Any WWII buffs?

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^Actually you should forgive because if you heard of South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Committee and its trials. Some people forgave the killers of their love ones while others can not from the era of Apartheid in South Africa. If the same thing happened after WWII in Germany and Japan, Americans and our allies would been trialed for our actions as well. I forgive Japan for what they did along with Germany because their leaders' minds were twisted not the common soldier or civilian. Everyone has the will to say no to something that is wrong and inhumane.

I tend to disagree with the idea of the Japanese soldiers not being twisted. Yes you can say they were indoctrinated into thinking that way, but it was common Japanese soldiers who perpetrated thousands of war crimes against the Chinese and the Allies. Germany on the other hand, though the Wehrmacht cannot be said to be totally innocent, it was the Waffen SS and its organization that committed the crimes against the Jews and other groups. Not to mention that but Germany has paid billions in reparations, set up laws preventing Holocaust denial and vilified the Nazis. Japan's emperor was allowed to stay on his throne, on the other hand, and as recent as a few years ago there was still debate in Japan over whether they should apologize; and statues of known Japanese war criminals still stand in Tokyo, many planted after the war. And don't get me started on the text book debate, the Japanese like to think they were innocent and I've watched many documentaries and interviews with Japanese people flat out denying that their troops committed most of these crimes. Until Japan truly apologizes, they're not deserving of any forgiveness.

As for the Japanese, the only thing that might have been done differently was if the Yanks dropped the first atomic bomb on an uninhabited island. But yes, they were still prepared to fight on and defend the motherland. The scenario was horrible, with Yank troops invading the main island, and fighting civilians. They had already been fire bombed, lost their Navy and Army, but would not surrender.
By the by, the atomic bomb was originally to be dropped on Berlin (! !)

Of course; I've also seen interviews with former Japanese soldiers who abhor what they did in the war. I wouldn't put allied war crimes vs the Japanese on par with what the Japanese did though. War is hell, but they were a hell of a lot meaner then us.

As for the Japanese being in denial, I once saw a documentary regarding a Japanese Commander. I believe he was in charge of one of the islands that was so very difficult to take. He was captured, and held as a POW by the Yanks. Post war, he was so ashamed of what he had done, he became a Buddhist monk, and lived out his days in a monastery, doing penance.

I have found fascinating the role women played in WWII.

You had women's involvement in the underground - the likes of Nancy Wake and Violette Bushell Szabo.

Another interesting role women had was in the Soviet Union, where women were used in combat, especially in roles such as pilots.

Just be sure to remember: All this happened more than sixty years ago. These countries are very different places now.
Germany, Turkey, Japan, etc. of the 40's I hate.
But, modern day Germany, Turkey and Japan are actually pretty good countries. Different generations.

Though, admittedly, I still don't trust older Japanese and German people... the Turks at least fought with honour.
Turkish veterans are even allowed to march in our parades... but not the Nazis or Imperial Japanese... too many atrocities.

Acually the Turks were fighting. They didn't fight the yanks; but they did fight the Australians.

^Well I just check and Turkey became an ally as of Feburary 23rd, 1945. Therefore Turkey was never an Axis Power in the first place but a neutral power through out of most of the war. In other words, you're referring to WWI when The Ottoman Empire was an enemy to the Allied Powers.