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RE: First atomic bomb - 58 years ago today





We note that Hiroshima was virtually untouched up until the bombing, likely

for the reason that it was not exactly the most important or strategic

military target. Nagasaki was NOT THE INTENDED TARGET and was an

after-thought, as described. It was NOT given an AA or even an A target

classification, unlike Kyoto, despite the highly-touted military targets of

Nagasaki mentioned in the post.



If you follow the link provided by Rick Strikert (as others before), you

will see that they discussed dropping the bomb on Kyoto because of the

high-intellect and sophistication of the people living there. Kyoto was

classified as an AA target, not because of its military installations (the

emperor's palace is the only item of note), but because of the huge

psychological toll it would take on the Japanese people. This is made quite

explicit. Therefore, the goal of inflicting huge civilian casualties is no

secret, it certainly figured very high in the planning in the decision for

drop sites. How else could one rate Kyoto a AA target while not even

bothering to give the highly-industrialized Nagasaki any rating whatsoever!



Considering the choice of detonation height and the choice of ground zero,

it appears to reflect the goal of killing as many people as possible as

opposed to destroying "hard" targets. As during the cold war, the tactic is

to strike military installations first with ground bursts followed by

air-bursts over major cities. The choice over ground (or near-ground) and

air bursts depends on your intended target, military installations or

civilian targets.



I ended-up fueling this thread because I wanted to put a counter spin on the

famous quote posted. The one that vilified the people against whom the bomb

was dropped (i.e., those responsible for attacking us at Pearl, poorly

treating our POW's, etc.). I attempted to point-out that those actually

targeted in the bomb drops were overwhelmingly civilian, as some food for

thought given the anniversary. I pass no judgments over the decision, only

the spin that is fed to us by politicians.



Best regards,



Grant



-----Original Message-----

From: Strickert, Rick [mailto:rstrickert@signaturescience.com]

Sent: Wednesday, August 06, 2003 6:23 PM

To: Radiation Safety

Subject: RE: First atomic bomb - 58 years ago today





Regarding Grant Nixon's claim that Hiroshima and Nagasaki were "purely

civilian targets and where there were virtually no targets of military

significance" -



>From the Minutes of the second meeting of the Target Committee Los Alamos,

May 10-11, 1945

Source: U.S. National Archives, Record Group 77, Records of the Office of

the Chief of Engineers, Manhattan Engineer District, TS Manhattan Project

File '42-'46, folder 5D Selection of Targets, 2 Notes on Target Committee

Meetings. [http://www.childrenofthemanhattanproject.org/HISTORY/H-07d.htm]



	12 May 1945

	Memorandum For: Major General L. R. Groves

	Subject: Summary of Target Committee Meetings on 10 and 11 May 1945



[Among the items discussed was the following]



	6. Status of Targets



	A. Dr. Stearns described the work he had done on target selection.

He has surveyed possible targets possessing the following qualification: (1)

they be important targets in a large urban area of more than three miles in

diameter, (2) they be capable of being damaged effectively by a blast, and

(3) they are unlikely to be attacked by next August. Dr. Stearns had a list

of five targets which the Air Force would be willing to reserve for our use

unless unforeseen circumstances arise. These targets are:. . . .



	(2) Hiroshima - This is an important army depot and port of

embarkation in the middle of an urban industrial area. It is a good radar

target and it is such a size that a large part of the city could be

extensively damaged. There are adjacent hills which are likely to produce a

focussing effect which would considerably increase the blast damage. Due to

rivers it is not a good incendiary target. (Classified as an AA Target). . .

.



	B. It was the recommendation of those present at the meeting that

the first four choices of targets for our weapon should be the following:



               a. Kyoto  [Classified as an AA Target]

               b. Hiroshima  [Classified as an AA target]

               c. Yokohama  [Classified as an A Target]

               d. Kokura Arsenal [Classified as an A Target]

------------------------------------



The following excerpts come from THE ATOMIC BOMBINGS OF HIROSHIMA AND

NAGASAKI 

by The Manhattan Engineer District, June 29, 1946,

[http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/abomb/mpmenu.htm]



	[According to a narrative by Comdr. F.L. Ashworth, U.S.N.:]  "During

the approach to the target [Kokura was the primary target] the special

instruments installed in the plane told us that the bomb was ready to

function. We were prepared to drop the second atomic bomb on Japan. But fate

was against us, for the target was completely obscured by smoke and haze.

Three times we attempted bombing runs, but without success. Then with

anti-aircraft fire bursting around us and with a number of enemy fighters

coming up after us, we headed for our secondary target, Nagasaki."



	The city of Nagasaki had been one of the largest sea ports in

southern Japan and was of great war-time importance because of its many and

varied industries, including the production of ordnance, ships, military

equipment, and other war materials. 



	The bomb exploded high over the industrial valley of Nagasaki,

almost midway between the Mitsubishi Steel and Arms Works, in the south, and

the Mitsubishi-Urakami Ordnance Works (Torpedo Works), in the north, the two

principal targets of the city. 



	As intended, the bomb was exploded at an almost ideal location over

Nagasaki to do the maximum damage to industry, including the Mitsubishi

Steel and Arms Works, the Mitsubishi-Urakami Ordnance Works (Torpedo Works),

and numerous factories, factory training schools, and other industrial

establishments, with a minimum destruction of dwellings and consequently, a

minimum amount of casualties. 





Rick Strickert

Austin, TX



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