Atomic bombings

Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

In 1945, the Pacific War between the Empire of Japan and the Allies of World War II had entered its fourth year. Even before the surrender of Nazi Germany on 8 May 1945, plans were already happening for the largest operation of the Pacific War, Operation Downfall, and the invasion of Japan. Also the United States had developed plans for an air campaign against Japan prior to the Pacific War.

The atomic bombings of the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan were conducted by the United States during the final stages of World War II in 1945. These two events are the only use of nuclear weapons in war to date. These bombings during World War II caused widespread destruction and hundreds of thousands of deaths.

On August 6, 1945, the United States used a massive, atomic weapon against Hiroshima, Japan. While Japan was still trying to comprehend this devastation three days later, the United States struck again, this time, on Nagasaki. Following a firebombing campaign that destroyed many Japanese cities, the Allies prepared for a costly invasion of Japan. The war in Europe ended when Nazi Germany signed its instrument of surrender on 8 May, but the Pacific War continued.

A survivor described the damage to people:

“The appearance of people was . . . well, they all had skin blackened by burns. . . . They had no hair because their hair was burned, and at a glance you couldn't tell whether you were looking at them from in front or in back. . . . They held their arms bent [forward] like this . . . and their skin - not only on their hands, but on their faces and bodies too - hung down. . . . If there had been only one or two such people . . . perhaps I would not have had such a strong impression. But wherever I walked I met these people. . . . Many of them died along the road - I can still picture them in my mind -- like walking ghosts” (New York times company, 2012)

American airmen dropped Little Boy on the city of Hiroshima on August 1945, followed by Fat Man over Nagasaki on 9 August. The first two to four months of the bombings, there were killed 166,000 people in Hiroshima and 80,000 in Nagasaki occurring on the first day.I think this battle, was one or the most devasted battle ever. Though it happened right after the Second World War was over, the United States and Japan were still having a lot of problems.  Japan did not only lose against United State but also many people died because of the bombs that were dropped away.

Written by: Micaela Espinosa