Question for the Forum

WhoDat!656 · 02-15-2012, 07:54 PM

The B-29 fire-bombing raids were targeted at Japanese civilians and killed many more people than both of the atomic bombs.

Both Hiroshima and Nagasaki were intentionally not fire-bombed so that when the atomic bombs were dropped on them, the full effect could be seen.

If the Allies had invaded the Home Islands, losses were estimated to be in excess of one million soldiers and Marines.

saintfan · 02-15-2012, 09:07 PM

Originally Posted by WhoDat!656

The B-29 fire-bombing raids were targeted at Japanese civilians and killed many more people than both of the atomic bombs.

Both Hiroshima and Nagasaki were intentionally not fire-bombed so that when the atomic bombs were dropped on them, the full effect could be seen.

If the Allies had invaded the Home Islands, losses were estimated to be in excess of one million soldiers and Marines.

I work with people from all over the world, and opinions vary on the 'morality' of dropping those bombs. A particular fellow I work with - and respect very much by the way - is from Russia and in his opinion the United States was only flexing its muscle by dropping those bombs.

Considering the vibe between our two countries at the time - the paranoia both sides held against the other - I can understand why he would feel that way.

However he's dead wrong. Truman had a very heavy heart when he made the call, and we gave them every opportunity. I can understand them refusing to believe the level of destruction we claimed, at least before we dropped the first one, but the second one is entirely on Hirohito.

We save allied lives, both American AND Russian.

02-15-2012, 09:07 PM	#2
saintfan Donated Plasma Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 18,556 Blog Entries: 5	Originally Posted by WhoDat!656 The B-29 fire-bombing raids were targeted at Japanese civilians and killed many more people than both of the atomic bombs. Both Hiroshima and Nagasaki were intentionally not fire-bombed so that when the atomic bombs were dropped on them, the full effect could be seen. If the Allies had invaded the Home Islands, losses were estimated to be in excess of one million soldiers and Marines. I work with people from all over the world, and opinions vary on the 'morality' of dropping those bombs. A particular fellow I work with - and respect very much by the way - is from Russia and in his opinion the United States was only flexing its muscle by dropping those bombs. Considering the vibe between our two countries at the time - the paranoia both sides held against the other - I can understand why he would feel that way. However he's dead wrong. Truman had a very heavy heart when he made the call, and we gave them every opportunity. I can understand them refusing to believe the level of destruction we claimed, at least before we dropped the first one, but the second one is entirely on Hirohito. We save allied lives, both American AND Russian.
	C'mon Man...

02-15-2012, 07:54 PM	#1
WhoDat!656 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Shreveport,Louisiana Posts: 16,094	The B-29 fire-bombing raids were targeted at Japanese civilians and killed many more people than both of the atomic bombs. Both Hiroshima and Nagasaki were intentionally not fire-bombed so that when the atomic bombs were dropped on them, the full effect could be seen. If the Allies had invaded the Home Islands, losses were estimated to be in excess of one million soldiers and Marines.