Spy, let's not forget that the decision to use the A-bomb was made after the Battle of Okinawa. This is what it cost the US and Japan in military and civilian casualties:
Casualties totaled more than 38,000 Americans wounded and 12,000 killed or missing, more than 107,000 Japanese and Okinawan conscripts killed, and perhaps 100,000 Okinawan civilians who perished in the battle. However, US Army figures for the 82 day campaign showed a total figure of 142,058 civilian casualties, including those killed by artillery fire, air attacks and those who were pressed into service by the Japanese army.
globalsecurity.org
The Japanese had promised to turn Japan into a fortress....what do you think the outcome would have been in terms of lives lost in densely populated Japan had the conventional war continued.
Just one more comment. During our occupation of Japan, when other allies would have been less benevolent, what did we do? One of the most important and long lasting was to write their constitution! That single act was directly responsible for Japans quick recovery, their present economic and political power and for japanese women having their present rights (the ability to vote being among them). |
