software innovation, Josh leads RTA's mission to help fleets save $1 billion. Known for his strategic vision and no-nonsense approach, Josh is passionate about empowering fleets through better processes, technology, and leadership.Marc Canton – Fleet Consultant & Data Analytics Expert at RTA. Marc brings nearly 30 years of fleet experience, including 20 years running Fordham University's fleet in NYC and a decade in consulting. He specializes in helping fleets leverage data to make smarter, faster, and more profitable decisions.

Send us a textBack in September 2021, we interviewed Matt Leis, and in Episode 149 we're catching up with him again to hear about his transition from the golf course to sports fields. Matt is now the Manager of Fleet & Irrigation at the Papago Baseball Complex for the San Francisco Giants Baseball Club in Phoenix, AZ. The 40-acre complex is home to player development and Minor League operations, featuring six full fields, auxiliary surfaces, and a 15,000 sq. ft. facility. As the solo technician in the shop, Matt oversees a Toro fleet, preventive maintenance, and the RainBird irrigation and pump systems while supporting the Field Operations team. We dive into the unique challenges of sports fields—precision grading, grooming artificial turf, finding cleats in mowers—and how the players' calendar drives cultural practices. Matt also shares how refereeing college football fits into his busy schedule, along with his professional growth through the GCSAA EMCP and CTEM programs and the Toro Grounds Leadership Academy. Tweet us @ReelTurfTechs and @MTrentManning Email us at ReelTurfTechs@gmail.com Check out our YouTube Channel

In this episode of Designed for Advantage, host Tony Skinner speaks with Rafael's VP of business development and marketing, Gideon Weiss, and Commander ‘K', a naval surface warfare and air defence expert, about how navies are adapting to an era of bold, asymmetric threats at sea.From swarming drones in the Red Sea to precision missile strikes in the Black Sea, the maritime threat landscape is shifting fast. The discussion explores:How multi-domain threats are reshaping naval air defence and counter-UAS (CUAS) strategies.The economics of modern naval warfare and ammunition management during high-intensity operations.The role of layered, modular and radar-agnostic defence systems, including the TYPHOON Mk 30, C-Dome and Naval Iron Beam.Real-world examples of how Rafael systems are deployed to counter UAV swarms and sea-skimming missiles.How high-energy laser systems could deliver near-zero-cost-per-shot interception and “endless magazine” potential at sea.Rafael's approach to interoperability, open architecture and strategic partnerships with navies and shipyards worldwide.Whether you are a defence leader, naval operator or industry watcher, this conversation offers operational insights and a forward-looking perspective on maritime security.

Rancho Mesa's Alyssa Burley and Vice President of the Landscape and Tree Care Group, Drew Garcia, talk about the importance of training landscape fleet drivers.Show Notes: ⁠⁠https: ⁠Subscribe to Rancho Mesa's Newsletter⁠Director/Host: ⁠⁠⁠Alyssa Burley⁠⁠⁠Guest: ⁠⁠⁠Drew Garcia⁠⁠⁠Producer/Editor: ⁠Jadyn BrandtMusic: "Home" by JHS Pedals, “Breaking News Intro” by nem0production© Copyright 2025. Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc. All rights reserved.

Get hooked on today's Morning Briefing! The long range fleet is reeling in blazing-fast wahoo, while Southern California anglers are scoring big with epic bluefin tuna, feisty yellowtail, hard-fighting white seabass, and trophy halibut. Tune in for the latest fishing reports, expert tips, and insights on where the bite is hottest in SoCal waters and beyond. Whether you're chasing pelagics or fishing local, this briefing has everything you need for your next adventure!

There is a blog post that accompanies this episode at PrMarlon.comConnect with me.Check out our church at Cloverdale.orgThe intro music Fleet of Happy Fingers by Ryan Bell

US Navy: Sea going drones and the fleet. Jim Holmes @GordonGChang, Gatestone, Newsweek, The Hill

We explore the duties and challenges of military chaplains from two nations: Britain and Canada. Ian Wheatley, recorded at the Defence Ministry in Westminster, London, serves as Chaplain of the Fleet of the Royal Navy in the United Kingdom. Next, we visit with Padre Guy Chapdelaine, a soft-spoken Canadian who currently serves as Chaplain General […]

In the first of a two-part discussion, defence expert Lee Pilgrim provides some common sense, but possibly provocative, suggestions on how to sort out the mess in which the Royal Navy currently finds itself. In this wide-ranging part one chat Lee considers the current state of the RN - underperforming against the budget given to it - and recommends some radical cures for what ails the Naval Service. These include getting rid of surface warships and submarines that never go to sea in order to ensure the rest of the Fleet is out there being more active. In this discussion Lee highlights the need to return the Royal Navy to being a proper fighting force. That was a desire expressed by the new First Sea Lord when he took office recently. In light of that Lee also outlines some of the risks that are being stacked up due to key naval capabilities being hollowed out. Lee provides numerous robust opinions, not least about MoD inefficiency, and the crucial need for a new kind of Submarine Service that mixes conventional boats with nuclear-powered ones to properly tackle its tasks. He also mentions the decline of UK amphibious warfare forces - and a whole lot more! It is fascinating discussion with podcast host Iain Ballantyne and there will be more prescriptions offered by Dr Lee in part two, which will be out soon. •Lee Pilgrim has worked in defence and intelligence - for government and industry - for over 30 years both in the UK and overseas, so has some useful insights into a whole load of interesting things. His social media posts on X are well worth a read. Follow him on that platform @MtarfaL He has also written several articles for Warships IFR and is contributing to our forthcoming ‘Guide to the Royal Navy 2026.' •Iain Ballantyne is the founding and current Editor of Warships IFR (first published in 1998) along with its ‘Guide to the Royal Navy' (since 2002) and ‘Guide to the US Navy' (since 2018). Iain is also author of the books ‘Hunter Killers' (Orion) and ‘The Deadly Trade' (Weidenfeld & Nicolson), both about submarine warfare, plus ‘Arnhem: Ten Days in The Cauldron' (published by Canelo). In 2017 Iain was awarded a Fellowship by the British Maritime Foundation, which promotes awareness of the United Kingdom's dependence on the sea and seafarers. Visit his web site Bismarckbattle.com and follow him on X @IBallantyn The new (Sept) edition of Warships IFR is out this week in the UK and also being deployed globally. Visit the magazine web site http://bit.ly/wifrmag  Follow us on X @WarshipsIFR Facebook @WarshipsIFR and Warships IFR TV on YouTube @warshipsifrtv3668  To subscribe to the magazine's digital and/or hard copy variants https://warshipsifr.com/subscriptions/ The ‘Guide to the Royal Navy 2026' mentioned in this podcast episode will be published later this year.

The guys start a new ‘recommendation' series about the top cars, trucks and SUVs they would buy. This episode begins with sports cars, and they each name and discuss the reasons for their top 5. They also debate first sports cars for Michael in LA, who has finally decided it's time. Then, Nerval W. has an aging fleet and a decent budget—what stays and what goes? For Car Conclusions, Jordan L. writes about his Bahrain saga, and Tomas B. wishes the CTS-V wagon were available in the UK for his growing family. Audio-only MP3 is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and 10 other platforms. Look for us on Tuesdays if you'd like to watch us debate, disagree and then go drive again! 00:00 - Intro 01:08 - Mercedes Onslaught Of New Cars 03:49 - Cybertruck Dumpster Target Practice 08:29 - GM + Hyundai: Just A Handshake? Or Something Deeper? 12:06 - The ZR-1 & ZR-1X ‘Ring Records: Is There More Speed? 22:18 - What If Max & Lewis Left F1? 22:43 - Dodge Sells Engines: Coke Classic Is Back! 30:14 - Topic Tuesday: Top 5 Sports Cars Under $50K 57:49 - Car Debate #1: The First Sports Car 1:11:49 - Car Debate #2: The Aging Fleet 1:19:22 - Car Conclusion #1: The Bahrain Saga 1:26:24 - Car Conclusion #2: It's All For The Kids, Really 1:30:00 - Did You See This? Shows To Binge: SILO and Paradise 1:34:06 - Audience Questions On Social Media Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last time we spoke about the atomic bombing of Nagasaki. In the summer of 1945, Japan faced its most devastating siege, characterized by an aerial campaign called "Starvation" that crippled its industrial capabilities. As resources dwindled and chaos reigned, the Allies intensified their firebombing efforts, targeting major cities. By July, Japan was on the brink of collapse, culminating in the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, where over 140,000 lives were altered or lost in a blinding flash. As the nation reeled from the destruction, the Japanese leadership was torn between surrender and continuing the fight. They faced not just the threat of American bombs, but also a Soviet invasion looming on the horizon. Days after Hiroshima, the atomic bomb "Fat Man" was dropped on Nagasaki on August 9, resulting in catastrophic casualties and extensive industrial losses. This attack further devastated an already weakened Japan, leaving the Emperor and his government grappling with the dire consequences. This episode is the Invasion of Manchuria Welcome to the Pacific War Podcast Week by Week, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about world war two? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on world war two and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel you can find a few videos all the way from the Opium Wars of the 1800's until the end of the Pacific War in 1945.    August 9 stands as a catastrophic day in Japanese history. On this day, the nation faced the devastating impact of a second atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki, along with the relentless Soviet invasion of Manchuria. Admiral Ivan Yumashev's Pacific Fleet moved to disrupt Japan's maritime communications in the Sea of Japan and provide support for offensive operations. At the same time, Soviet air forces targeted cities across Northeast Asia, striking both Manchuria and North Korea, as well as Japanese convoys in the Sea of Japan. General Twinning led a diversionary B-29 raid on Amagasaki, followed by a significant attack involving 108 aircraft on the rail yards at Marifu. In addition, Admiral Halsey's 3rd Fleet launched more strikes against airfields in northern Honshu and Hokkaido, where U.S. intelligence suspected a large Japanese air fleet and commando force was preparing for a desperate mission to Okinawa. Japanese paratroopers were gearing up for a new mission, codenamed Ken-go, but this time their target wasn't Okinawa. Similar to the earlier May 24 Raid on Yontan Airfield, Lieutenant General Sugawara Michio's Giretsu Kuteitai, also known as the “Heroic Paratroopers,” set their sights on the B-29 complex in the Mariana Islands for nighttime suicide raids. This operation marked the second planned assault on bases within the Mariana Islands, specifically aimed at destroying B-29 bombers. The plan involved deploying 60 transport aircraft to deliver 900 commandos during the nights of August 19 to 23. Around 300 personnel from Lieutenant Commander Daiji Yamaoka's 1st Kure Special Naval Landing Force initiated preparations at the end of June. Originally established for submarine-delivered raids on U.S.-held islands, these forces were now adapted to be flown in 30 Mitsubishi G4M 'Betty' twin-engine bombers, which had the necessary range for an unrefueled, one-way trip to the Marianas. The raid was initially scheduled for July 24. However, ten days earlier, U.S. carrier-based warplanes had attacked Misawa naval air base on Honshu Island, damaging or destroying many of the operation's bombers. Consequently, the raid was postponed to August 19, with the addition of 30 transport planes and 300 paratroopers from the army's 1st Raiding Regiment. Ultimately, however, on August 15, Japan surrendered, and Operation Ken-go was cancelled. Meanwhile, Admiral Shafroth's Bombardment Group unleashed heavy damage on the Kamaishi steel mill. The day after, to assist the Soviets, Halsey ordered additional airstrikes on northern Japanese airfields, causing extensive destruction. However, these were not isolated incidents; they were part of a sustained air-sea siege that had been intensifying for several months. The Allied blockade of Japan had severely impacted food imports, and industrial activity had nearly ground to a halt due to the ongoing blockade and bombings. By this point, six of Japan's ten largest cities had been completely destroyed, and over sixty smaller cities had been reduced to ashes from relentless incendiary raids. This scenario was a powerful manifestation of War Plan Orange in action. More critically, with the reality of Hiroshima's destruction echoing loudly, the Japanese government now grappled with the impending threat of complete annihilation, a grim reality they had never faced before in this war. Though they had recognized their defeat with the loss of Saipan and the initial Yawata raid, the stubborn resolve of the Japanese leadership had pushed them to prolong the conflict for an agonizing 14 months, clinging to the hope of a different outcome. Many now believed that peace was the only path to survival for the Japanese nation. As the crisis intensified, Prime Minister Suzuki and his cabinet engaged in heated discussions. He sought to persuade War Minister General Anami Korechika and Chief of the Army General Staff General Umezu Yoshijiro to accept the Potsdam Declaration on August 9. However, Suzuki and the militants could only agree that if there were any surrender, then it should ensure that the "national polity" or imperial family would continue in any postwar settlement. Anami and Umezu pushed for further, more favourable conditions. First, Japan would demobilize and disarm any IJA or IJN forces overseas. Second, Japanese courts would prosecute any war criminals. Third, after surrender the Allies would not occupy Japan. Chief of the Navy General Staff, Admiral Toyoda Soemu, agreed with Anami and Umezu. To break this deadlock, it became necessary to involve the Emperor directly. Around 2:00 AM on August 10, the cabinet convened with Emperor Hirohito, who ultimately agreed to accept the Potsdam Declaration and ordered an end to all military efforts, initiating the surrender process. Faced with no viable alternatives, all present reached a unanimous agreement. That morning, the Japanese government, through Swedish and Swiss intermediaries, sent an offer to accept the Potsdam Declaration, stipulating one condition: there would be no change to Japan's government structure, with Hirohito retaining his title as Emperor and sovereign ruler. Months afte the war Hirohito said this about his decision to surrender “The main motive behind my decision at that time was that if we . . . did not act, the Japanese race would perish and I would be unable to protect my loyal subjects [sekishi—literally, “children”]. Second, Kido agreed with me on the matter of defending the kokutai. If the enemy landed near Ise Bay, both Ise and Atsuta Shrines would immediately come under their control. There would be no time to transfer the sacred treasures [regalia] of the imperial family and no hope of protecting them. Under these circumstances, protection of the kokutai would be difficult. For these reasons, I thought at the time that I must make peace even at the sacrifice of myself.” Simultaneously, a new military campaign was underway, and several units of General Yamada's Kwantung Army were unexpectedly caught off-guard in Manchuria. In response, he implemented emergency measures and ordered commands to proceed with their plans for delaying operations. Upon learning of the Soviet declaration of war and the subsequent invasion led by Marshal Vasilevsky's Far East Command, Tokyo decided to place General Kozuki's 17th Area Army under the Kwantung Army. Furthermore, they instructed General Okamura Yasuji's China Expeditionary Army to transfer one army headquarters, along with six divisions and six brigades, to support this effort. As directed by Tokyo, the primary objective of the Kwantung Army was to defend Japanese territory in Korea. However, by the end of the first day of conflict, several border observation units had been completely destroyed while attempting to defend their positions. In the east, Lieutenant General Shimizu Noritsune's 5th Army, supported by the reinforced 128th Division, was confronting the main assault by Marshal Meretskov's 1st Far Eastern Front. To the south, Lieutenant General Murakami Keisaku's 3rd Army was engaged in defending against multiple penetrations along the border. In the northern sector, the 134th Division at Chiamussu was withdrawing towards Fangcheng, as planned, while flames engulfed Japanese houses in the city. General Uemura's 4th Army was preparing to face what they expected to be the main assault from General Purkayev's 2nd Far Eastern Front. Meanwhile, the 119th Division had already departed Hailar for Wunoerh, leaving only the 80th Independent Mixed Brigade behind. To the west, Lieutenant General Hongo Yoshio's 44th Army was confronting the formidable armored spearhead of Marshal Malinovsky's Transbaikal Front. Southwest of their position, the 108th Division was redeploying to the Chinhsien area. On August 10, the offensive led by Vasilevsky continued, as Colonel General Ivan Managarov's 53rd Army began crossing the border behind the now distant 6th Guards Tank Army. Recognizing that the 44th Army was not prepared to engage the overwhelming enemy armor in guerrilla warfare across the expansive terrain of western Manchuria, General Ushiroku made the independent decision to order Hongo to retreat to the Dairen-Hsinking line. This was where Lieutenant General Iida Shojiro's 30th Army was already establishing defensive positions. This decision contradicted Yamada's main strategy, which called for delaying the enemy advance at the borders.  Faced with what they deemed an illegal order, the Kwantung Army Headquarters convened an urgent staff conference. During this meeting, several opinions emerged: a sudden shift from established plans would likely create confusion; any attempt to counterattack after a withdrawal would likely fail if the enemy advanced quickly; and abandoning forward airfields prematurely would enable the enemy to advance unimpeded. To most participants, General Ushiroku's decision seemed to deliver a potentially fatal blow to the overall operational direction of the Kwantung Army Headquarters. However, since the 44th Army had already begun its withdrawal as ordered by General Ushiroku, Kwantung Army Headquarters was left with a fait accompli. Thus, they felt compelled to uphold the decision of the Third Area Army Commander, which was subsequently approved by General Yamada. Meanwhile, General Pliyev's cavalry-mechanized units advanced rapidly toward Kalgan and Dolonnor, reaching the foothills of the Grand Khingan Mountains. General Danilov's 17th Army also continued to encounter weak resistance, covering an additional 40 kilometers. General Lyudnikov's 39th Army bypassed the encircled 107th Division in the Halung-Arshaan and Wuchakou Fortified Regions. Here, the 5th Guards Rifle Corps moved toward Solun and Tepossi, while the 113th Rifle Corps advanced southeast toward Wangyemiao. The 94th Rifle Corps had to divert southward to support the 124th Rifle Division. In the east, General Luchinsky's 36th Army launched ongoing attacks against Hailar, with the 2nd Rifle Corps bypassing it to the east. Meanwhile, General Kravchenko's 6th Guards Tank Army reorganized its right-wing column and began crossing the Grand Khingan Mountains during the night, with both columns entering the central Manchurian plain by August 11. To the east, Meretskov continued his offensive. The 17th, 65th, and 72nd Rifle Corps of General Krylov's 5th Army advanced swiftly west and south, ultimately securing Machiacho, Laotsaiying, Suiyang, and Suifenho. This maneuver widened the zone of penetration to 75 kilometers and forced the 126th and 135th Divisions to withdraw their main forces to Yehho. In support, General Beloborodov's 1st Red Banner Army to the north broke through into open terrain, pushing rapidly westward to occupy parts of the cities of Pamientung and Lishuchen, along with their vital bridges across the Muleng River. Further south, General Chistyakov's 25th Army captured Tungning and successfully reduced its fortified region. Units in that area also secured Tumentzu, Hunchun, and Wuchiatzu. Lastly, General Zakhvatayev's 35th Army continued its operations far to the north. The 264th Rifle Division and the 109th Fortified Region seized Hutou and initiated a movement west along the railroad toward Hulin, while the 363rd and 66th Rifle Divisions pressed on with their advance northwestward. In northern Manchuria, General Purkayev continued his main assault, with General Mamonov's 15th Army reconnoitering key enemy strongholds south of the Amur River. After successfully crossing the river, the 34th Rifle Division and the 203rd Tank Brigade occupied Lopei and advanced through Fenghsiang to bypass the Hsingshanchen Fortified Region, leaving a force behind to reduce it. Meanwhile, the 361st Rifle Division captured Tungchiang, and the 388th Rifle Division secured Chienchingkou, preparing for an advance toward Fuchin. In support of these operations, General Pashkov's 5th Rifle Corps cleared Japanese forces from the Jaoho Fortified Region, while General Teryokhin's 2nd Red Banner Army was preparing to launch its offensive the following morning. On August 11, forward units landed at Heiho, Aihun, and Holomoching under the cover of artillery fire, quickly establishing a beachhead as additional forces crossed the Amur. However, due to a lack of crossing equipment, it took five days to transport all units across the river. Consequently, Teryokhin had to commit his forces piecemeal against the 123rd Division and the 135th Independent Mixed Brigade. This was not the only new offensive operation initiated by Purkayev on this day. A new target had emerged: South Sakhalin, known as Karafuto to the Japanese. As per Vasilevsky's plans, Major-General Leonty Cheremisov's 16th Army was deployed on North Sakhalin and along the mainland coast of the Tatar Strait, stretching from Sovetskaya Gavan to Nikolaevsk-on-Amur. If the invasion of Manchuria continued to progress favorably, this force was set to attack the Japanese-controlled portion of the island alongside the Northern Pacific Flotilla, commanded by Vice-Admiral Vladimir Andreyev, which was prepared to conduct amphibious operations against Esutoru and Maoka on the island's west coast. Opposing the Soviet forces, General Higuchi of the 5th Area Army positioned Lieutenant General Mineki Toichiro's 88th Division in the southern part of South Sakhalin, with only the 125th Regiment stationed to the north. Sakhalin shared many characteristics with several of the Manchukuoan border areas, presenting challenging terrain for mechanized warfare. The only viable invasion route south from the border at the 50th Parallel followed the Poronay River, located more or less in the center of the island. This river flows southward, flanked to the east and west by forested mountain ranges, as well as countless swamps and bogs. Both sides recognized the strategic importance of this potential invasion route and constructed extensive fortification networks. The Japanese fortifications were collectively known as the Koton, or Haramitog, fortified region. These defenses were built in three interlinked layers, with their western flanks anchored in the mountain range and eastern flanks in the wooded, swampy river valley. The permanent defenses spanned approximately 12 kilometers in frontage and extended up to 30 kilometers in depth, containing over 350 bunkers, pillboxes, artillery positions, and similar fortifications. These were protected by an elaborate network of infantry trenches, anti-tank ditches, minefields, and barbed wire. The heavy forest and brush made it challenging to locate these defenses. While enough vegetation had been cleared to allow for effective defensive fire, sufficient cover remained to obscure them from an attacking force. Consequently, the 16th Army would confront these formidable defenses without the advantage of surprise. At daybreak on August 9, reports emerged that the Soviet Army had unexpectedly invaded Manchuria from multiple directions. By 8:00 AM, telegraph lines were cut near Handa, a village located at the center of the Russo-Japanese border in Sakhalin. An excellent military road connected Handa to Kamishikuks, a region known as the Central Military Road area. At the same time, reports indicated that enemy forces were attacking the observation posts in this area. On August 10,  observation posts were forced to withdraw as the Soviet Army gradually advanced toward our main position in the Happo Mountains, situated about 10 kilometers south of the border. That evening, it was reported that the 125th Infantry had engaged in a skirmish, during which the Isunisawa Platoon, fighting near the Handa River bridge for over five hours, was wiped out. On that same day, the commander of the Fifth Area Army declared that not only had the Army engaged Soviet forces, but civilians in the area, including office workers and laborers, had also joined the battle in a desperate attempt to halt the advancing Soviet Army. By August 13, the National Volunteer Combat Teams were summoned. The recruitment of these volunteer combat teams from the general populace was unique to the Sakhalin campaign, aimed at creating the appearance of military readiness to deter the Soviet advance. Additionally, the 125th Regiment executed demolitions while retreating to establish stronger defensive positions on the western flank of Happo Mountain, northwest of Furuton. Given the unexpectedly favorable developments in Manchuria, the invasion of South Sakhalin was authorized on August 10. General Yumashev further directed Vice-Admiral Andreyev's naval forces to commence attacks on both South Sakhalin and the Kuriles. Major General Georgii Dziuba's air forces joined the effort, conducting reconnaissance flights over key Japanese ports that revealed Toro and Esutoru were almost entirely unprotected. In the early hours of August 11, the 56th Rifle Corps crossed the border and began its main advance along the central military road but encountered resistance at Handa, where around 100 defenders held them up for an entire day. Back in northern Manchuria, the 5th Rifle Corps embarked on a challenging march southwest toward Paoching, while Mamonov launched a bombing raid followed by an attack on Fuchin, which ultimately fell after a coordinated tank-infantry assault. Concurrently, the 4th Army headquarters and the bulk of the 149th Division received orders to retreat from Tsitsihar to Harbin. To the south, the 112th Fortified Region and the 6th Field Fortified Region crossed the Muleng River south of Mishan during the night. In the following days, they collaborated with units from the 35th Army to secure the Mishan Fortified Region. More importantly, the 26th and 59th Rifle Corps successfully secured Pamientung and Lishuchen, initiating a pursuit of withdrawing Japanese forces to the west and southwest. On August 11, the 5th Army advance continued, with reinforced forward detachments of the 65th and 72nd Rifle Corps reaching the Muleng River and preparing for an advance on Mutanchiang. At this juncture, Meretskov reassessed the situation and determined that his best opportunity for successful exploitation in the front zone lay within the 25th Army area. Consequently, he attached the 17th and 88th Rifle Corps to this command and placed the 10th Mechanized Corps in army reserve. This allowed the 17th and 39th Rifle Corps to commence a coordinated advance toward Wangching, Tumen, Tunhua, and Kirin. Looking west, Pliyev's units continued to encounter minimal resistance. The 17th Army was finally nearing the western foothills of the Grand Khingan Mountains. The lead brigade of the 5th Guards Tank Corps reached Lupei, while the 7th Guards Mechanized Corps completed its crossing of the Grand Khingan Mountains. The 39th Army maintained its holding operations against the Halung-Arshaan and Wuchakou Fortified Regions, coupled with main advances toward Solun and Wangyemiao. The 2nd Rifle Corps and the 205th Tank Brigade advanced along the railroad to Yakoshih. The 94th Rifle Division, supported by air and artillery, launched an assault and captured the southwestern portion of Hailar city before being reinforced by the entire 86th Rifle Corps. Meanwhile, the Soviet operational group on the right flank of the 36th Army broke through Japanese resistance at Manchouli, moving eastward along the rail line to join the Soviet forces besieging Hailar. As the Soviet armored units in the west made an unexpectedly swift advance, they were anticipated to reach Hsinking by August 15. On this same day, Yamada decided to relocate his headquarters to Tunghua. Additionally, during the night, a small naval force successfully conducted an assault landing at Yuki in North Korea, securing the port unopposed on August 12. Simultaneously, the 393rd Rifle Division pushed south into North Korea, quickly reaching Yuki before continuing toward Rashin. There, another small naval force landed on August 12, facing minimal resistance except for artillery fire. Meanwhile, the 25th Army advanced up to 40 kilometers in its main march southwest, prompting the commitment of the 10th Mechanized Corps to exploit further toward Wangching and beyond. The 5th Army had to eliminate a strong enemy position east of Taimakou before it could resume its advance to Mutanchiang. The 1st Red Banner Army pressed forward relentlessly, with the 26th Rifle Corps successfully bypassing Tzuhsingtun to advance on Hsientung, cutting the Linkou-Mutanchiang railroad line. The 363rd Rifle Division occupied Mishan while the 264th Rifle Division secured Hulin. The 171st Tank Brigade began a challenging advance southwest toward Chiamussu as the 15th Army reduced the Fuchin fortified region. Forward detachments of the 2nd Red Banner Army engaged Japanese advanced positions south of Holomoching and north of Aihun. After reducing Handa, the 56th Rifle Corps commenced an advance toward Furuton, although it faced delays from small enemy forces. Furthermore, in western Manchuria, Pliyev's Soviet-Mongolian formations and the 17th Army continued their advance through Inner Mongolia largely unopposed for the next two days. Throughout 12 and 13 August on the Trans-Baikal Front's right flank, the Soviet-Mongolian formations of General Pliyev swept across the Inner Mongolian deserts towards Dolonnor and Kalgan at a rate of ninety to one hundred kilometers a day, rudely shunting aside local cavalry forces. Pliyev's principal concern was providing his forces in the vast desert wastes sufficient food, fuel, fodder, and water. The 6th Guards Tank Army had to temporarily halt its advance as the 7th Guards Mechanized Corps reached Tuchuan. This pause was necessary due to severe fuel shortages, requiring an increase in fuel supplies before the offensive could resume. This situation allowed Ushiroku to withdraw the 63rd and 117th Divisions before they could be engaged. However, the 107th Division was less fortunate, as it was attacked by the 5th Guards Rifle Corps on the road to Solun. On the northern flank, the 36th Army continued its siege of the Hailar fortifications while the 2nd Rifle Corps seized Yakoshih and advanced up to Wunoerh. That day, Japan also received the initial Allied response to its surrender offer, penned by Secretary of State James Byrnes and approved by the British, Chinese, and Soviet governments. A critic of the Japanese imperial system, Byrnes insisted on an unconditional surrender but remained ambiguous regarding the future of the imperial family's position. The response included a statement that Japan's future form of government should be “established by the freely expressed will of the Japanese people.” Thus, even though the Soviet and Chinese governments aimed for the abolition of the imperial system, the Japanese could choose to retain their emperor, and likely would. Meanwhile, Secretary Stimson urged President Truman to accept the peace offer immediately, believing that, without an organized surrender supported by the emperor, U.S. forces would face “a score of bloody Iwo Jimas and Okinawas” across China and Southeast Asia. He cautioned that without the immediate capitulation of the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy, rogue military commanders might continue to resist. Retaining Hirohito would also aid Allied efforts to achieve a swift and orderly reconstruction while maintaining a compliant populace. The Japanese cabinet deliberated over the Allied response, with Anami and Suzuki, among other key military figures, arguing for its rejection unless an explicit guarantee for the imperial system was provided. Ultimately, however, Foreign Minister Togo and Marquess Kido Koichi succeeded in persuading Suzuki to support the acceptance of Byrnes' reply. Meanwhile, President Truman issued instructions prohibiting any further atomic weapons from being dropped on Japan without his approval, and he later ordered a complete halt to all bombings. Despite this, Halsey's 3rd Fleet remained in the area, preparing to launch additional strikes. Admiral Rawlings' Task Force 37 unfortunately had to retire at this point, though a token force was integrated into Admiral McCain's Task Force 38 to ensure British support until the end.  The Olympic timetable had called for Third Fleet to retire to Eniwetok and Manus in mid-August, but late on the night of August 10 Missouri intercepted a cryptic radio transmission: “Through the Swiss government, Japan has stated that she is willing to accept Allied surrender ultimatum at Potsdam, provided they can keep their Emperor.” Halsey had long predicted an early Japanese collapse, and had accordingly kept his logistic pipeline full. The following morning, August 11, flagships Missouri and King George V refueled simultaneously alongside oiler USS Sabine. Halsey recalled, “I went across to the ‘Cagey Five' as we called her, on an aerial trolley, just to drink a toast with Vice Admiral Rawlings.” Although Japan teetered near collapse, TF-37 lacked its own fast oilers and would have to retire immediately. With Nimitz's permission Halsey offered to sustain a token British force with Third Fleet so that the Royal Navy would be in “at the death.” Rawlings enthusiastically accepted. After replenishment, King George V, Indefatigable, Gambia, Newfoundland, and ten destroyers were re-designated TG-38.5 and absorbed into McCain's TF-38. The rest of TF-37, under Vian, reluctantly retired for Manus. In a truly desultory attack the following day, August 12, a single Japanese plane penetrated Buckner Bay, Okinawa undetected and torpedoed TF-95's just-arrived battleship Pennsylvania. Twenty Americans were killed, while Oldendorf and nine others were wounded. Back off Honshu, Halsey canceled August 12 strikes due to a typhoon. Late that night Third Fleet intercepted a confusing and ambiguous radio bulletin announcing that Japan had, with qualifications, accepted Allied terms. After a heated staff conference Halsey decided that, without firmer information, the following day's strikes were still on. Nevertheless, the prolonged negotiations were causing the Third Fleet considerable logistical problems; Halsey recalled, “Our galleys were reduced to serving dehydrated carrot salad. If the war was over, we could provision on the spot; if it was not, we would have to retire, reprovision, and return.” That night, a group of officers led by Major Hatanaka Kenji and Colonel Arao Okikatsu approached Anami, seeking his backing for a coup d'état to prevent Japan's surrender. Anami refused, leaving Hatanaka's conspirators to attempt the coup on their own. At the recommendation of American psychological operations experts, B-29 bombers spent August 13 dropping leaflets over Japan detailing the Japanese offer of surrender and the Allied response. In stark contrast, that same day, McCain's newly Anglo-American TF-38 launched 1,167 sorties against Tokyo, expending 372 tons of bombs and 2,175 rockets. Only seven planes and one pilot were lost, none to combat. Airborne opposition was virtually nil, as Lieutenant-General Kanetoshi Kondo, commander of Tokyo's defending 10th Hiko Shidan, “failed to urge his men to press the attack to the utmost, because it seemed absurd to incur additional losses with the war obviously lost and its termination due in a matter of days.”  Simultaneously, Suzuki's cabinet debated their reply to the Allied response late into the night but remained deadlocked. Back in Manchuria, on August 13, the 6th Guards Tank Army resumed its offensive by pushing reconnaissance units toward Tungliao and Taonan. The 39th Army continued its assault on Japanese units at Halung-Arshaan, while the 5th Guards Rifle Corps attacked and captured Solun. To the north, as the battle for Hailar raged on, the 2nd Rifle Corps engaged the determined 119th Division for control of the Grand Khingan passes west of Pokotu, achieving little progress over the next two days. Looking east, the 2nd Red Banner Army gathered sufficient forces to resume its offensive, successfully penetrating the defenses of the 123rd Division at Shenwutan and Chiko. They destroyed small Japanese outposts at Huma and Santaoka, further pushing the 135th Independent Mixed Brigade toward the main fortified region at Aihun. Additionally, the 15th Army reduced the fortified positions at Fuchin, while the 171st Tank Brigade continued its advance toward Chiamussu. To the south, the 66th Rifle Division finally occupied Tungan, cutting the highway and railroad to Hutou. Meanwhile, the 59th Rifle Corps reached and secured Linkou before turning south toward Mutanchiang. Advance elements of the 26th Rifle Corps attacked and occupied the railroad station at Hualin, though they could not secure crossing sites over the Mutan River due to the fierce resistance of a single battalion. During the night, heavy Japanese counterattacks forced Soviet forces back to a hill northeast of Hualin. More importantly, while the 45th Rifle Corps continued to reduce remaining Japanese strongpoints in the Volynsk, Suifenho, and Lumintai centers of resistance, the bulk of the 5th Army advanced 30 kilometers along the road and rail line, successfully approaching the outer fortifications of Mutanchiang by nightfall. Even farther south, the 25th Army pushed southwestward, with its three formations sharing a single road along the military rail line through the mountainous, heavily wooded area from Laoheishan to Heitosai. In South Sakhalin, the 56th Rifle Corps launched a siege attack against Furuton. However, the fierce resistance of the 125th Regiment successfully repelled Soviet assaults for the next three days. On the same day, in preparation for an amphibious invasion of Toro, two naval patrol craft reconnoitered Esutoru. Additionally, Meretskov approved the Seishin Operation in North Korea, leading to another small naval force landing successfully at Chongjin that afternoon. Soon after, they faced a strong Japanese counterattack, which drove the landing force out of the port and inflicted heavy losses on the Russians. The following morning, a naval infantry battalion was landed to retake Chongjin, but Japanese reinforcements from the Nanam Divisional District Unit arrived to contest the port. As the Russians were pushed back again, Yumashev decided to embark the 13th Naval Infantry Brigade for a third assault scheduled for August 15. To the north, the 393rd Rifle Division advanced south along the coast, reaching Kwangjuryong by August 14. Concurrently, after breaking through the 128th Division's main defenses at Lotzukou, the 25th Army reached Heitosai and prepared to launch its main attack against Murakami's 3rd Army. The 5th Army struck the right flank of Shimizu's 5th Army at Ssutaoling and in the hills southeast of Mutanchiang, while the 1st Red Banner Army attacked the northern and eastern flanks of the city and the railroad station at Yehho on the eastern bank of the Mutan River. The 35th Army began a rapid advance toward Poli and Linkou, encountering negligible opposition. Meanwhile, the 5th Rifle Corps reached Paoching, drove off its garrison, and continued marching toward Poli. In addition, the 15th Army finally reduced the Hsingshanchen Fortified Region, opening a more direct advance route toward Chiamussu. Meanwhile, the 2nd Red Banner Army succeeded in breaking through the outer Japanese defenses to besiege the Sunwu Fortified Region and surround the Aihun Fortified Region. To the west, the 36th Army continued to encounter strong resistance at Hailar and Wunoerh. The 5th Guards Rifle Corps initiated a southeastward pursuit along the railroad toward Wangyemiao, eventually catching elements of the 107th Division at Tepossi, while also engaging Japanese units retreating from the Wuchakou area. The forward detachment of the 7th Guards Mechanized Corps occupied Taonan after a march hindered by wet weather and Japanese kamikaze attacks. The 17th Army captured Taopanshin, and Pliyev's left column overcame a small Manchurian cavalry force, entering Dolonnor at the east end of the pass across the southern Grand Khingan Mountains. Back in the Pacific, the Allies grew restless as they awaited a Japanese response, ultimately interpreting the silence as a non-acceptance of the imposed peace terms. Consequently, Truman ordered a resumption of attacks against Japan at maximum intensity. More than 400 B-29 bombers launched daylight attacks, while over 300 conducted night raids, culminating in what would become the largest and longest bombing raid of the Pacific War. Furthermore, Truman began planning to drop a third atomic bomb on Tokyo. However, before he could proceed, Emperor Hirohito met with the most senior Army and Navy officers in the early hours of August 14, convincing them to cooperate in ending the war. The cabinet immediately convened and unanimously ratified the Emperor's wishes for an unconditional surrender. They also decided to destroy vast amounts of material related to war crimes and the war responsibilities of the nation's highest leaders. Shortly after concluding the conference, a group of senior army officers, including Anami, gathered in a nearby room and signed an agreement to execute the Emperor's order of surrender. This decision would significantly impede any attempts to incite a coup in Tokyo. During this meeting, General Kawabe Torashirō, Vice Chief of the Army General Staff, proposed that the senior officers present should each sign an agreement to carry out the Emperor's order of surrender, "The Army will act in accordance with the Imperial Decision to the last." An agreement was ultimately signed by each of the most important officers present, including Minister of War Anami, Chief of the Army General Staff Umezu, commander of the 1st General Army Field Marshal Sugiyama Hajime, commander of the 2nd General Army Field Marshal Hata Shunroku and Inspector-General of Military Training Doihara Kenji. When Umezu voiced concern about air units causing trouble, Vice Minister of War Wakamatsu Tadaichi took the agreement next door to the Air General Army headquarters, where its commander Kawabe Masakazu, the brother of Torashirō also signed. The document would serve to seriously impede any attempt to incite a coup in Tokyo. Simultaneously, the Foreign Ministry transmitted orders to its embassies in Switzerland and Sweden to accept the Allied terms of surrender, which were received in Washington at 02:49 on August 14. Anticipating difficulties with senior commanders on distant war fronts, three princes of the Imperial Family, who held military commissions, were dispatched to deliver the news personally. By 19:00, the text of the Imperial Rescript on surrender was finalized, transcribed by the official court calligrapher, and presented to the cabinet for their signatures. Around 23:00, the Emperor, with assistance from an NHK recording crew, made a gramophone record of himself reading the rescript. At long last, Japan had admitted defeat.  However at around 21:30 on 14 August, the conspirators led by Hatanaka set their plan into motion. The Second Regiment of the First Imperial Guards had entered the palace grounds, doubling the strength of the battalion already stationed there, presumably to provide extra protection against Hatanaka's rebellion. But Hatanaka, along with Lt. Col. Shiizaki Jirō, convinced the commander of the 2nd Regiment of the First Imperial Guards, Colonel Haga Toyojirō, of their cause, by telling him (falsely) that Generals Anami and Umezu, and the commanders of the Eastern District Army and Imperial Guards Divisions were all in on the plan. Hatanaka also went to the office of Tanaka Shizuichi, commander of the Eastern region of the army, to try to persuade him to join the coup. Tanaka refused, and ordered Hatanaka to go home. Hatanaka ignored the order. Originally, Hatanaka hoped that simply occupying the palace and showing the beginnings of a rebellion would inspire the rest of the Army to rise up against the move to surrender. This notion guided him through much of the last days and hours and gave him the blind optimism to move ahead with the plan, despite having little support from his superiors. Having set all the pieces into position, Hatanaka and his co-conspirators decided that the Guard would take over the palace at 02:00. The hours until then were spent in continued attempts to convince their superiors in the Army to join the coup. Hatanaka, Shiizaki, Ida, and Captain Shigetarō Uehara (of the Air Force Academy) went to the office of Lt. Gen. Takeshi Mori to ask him to join the coup. Mori was in a meeting with his brother-in-law Michinori Shiraishi. The cooperation of Mori, who was the commander of the 1st Imperial Guards Division, was vital. When Mori refused to side with Hatanaka, Hatanaka killed him, fearing Mori would order the Guards to stop the rebellion. Uehara killed Shiraishi. These were the only two murders of the night. Hatanaka then used General Mori's official stamp to authorize Imperial Guards Division Strategic Order No. 584, a false set of orders created by his co-conspirators, which would greatly increase the strength of the forces occupying the Imperial Palace and Imperial Household Ministry, and "protecting" the Emperor. The rebels, led by Hatanaka, spent the next several hours fruitlessly searching for the recordings of the surrender speech, failing to locate them amid a blackout caused by American bombings. Around the same time, another group of Hatanaka's rebels, led by Captain Takeo Sasaki, targeted Prime Minister Suzuki's office with the intent to kill him. When they found it empty, they opened fire with machine guns, devastating the office, and then set the building ablaze before departing for Suzuki's home. Fortunately, Hisatsune Sakomizu, the chief secretary to Suzuki's Cabinet, had warned Suzuki, enabling him to escape just minutes before the assassins arrived. After setting fire to Suzuki's residence, the rebels then proceeded to the estate of Kiichirō Hiranuma, aiming to assassinate him as well. Hiranuma managed to escape through a side gate, but the rebels torched his house too. In the aftermath, Suzuki spent the remainder of August under police protection, sleeping in a different bed each night to avoid detection. Around 03:00, Hatanaka was informed that the Eastern District Army was on its way to the palace to confront him and urged him to surrender. As Hatanaka saw his plan collapse around him, he pleaded with Tatsuhiko Takashima, the Chief of Staff of the Eastern District Army, for airtime on NHK radio to explain his intentions to the Japanese people. His request was denied. Meanwhile, Colonel Haga, commander of the 2nd Regiment of the First Imperial Guards, learned that the Army did not support Hatanaka's rebellion and ordered him to vacate the palace grounds. Just before 05:00, while his rebels continued their search, Major Hatanaka went to the NHK studios, desperately trying to secure airtime to convey his actions. However, slightly over an hour later, after receiving a phone call from the Eastern District Army, Hatanaka finally conceded defeat. He gathered his officers and left the NHK studio, feeling the weight of his failed coup. At dawn, General Tanaka learned that the palace had been invaded, so he went there to confront the rebellious officers. He berated them for acting against the spirit of the Japanese army and ultimately convinced them to return to their barracks. By 08:00 on August 15, the rebellion was entirely dismantled. Although they had held the palace grounds for much of the night, they ultimately failed to find the recordings. After his failed coup, Hatanaka took his own life before witnessing Japan's surrender. While TF-38 refueled on August 14, Halsey signaled McCain, stating, “I intend to strike the same general target area on the fifteenth.” McCain informed TF-38, “Our orders to strike indicate the enemy may have dropped an unacceptable joker into the surrender terms. This war could last many months longer. We cannot afford to relax. Now is the time to pour it on.” In fact, the Western Allies had sunk their last Japanese ships of the war that day, when submarines USS Torsk (SS-423) and USS Spikefish (SS-404) torpedoed I-373 and two small escort ships in the East China Sea, resulting in the death of 112 Japanese sailors. The following morning, August 15, the Third Fleet launched its first strike of 103 aircraft at 04:15 hours. At 06:14, just as the first strike was returning and the second strike was five minutes from the target, Halsey was ordered by Nimitz, “Air attack will be suspended. Acknowledge.” Shortly afterward, an officer burst in, waving a transcript—President Truman's official peace announcement. Halsey erupted with exuberance, “pounding the shoulders of everyone within reach.” He recalled, “My first thought at the great news was, ‘Victory!' My second was, ‘God be thanked, I'll never have to order another man out to die.'” However, within minutes, four retiring Hancock Hellcats were attacked by seven Japanese fighters, resulting in the Hellcats shooting down four without loss. Over Tokorazawa airfield, northwest of Tokyo, 20 IJAAF Ki-84 “Franks” ambushed six VF-88 Hellcats from Yorktown. The Hellcats managed to shoot down nine Franks but lost four of their own, along with their pilots. Rawlings' dawn strikes were intercepted by about 12 Zeros. Escorting Seafires shot down eight Zeros but lost one, while an Avenger downed a ninth Zero. Tragically, seven TF-38 flyers never returned. During the morning, Halsey launched his last strike of the war, but was soon ordered by Admiral Nimitz to suspend all air attacks. At 12:00, the Emperor's recorded speech to the nation, reading the Imperial Rescript on the Termination of the War, was finally broadcast. The war was over… or was it really? I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. As Prime Minister Suzuki and his cabinet debated surrender, the Emperor Hirohito finally accepted the Potsdam Declaration, conditionally ensuring the imperial family's continuity. However, conspirators attempted a coup to prevent the surrender, ultimately failing. By August 15, Japan officially surrendered, marking the end of the Pacific War.

Lisa Finucane reviews The Cut Throat Trial by S. J. Fleet, published by Macmillan Publishers.

As part of our regular PC refresh cycle, we are deploying AI PCs, which are powered by an eXtensible processing...

We are disappointed to disclose that we may well have attracted some unwelcome attention from unsavoury sorts during our journey to the Ashen Wastes, but we would ask you to have faith in our pilot, who will ensure your safe arrival with only minimal disruptions.  We would ask that you make sure your travel straps are secure, as we may find ourselves forced to make some energetic manoeuvres...  Please join us as we discover the Doom that Came to Sanctaris! Links: The title of this episode is inspired by a TTRPG created by friend of the show Seamus Conneelly (of the wonderful Cannibal Halfling Games), wherein your Fleet is desperately trying to outrun those who pursue them while their resources dwindle. It has always stuck with me because not only is it a cool name, it took me ages to realise that he meant "Stern" as in the direction on a ship, as opposed to the the attitude. Anyway, buy it here: https://seamus-conneely.itch.io/a-stern-chase-is-a-long-chase and also check out Cannibal Halfling Games at https://cannibalhalflinggaming.com/ for all your TTRPG blogging needs! Cast: Adam can be found as @maddambeltaine.bsky.social on Bluesky Ed can be found as @edfortune.bsky.social on Bluesky Lou can be found as @magpiehound.bsky.social on Bluesky Mikey can be found as @weaselpunk.bsky.social on Bluesky Ross can be found as @narrativium.bsky.social on Bluesky Follow us on social media! Bluesky: @forcemajeurepod.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForceMajeurePod Instagram: forcemajeurepod Online: www.forcemajeurepod.com Email: forcemajeurepod@gmail.com We have a Discord! Come and join us: https://discord.gg/DHbResPp6n We also have merch!  https://teespring.com/stores/forcemajeurepod https://www.teepublic.com/user/forcemajeurepod If you like what we do and have some spare money, we have both a Patreon and a Ko-Fi account. We are extremely grateful for your support. https://www.patreon.com/forcemajeurepod ko-fi.com/forcemajeurepod Intro Music: Composed by Sly Fox Audio - check out more of her stuff on soundcloud.com/slyfoxaudio Additional Music: Some additional SFX provided by Zapsplat.com All used with gratitude under the Creative Commons licence. For full credit and links please see the Credits page of our website.

A woman stuck on a tarmac downloads 'Book Lovers' and falls down a rabbit hole into the delightful romcom realm of Emily Henry's witty banter, heartfelt storylines, and endearing characters. Now that the woman (me, it was me on the tarmac) read all six of Emily's books back to back during her travels, this pod presents a brief summary of each. No major spoilers beyond a discussion of plots and general observations, along with which of her books I liked best and why. BONUS: An ill-fated journey to Casa Bonita Books Discussed: Beach Read (2020), People We Meet on Vacation (2021), Book Lovers (2022), Happy Place (2023), Funny Story (2024), Great Big Beautiful Life (2025) All opinions are personal and not representative of any outside company, person, or agenda. Information shared is sourced via published articles, legal documents, press releases, government websites, public websites, books, public videos, news reports, and/or direct quotes and statements, and all may be paraphrased for brevity and presented in layman's terms.Wanna support this independent pod? Links below:BuyMeACoffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/BBDBVenmo @TYBBDB Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There is a blog post that accompanies this episode at PrMarlon.comConnect with me.Check out our church at Cloverdale.orgThe intro music Fleet of Happy Fingers by Ryan Bell

In this conversation, Tommy Mello and fleet management expert Renee Milam discuss the intricacies of managing a fleet of vehicles, particularly in the home service industry. They explore the benefits of leasing versus buying vehicles, the importance of maintaining a new fleet for employee morale and customer perception, and how effective branding can enhance business visibility. Additionally, they delve into the role of technology in optimizing fleet operations and the significance of understanding total cost of ownership in fleet management. Don't forget to register for Tommy's event, Freedom 2025! This is the event where Tommy's billion-dollar network will break down exactly how to accelerate your business and dominate your market in 2025. For more details visit freedomevent.com Timestamps: 00:00 Understanding Fleet Management and Vehicle Lifecycle 08:01 The Benefits of Leasing vs. Buying Vehicles 16:01 Optimizing Fleet Operations and Maintenance 23:16 The Importance of Vehicle Branding and Image 30:34 Leveraging Technology in Fleet Management    

“If you're not being challenged, if you dread Monday mornings, or if leadership just doesn't get it, that might be your sign. It's time to go.”In this no-holds-barred episode of The Fleet Success Show, host Marc Canton sits down with fleet industry legends Steve Saltzgiver and Scott Rood to unpack one of the toughest decisions a fleet professional faces: When is it time to leave your organization?Pulling from decades of personal experience in government fleet management, military service, and private sector consulting, the trio dives deep into the emotional and professional triggers that signal it's time to move on. From toxic leadership and stagnating career growth to missed training opportunities and the importance of networking at fleet conferences, nothing is off-limits.Expect wisdom, laughter, and a few hard truths from three guys who've seen it all, and left when it mattered most. Key Takeaways:Leadership Matters: If trust or belief in leadership is gone, it might be time to move on.The Dread Factor: Dreading Monday mornings? That's a red flag.The Growth Ceiling: If there's no more challenge or path forward, consider the next step.Training is Non-Negotiable: If your organization won't invest in your professional development, that's a problem.Don't Burn Bridges: The fleet world is smaller than you think — leave gracefully.Networking Is Career Fuel: Conferences aren't just education — they're lifelines to your next opportunity.Marc CantonFleet data guru with nearly 30 years in the industry. Formerly led fleet operations at Fordham University and across the New York region. Now a sought-after consultant and host of The Fleet Success Show.Steve SaltzgiverFleet Hall of Famer and industry icon. Former Fleet Director for the States of Utah and Georgia. VP roles at Koch and Republic Services. Now a NAFA Fellow and dedicated fleet mentor.Scott RoodVeteran of the U.S. Air Force and long-time public sector fleet leader. Formerly led fleets for Washington State and Clark County. Current NAFA Education Committee member and passionate advocate for technician training.

Join Thomas Wasson live from the Samsara Beyond event in San Diego as he dives deep into the future of fleet and facility management with industry leaders. This episode features insightful conversations with Ryan Powell from Velociti and Dennis Collins from Maxim Craneworks, exploring how technology is transforming heavy-duty operations and driving significant improvements in safety and efficiency. ⁠Follow the Loaded and Rolling Podcast ⁠⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special episode recorded live at the Lawn & Landscape Technology Conference, I sit down with Clark and Jeff from Fleetio, one of the top platforms for fleet management. We dive into how landscapers and service business owners can streamline maintenance, improve tracking, and boost overall efficiency with their vehicles and equipment. Whether you're managing a few trucks or an entire fleet, this conversation is packed with real solutions, smart insights, and tech tools you can start using right away.

Join Thomas Wasson live from the Samsara Beyond event in San Diego as he dives deep into the future of fleet and facility management with industry leaders. This episode features insightful conversations with Ryan Powell from Velociti and Dennis Collins from Maxim Craneworks, exploring how technology is transforming heavy-duty operations and driving significant improvements in safety and efficiency.Follow the Loaded and Rolling PodcastOther FreightWaves Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Rurikhan & Gaijin Hunter's 3rd Fleet Podcast where we  talk about all things Monster Hunter as well as variety of other topics  occasionally.Check us out on Youtube:https://youtube.com/rurikhanhttps://youtube.com/gaijinhunterJoin our Discords:https://discord.gg/gaijinhunterhttps://discord.gg/0lZ8FdxvIzBGUqpm