Japanese soldiers ' reluctance to surrender was also influenced by a perception that Allied forces would kill them if they did surrender .
Historian Niall Ferguson has argued that this had a more important influence in discouraging surrenders than the fear of disciplinary action or dishonor .
Japanese soldiers ' reluctance to surrender was also influenced by a perception that Allied forces would kill them if they did surrender , and historian Niall Ferguson has argued that this had a more important influence in discouraging surrenders than the fear of disciplinary action or dishonor .