Re:Hiroshima and the Myths of Military Targets and Unconditi...
by lmm on Monday October 30, 2023 @05:55AM
(#38067433)
> Prior to the atomic bombs being dropped the US had already carpet bombed 72 other cities, including Tokyo, and they had a list of future targets to destroy.
Sure. People focus excessively on the nuclear bombs rather than the general practice of bombing civilian cities (very much equally a war crime). Nevertheless, they're a particularly striking example, and criticising them as such is not invalid.
> The neccessity to use bombs developed to counter possible German atomic weapons on a rapidly dwindling Japan now that Germany had been defeated was a kind of military necessity .. the window for live field testing was rapidly closing given the approach of Russians from the north and relative lack of untouched targets.
Sure. People focus excessively on the nuclear bombs rather than the general practice of bombing civilian cities (very much equally a war crime). Nevertheless, they're a particularly striking example, and criticising them as such is not invalid.
> The neccessity to use bombs developed to counter possible German atomic weapons on a rapidly dwindling Japan now that Germany had been defeated was a kind of military necessity .. the window for live field testing was rapidly closing given the approach of Russians from the north and relative lack of untouched targets.
That can hardly be a justification.