On Mon, 15 Dec 2003 12:47:06 +1030, "The CO"
wrote:


"Glenn Jacobs" wrote in message
.. .

Kyoto was the ancient capaital of Japan and was, I believe, generally
off
limits for bombing along with the Royal Palace.

Smart move. Consider that it was the Emperor himself decided that Japan
must 'endure the unendurable'
in the face of the nuclear attack.
This was at a time when others in high places were insisting on a fight
to the death.
This was *despite* first Hiroshima (when they refused on the basis that
the US 'had only one bomb')
I don't remember reading this in "Japan's Longest Day" but it is true
that there was a faction that wanted to fight to the death. The
Emporer had to hide the tape of his surrender speech and himself the
night before the broadcast. I think it's realm of speculation though
as to what would have happened had the Allies killed him say in mid
1945.

and was still being pushed by some even after Nagasaki (on the basis
that the US didn't have any more)
Oddly enough this was correct, but an invasion would have doubtless cost
many times the loss of life
of Hiroshima and Nagasaki combined.
Killing the Emperor would probably have inspired the general populace to
fight to the death considering his
semi divine status. Instead he overruled the government and made that
speech, effectively preventing
any attempt to change his mind or circumvent the surrender.

The atomic bombing probably saved my father's life. He landed in
Yokosuka the day after the surrender and occupied a brewery, instead
of landing in Kyushu and probably occupying a grave. OTOH, it took a
big chunk out of my second-generation American wife's family tree, as
the old-country relatives lived in the outskirts of Hiroshima.

I think both sides of the debate should avoid being too sanctimonious.
It was a difficult decision in a war. No one alternative seems
perfect, and none seems totally wrong even with the benefits of nearly
60 years of hindsight.

People should also respect each other's opinions here. I haven't heard
terms like "subversive" and "socialist" thrown about (not by you)
since the last movies I've seen about the 1950s and HUAC. Good Archie
Bunker imitations going on here.






The CO