Ending the Pacific War: Harry Truman and the Decision To Drop the Bomb

(Compiler's note: A very interesting read - I recommend it to you. Click on the title above to get to the entire article.)

Source: A friend:

From: "Brig Gen R. Clements USAF ret"

On Sun, 10 May 2009 10:10:40 -0700, VADM Harold Koenig USN ret wrote:

My understanding of our national policy regarding release of classified World War II records was that they were embargoed for fifty years, finally being opened for review by scholars, historians and academics in 1995. It has taken since then for them to review the documents and construct a history for us about what really happened during the final days of the war in the Pacific. We seem to have a much clearer understanding of what happened in the European theater. When the Russians marched into Berlin, Germany's capitol, it was over. No such thing happened in Japan. There never was an invasion of the Japanese home islands.

The following article from FPRI provides much insight into just how complex ending the conflict in the Pacific was. It didn't end because we dropped two A-bombs or because the Russians marched through Manchuria and launched an amphibious invasion of the Kuril Islands. In fact, we continued conventional bombing for 6 more days after the Nagasaki bomb while the Russians continued to push down from the North.

This is the most complete, concise historical accounting I have seen on the subject.

Harold

Comment:

The Admiral and I have discussed this before. Truman never signed an order to drop the atomic bombs. The operational orders were put into play and signed by Gen Thomas C Handy.

While flying as pilot for BG Fred Irving, 8090th PACUSA Detach 20 AAF, I had an opportunity to talk with General Handy when he came up front and sat in the co pilots seat. We talked from Guam to Tinian. He told me about Truman's part in the action. It was an awe inspiring hour for a young LT, believe me. One other thing about that trip. I asked General Handy what he thought about trying the Emperor of Japan as a war criminal. He told me, "Lt, I want you to remember this. If we try the Emperor of Japan as a war criminal we will have a war of insurgency fighting door to door for the next 10 years. Lt, never get involved in a war of insurgency based on religious principles. Remember that."

One funny thing about the trip I called Tinian tower and the following dialogue occurred; Remember we had no coding for VIPs in those days..at least to my knowledge..

"Hello Tinian tower, this is Army 8546. I have VIP aboard.

"Roger 8546 you are number two following the C-54 on final"

"Roger, I have VIP on board"

Roger 8546 you are number two following the C-54 also with VIP. Follow the C-54 on landing and take next turnoff to the ramp behind the C-54. The C-54 taxied up to the ramp and unloaded a USO troop. I came up behind flying a red four star flag on the C-46F. They thought the general was on board the C-54. You have never seen such a switch of people in your life. I had 12 flag rank officers on board. General Handy and Admiral Pownall, thought it was funny.

My boss didn't

chk6

bob

Foreign Policy Research Institute Over 50 Years of Ideas in Service to Our Nation

www.fpri.org

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....Most Americans today are surprised to learn that in 1945 and for approximately two decades thereafter no significant controversy accompanied the use of atomic weapons to end the Pacific War. A broad national consensus formed around three basic premises: 1) the use of the weapons was justified; 2) the weapons ended the war; and 3) in at least a rough utilitarian sense, the use of the weapons was morally justified as saving more lives than they cost. ....