Originally posted by dereks

Originally posted by Havick007
It is the civilians that i make an issue of, as should we all!

the "civilians" that worked in the factories producing war material.... that supported their government...

that were warned of the attacks "So, in accordance with America’s humanitarian policies, the American Air Force, which does not wish to injure innocent people, now gives you warning to evacuate the cities named and save your lives. America is not fighting the Japanese people but is fighting the military clique which has enslaved the Japanese people. The peace which America will bring will free the people from the oppression of the military clique and mean the emergence of a new and better Japan. You can restore peace by demanding new and good leaders who will end the war. We cannot promise that only these cities will be among those attacked but some or all of them will be, so heed this warning and evacuate these cities immediately.”

"An American-controlled radio station on Saipan was broadcasting a similar message to the Japanese people every 15 minutes. Five days after the fliers were distributed, Hiroshima was destroyed by the “Little Boy” atomic device.

Following the first attack, the U.S. air force dropped even more leaflets: America asks that you take immediate heed of what we say on this leaflet. We are in possession of the most destructive explosive ever devised by man. A single one of our newly developed atomic bombs is actually the equivalent in explosive power to what 2000 of our giant B-29s can carry on a single mission. This awful fact is one for you to ponder and we solemnly assure you it is grimly accurate. We have just begun to use this weapon against your homeland. If you still have any doubt, make inquiry as to what happened to Hiroshima when just one atomic bomb fell on that city. Before using this bomb to destroy every resource of the military by which they are prolonging this useless war, we ask that you now petition the Emperor to end the war. Our president has outlined for you the thirteen consequences of an honorable surrender. We urge that you accept these consequences and begin the work of building a new, better and peace-loving Japan. You should take steps now to cease military resistance. Otherwise, we shall resolutely employ this bomb and all our other superior weapons to promptly and forcefully end the war.

Three days after Hiroshima, the “Fat Man” bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. The distribution of these leaflets, along with the radio broadcasts, does put a dent in the argument that America was unconcerned about the potential civilian deaths as a result of an atomic attack"

edit on 23/1/11 by dereks because: (no reason given)

Originally posted by greenfruit
As always when this very question comes up, it is always based on hindsight. When in combat you make decisions that at the time seem right but when looked upon at a later date with hindsight you go WTF was I thinking.

There really was no better or worse solution. Truman made a decision there and then period.

Originally posted by purplemer
japan was in the process of surrender.

Originally posted by dereks

Originally posted by purplemer
the japenese where already in the process of surrender when this bomb was dropped...

changing history again, Japan was NOT in the process of surrender, they even refused to surrender after the first bomb was dropped, it took the 2nd bom and the intervention of the Emperor himself for Japan to surrender.

Anyway, what is the "process of surrender" - all you have to do is state "We surrender" and inform your troops to stop fighting.


Also funny how all the Japanese apologists ignore the Potsdam Declaration!

edit on 24/1/11 by dereks because: (no reason given)