Why Did We Use The Atomic Bomb?

On July 16th, 1945, President Harry Truman attended the Potsdam Conference in Potsdam, Germany. Truman received the news that the Manhattan Project had been successful; the United States had detonated the first atomic bomb at Los Alamos, New Mexico. The Manhattan project started in 1941 as a race with germany to develop the first atomic bomb. The project cost about 2 billion dollars and 120,000 people worked on it. Truman did not want to risk the lives of American soldiers if the allies were to invade Japan. Consequently, he ordered the use of the atomic bomb. The Manhattan project had long been underway. Julius Robert Oppenheimer aka the “father of the atomic bomb”, led a committee to discuss possible targets of the atomic bomb. Hiroshima, Japan became the most desirable first choice; it was home to the Japanese 5th Division, the 2nd army headquarters of the military, and stationed a crucial port and communications center. Moreover, the mountains that surrounded Hiroshima would contain and amplify the blast for more detrimental results. Home to superb war ship and weaponry production, as well as a critical seaport, Nagasaki became second victim of the bomb. In preparation for the bombings - and long before the decision was made to employ them - the United States flew missions over Japanese cities. Their goal: to normalize flights over Japan. This tactic aimed to make the
United States appear less threatening. In turn, Japan might let its guard down. Eventually, when the real mission occurred, Japan would be inattentive. On August 6, 1945, three B-29 Bombers set out for Hiroshima, Japan from the Mariana Islands. The first was Enola Gay of the USAAF 393rd Bombardment squadron commanded by Colonel Paul Tibbets of the 509 Composite Bombardment Group. The bomb being carried was named Little Boy. The second was Great Artiste piloted by Major Charles Sweeney, carrying scientific instruments. The third was Necessary Evil piloted by Captain George Marquardt, carrying photography equipment. US Navy Captain William Parson armed the bomb en route and 3o minutes prior to reaching Hiroshima, 2nd Lieutenant Morris Jeppson removed the bombs safety devices. An hour before reaching Hiroshima, the US bombers were detected, but because of their previous runs, the Japanese lifted their guards and did not see the bombers as a threat. Once the bombers reached Hiroshima, they found the weather to be ideal. At 8:15 am local time, from an altitude of 9,855 meters, Little Boy was released by Thomas Ferebee of Enola Gay. A minute later, at 600 meters, the bomb was detonated over Shima Surgical Clinic. The blast was equivalent to 13 kilotons of TNT. Everything within a mile of ground zero in all directions was reduced to ruin. It is estimated that between 70,000 and 80,000 people were killed instantly. By the end of the year, approximately 135,000 deaths occurred as a result of Little Boy. After Little Boy, the Japanese government was slow to communicate to the allies.
Perhaps the sight and experience of being hit by the first nuclear weapon ever used was just unfathomable and didn’t register to the emperor as certain defeat. Or, perhaps, the Japanese were going to refuse to surrender and choose death before dishonor even in the face of nuclear annihilation President Truman initially halted the Nagasaki operation, but interpreted the Japan’s slow response as a refusal to surrender. Truman then gave the go ahead to drop the second atomic bomb, Fat Man, on Nagasaki,
Japan.
On August 9th, 1945, three B-29 Bombers set out for Nagasaki, Japan. The first was Bockscar of the USAAF 393rd Bombardment Squadron commanded by Major Charles Sweeney. The bomb being carried was named Fat Man. The second was Great Artiste piloted by Captain Frederick Bock, carrying scientific instruments. The third was Big Stink piloted by Lieutenant Colonel James Hopkins JR, carrying photography equipment. Fat Man was already armed prior to takeoff due to the complexity of the bomb. This was extremely dangerous because a jolt during take off or flight could have detonated the bomb. The presence of the bombers in Japan caused several cities to sound their air raid alarms, but much like Hiroshima, many radar station commanders dismissed the threat. Although weather was not ideal and the crew of Bockscar was unable to get an entirely clear view, Fat Man was released by bombardier Captain Kermit Beahan at 11:00 am local time. The bomb was detonated 43 seconds later at the altitude of 469 meters. The blast was equivalent to 21 kilotons of TNT. Everything within a kilometer of ground zero in all directions was reduced to ruin. It is estimated that between 40,000 and 75,000 people were killed instantly. By the end of the year, approximately 80,000 deaths occurred as a result of Fat Man.