Operation Downfall

Facing this degree of resolve, Allied military leaders knew the Japanese would never surrender until their military was decisively vanquished. Thus, in 1944 military leaders started planning Operation Downfall— the invasion of Japan. Secretary of War Henry Stimson lamented, It is a grim fact that there is not an easy, bloodless way to victory. ... 

Quoted in D.M. Giangreco, Hell to Pay Operation Downfall and the Invasion of Japan, 1945-1947. Annapolis Naval Institute Press, 2009, p. xii. 

Recovered sulfur proved to be the downfall of the Mexican Frasch industry as well. In August 1992, APSA declared bankruptcy. The debt of the company was 220 million. APSA closed its three mines in November 1992, and CEDI closed its mine in May 1993. Total sulfur production from the Frasch industry in Mexico was 55 million tonnes (see Table 4.8, and Figure 4.13). The assets of APSA and control of Mexican sulfur exports were assigned to Pemex (becoming their Texistepec Mining Unit) by the Mexican government in lieu of prior sulfur sales owing. Sulfur continued to be produced from their oil refineries at Salina Cruz and Tula. Pemex operates nine sulfiir recovery units, and produces over one million tonnes of recovered sulfur per year. 

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