[August 6, 2021] Today is the anniversary of dropping the first Atomic Bomb on a civilization. President Truman authorized the use of the bombs on the nation of Japan. His decision, as difficult as he says it was, was the right decision morally and pragmatically. Anyone who argues otherwise is willfully blind to the circumstances leading up to that point in World War II.
Truman decided to use the Atomic Bomb with no public or Congressional debate. He later formed a group know as the Interim Committee to decide how, but not whether, the bomb should be used. A small group of renowned scientists, not on this committee, advocated against its use but were essentially ignored.
On July 26, 1945, at the Potsdam Conference, a declaration made the call for Japan’s unconditional surrender. This requirement, the same for Nazi Germany, would cause more casualties in the short run of the war but would make for a longer-lasting peace after the war ended. The conference message to Japan was that its position was futile and should surrender. “The alternative for Japan is prompt and utter destruction.” No specific mention was made of the bomb. Japan’s leadership rejected the demand.
Thus, the final order to proceed with the atomic bombing.
The issue of whether the bomb should be used was not an issue. Thinking at the highest levels of the Truman Administration and the military was very clear. If the atomic bomb could shorten the war and save lives, it should be used. By July 1945, at least half a million Japanese civilians had died in the bombing campaign over Japan. In fact, the U.S. Army Air Corps was running short of targets to bomb. It was estimated that by September 1945, there would be no significant targets in Japan to bomb.
Yet, the decision remains one of the most controversial decisions in modern history.
The first Atomic Bomb was dropped on the city of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. Its destruction was enormous, killing approximately 66,000. On the morning of August 6 in America, radio stations carried a recorded message by President Truman. He announced the use of the Atomic Bomb and issued a warning to the Japanese that more atomic bombs could be used against their homeland. Yet, Japan still did not appear willing to surrender.
Dropping the Atomic Bomb remains one of the best decisions in the history of humankind. Conscious, self-ignorance about the war and its brutality, started by Japan, drives the controversy to this day.1
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Right decision of course. I do expect those who sit back with little intellectual powers to figure they are the ones who would have comdemned 10s of thousands of our soldiers to death in the alternative of attacking the Japanese homeland. Willful ignorance is a feature of too many today.
… and their willful ignorance has no negative consequences for them. That is why folks like us need to call them out.
Excellent article, well reasoned. You’re right, Gen. Satterfield, only the willfully blind would think that dropping the Atom Bomb was wrong.
Excellent article, once again, Gen. Satterfield.
Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima: August 6, 1945
https://www.theleadermaker.com/atomic-bombing-of-hiroshima-august-6-1945/
I highly recommend this article, as well. Gen. Satterfield lays out the argument about the use of the Atomic Bombs and how no other alternative has been given. Yeah, you can say that there are other, secondary reasons for dropping the bombs but the main one was to get Japan to surrender. Period.
Agreed, any other argument is welcome but it will pale in comparison. Thank you General Satterfield for this important reminder.
Right decision, right time (if not sooner), by the right people. If Japan had possessed the atomic bomb, there is no doubt they would have used it on us first.
Same for Nazi Germany. We won, they lost. They started the war, we finished it. Nuff said.
Yet, there will always remain armchair quarterbacks who dismiss reality and the circumstances on which great decisions are made. At least Truman (who I consider a weak president) made the right decision. BTW, his decision in Korea was wrong. But let us not forget that Japan started the war on our soil.
Good point guys!!!!
War is brutal. Today, we live in peace and have ZERO idea what war is really like. If you want to criticize decisions, then at least go to the trouble of finding out the facts. More Japanese and allied troops would have died if not for the atomic bomb. Other thinking is truly willful stupidity.