Operation OLYMPIC: the invasion of Kyushu (November 1945)
OLYMPIC would have 750,000 US, British and Commonwealth troops pitted against over 650,000 Japanese defenders.
This US invasion plan was risky since landings were on separated beaches, which risks isolation. US intelligence realized that Kyushu was heavily defended and there may be heavy casualties.
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Soviet invasion of Hokkaido (September-October 1945)
The Kwantung Army was smashed by the Soviet invasion. An invasion of Hokkaido was considered by the Red Army.
An invasion by the Red Army can be considered as a token of gesture yet it could impact a great moral effect to the Japanese leaders.
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Demonstration explosion of the atomic bomb
Leó Szilárd and some people suggested to demonstrate the atomic bomb to some Japanese delegation, so they would be convinced to surrender. There were doubts that a demonstration failure will make the situation worse and that a demonstration would make Japan alert, where the chances of a real atomic bomb will be low.
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Operation CORONET: the invasion of Honshu (March 1946)
CORONET was much bigger than OLYMPIC but CORONET’s plans weren’t as mature as OLYMPIC.
