Use of atomic weapons in 1945
Hello, Lazarus. This hardly seems an appropriate weekend to post on this topic. Nevertheless, "Solon's" insistent propagandizing against his country demands response. "Solon's" research methodology Could be roughly stated as: (1) Start with open (i.e., uninformed) mind. (2) Determine desired conclusion. (3) Seek evidence with supports conclusion, ignoring all contrary facts (4) Publish conclusion, using objective language such as, "barbequeing children." In the interest of truth, here are two extracts from the report of the Chairman of the U.S. Strategic Bombing Survey dated 1 July 1946:
The war minister and the two chiefs of staff opposed unconditional surrender. The impact of the
Hiroshima attack was to bring further urgency and lubrication to the machinery of achieving peace,
primarily by contributing to a situation which permitted the prime minister to bring the Emperor
overtly and directly into a position where his decision for immediate acceptance of the Potsdam
declaration could be used to override the remaining objectors. Thus, although the atomic bombs
changed no votes of the Supreme War Direction Council concerning the Potsdam terms, they did
foreshorten the war and expedite the peace.
Indubitably the Hiroshima bomb and the rumor derived from interrogation of an American
prisoner (B-29 pilot) who stated that an atom bomb attack on Tokyo was scheduled for 12 August
introduced urgency in the minds of the government and magnified the pressure behind its move to
end the war.
This, to be sure, has always been the justification for the horrific devastation of the A-bombs: to foreshorten the war, to expedite surrender of an intransigent enemy, and, in the long term, to save many more lives of Americans and Japanese alike.
As you point out, the morality of the decision has been a subject of debate ever since. Great leaders such as Harry S. Truman (or Lincoln, or Roosevelt) have always had to make difficult moral choices. Well-intentioned and fair-minded people are left to debate the wisdom of the choices made, with no need to be judgmental as to the character or integrity of the persons involved.
That said: My very best wishes to you and your family for a joyous holiday.
JC |
