WAS IT NECESSARY TO DROP THE BOMB?

President Truman along with the concurrence of Prime Minister Winston Churchill later wrote: " The historic fact remains, and must be judged in the after-time, that the decision whether or not to use the atomic bomb to compel the surrender of Japan was never an issue. There was unanimous, automatic, unquestioned agreement around our table, nor did I ever hear the slightest suggestion that we should do otherwise."

Now comes the turmoil over the question "Was it Necessary?" Even the Enola Gay, which had languished at the Smithsonian for almost half a century became embroiled in a nasty political dispute. Now the world was taking sides: was it brutality or was it a life saving issue? Everyone had some preconceived idea as to "why" it was done.

I have only touched on the happenings to be considered in making a decision. I realize this article will not change a single persons mind, as everyone has ideas motivated by religion, politics, fear of war, compassion, and anger to name a few.

VICTIM OF ATOMIC BOMB - WIKIPEDIA

JAPANESE RADIATION BURNS - WIKIPEDIA

MEETING PAUL TIBBETS

In the mid 70s I was flying for a company in Columbus, Ohio. My plane was hangared for a few days at Executive Jet. One morning as the pilots gathered for coffee I had the unforgettable pleasure of meeting Paul Tibbets. In my opinion he is a most intelligent pilot who represents the best America has to offer. I will always remember that brief moment. I consider Paul Tibbets the most impressive man I ever met.

EPILOGUE BY WINSTON CHURCHILL

There are voices which assert that the bomb should have never been used at all. I cannot associate myself with such ideas. Six years of total war have convinced most people that, had the Germans or the Japanese discovered this new weapon, they would have used it upon us to our complete destruction with utmost alacrity. I am surprised that very worthy people, but people who in most case had no intention of proceeding to the Japanese front themselves, should adopt the position that , rather than throw this bomb, we should have sacrificed a million American and a quarter million British lives in the desperate battles and massacres of an invasion of Japan. Future generations will judge these dire decisions, and I believe if they find themselves dwelling in a happier world from which war has been banished, and where freedom reigns, they will not condemn those who struggled for their benefits amid the horrors and miseries of this gruesome and ferocious epoch.

WINSTON S. CHURCHILL in an address to the House
Of Commons, Aug. 16, 1945

This story is only a drop of water in the ocean compared to the actual happening. It does point out repeatedly the fanatical and brutal conduct of the Japanese. One has to wonder what our life would be like if Germany and Japan had won the war.

Researched by website historian Wayland Mayo

Credits: Wikipedia, USAF, National Archives, Rape of Nanking, Enola Gay, Suicide Squads, Bombers Over Japan, and The Battle of Okinawa.