1945: Unconditional Surrender

This is the second episode in a 5-part series marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in August 1945.

Most wars do not end in total victory. They usually end at the negotiating table after years of indecisive combat. What made the Second World War different? Was the Allied formula of unconditional surrender counter-productive? In this episode, acclaimed war historian and podcaster James Holland breaks down the arguments for and against unconditional surrender, concluding that FDR made the right call at the Casablanca Conference in 1943. The Axis powers of Germany and Japan bore the responsibility for prolonging the war to the bitter end, taking millions of lives with them.

Further reading/listening:

Victory '45: The End of War in Eight Surrenders by James Holland and Al Murray

WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk