Heartbreaking Channel 4 WWII documentary airing in days will leave viewers in tears

A heartbreaking Second World War documentary, featuring a crucial moment in modern history, will hit the airwaves on Channel 4 in a matter of days. The immersive documentary series 24 Hours That Changed The World will bring the period of history of life, and includes firsthand accounts of what the war was like across the pond. The episode delves into Japan's reluctance to surrender to the Allies delaying the end of World War II.

Surrender did not sit well with the military or with many of the civilian population, who resisted the dishonour of defeat. Even after the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, a Japanese military coup set out to seize power from Emperor Hirohito, who was considered a living god in Japan, in a bid to continue the war in the Pacific.

Ultimately, after two nuclear bombs, a declaration of war by the Soviet Union, and widespread starvation, the emperor finally caved after realising that surrender was the only logical option.

The hour-long special - directed by Rosemary Cafferkey - featured a never-before-heard speech by the leader, where Hirohito nervously recorded a surrender speech onto vinyl, but not all the military agreed.

Major Kenji Hatanaka, the leader of a faction of unyielding diehards, launched a coup d'état to prevent the broadcast of Hirohito's speech and prolong the war. The new episode is the third instalment of the documentary series on Channel 4 and is set to air on Saturday, August 16, at 8.10p.m.

Fans can also tune in to the other two episodes, which include 24 Hours: The Fall of Nazi Germany, a detailed examination of the 24 hours in 1945 when the Allies agreed to Germany's surrender. The other episode in the series is 24 Hours: JFK, a detailed investigation into the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.

Cafferkey's previous work includes Why Bridges Collapse: The Baltimore Bridge Disaster for the BBC, Lost Treasures for National Geographic, and Solar System with Brian Cox.

Fans have already praised the TV series online, with one user gushing, "Great documentary-and good to see all the original footage." Another added, "This is a unique, moment-by-moment view of events. Excellent work."