To the horror of my teachers, I read Hiroshima by John Hershey in 5th grade. I don't remember where I got it, but I read everything I got my hands on. My parents were called in for a conference about it. My dad's response was there it is, I haven't finished it yet. Teacher asked if it was his and he said no she brought it home so I started reading it. Teacher said this book isn't for children. Dad said this book isn't for weaklings and she isn't.
Good for your Dad. I read it at around 7th grade. Funny thing is that I found it in my parochial school library. I'd never heard of the book and they let me check it out. My parents let me read almost anything and never said a word about it.
My dad was too young to fight in the war but old enough to remember. I'm the youngest of 7 and the only Gen x in the bunch, so he put down Louie L'more to check it out.
My Dad got through basic and was sent to Germany just before the war ended. He never got out of Berlin, having been assigned to the Quartermaster Corp.
As devastating and horrific as it is I have the other view of that terrible decision too. My father-in-law was training for the seaborne invasion of the main Japanese islands. He was just 19 and had survived two previous “hot” beach assault landings. He said he didn’t know any grunts who had survived three.
Instead, he got to spend 2-1/2 years on occupation duty beginning his engineering degree through a program of Purdue University through the War Department. My late wife was born in 1950.
I understand exactly what you mean. In my younger days, I was extremely opposed to nuclear weapons and as it was during Vietnam, I was appalled at my country's decision to drop those bombs. My father served in Okinawa during the Korean War and he explained it to me. He had no doubts that the Japanese would never surrender and an invasion would've killed many times the number. It's horrendous and incredibly sad that humans find it necessary to fight wars at all because there are no good choices.
I hope that James will address this since he's the trained historian, but if I recall correctly the Japanese government was attempting to reach out for peace talks when the bomb was dropped. But I can't remember where or how that information came to me or if it's valid.
And today Trump wandered around on the White House roof. When asked if he was up there planning more changes to the People's House, he replied "Missiles, nuclear missiles."
I visited Hiroshima 10 years ago, on the 70th anniversary. I was a little worried, as a solo American Woman visiting the site, but everyone was really nice. The most moving thing for me was the bottles of water left in Peace Park for the victims. They leave bottles of water because those that survived the initial blast would cry for drinkable water. So sad.
It’s one thing to see photos. Quite another to see the steps on which a person waiting for the bank to open was vaporised, leaving a shadow in the stone.
I don’t think I’ll ever understand it. My late father told me it was “necessary to end the war”, but I can’t get past the idea of seeing civilians as mere collateral damage. Would they be so glib if it was our cities? When we learnt about WWII in high school I had nightmares about an atomic bomb being dropped on my small metro area. I can’t think of anything more terrifying. Each side in war believes they’re justified in their pursuit (morality aside), but how many would be willing to make such a decision now? It’s unfathomable.
I am not condoning the use of the bombs but my father was a Japanese prisoner of war for 4 years, working on the infamous railway. He never recovered from those 4 years and the cruelty he suffered and witnessed.
The more I learn, the more craven the attack’s history unfolds. Also, the more I curse my high school history books for peddling half-truths to justify the atrocity. Twice.
I too have visited the Hiroshima Peace Museum. I walked out with tears in my eyes looking down at the ground in shame and horrified by what I saw we had done.
For the occasion, I have translated a poem written by the Danish poet Halfdan Rasmussen in 1948 in protest against the nuclear tests on Bikini Atoll. It should be read widely today, lest we forget what nuclear war really means.
I visited the Peace Museum the two times I've been to Japan. I can't get past the little lunchbox in the exhibit without starting to cry.
There are no words…
To the horror of my teachers, I read Hiroshima by John Hershey in 5th grade. I don't remember where I got it, but I read everything I got my hands on. My parents were called in for a conference about it. My dad's response was there it is, I haven't finished it yet. Teacher asked if it was his and he said no she brought it home so I started reading it. Teacher said this book isn't for children. Dad said this book isn't for weaklings and she isn't.
Good for your Dad. I read it at around 7th grade. Funny thing is that I found it in my parochial school library. I'd never heard of the book and they let me check it out. My parents let me read almost anything and never said a word about it.
My dad was too young to fight in the war but old enough to remember. I'm the youngest of 7 and the only Gen x in the bunch, so he put down Louie L'more to check it out.
My Dad got through basic and was sent to Germany just before the war ended. He never got out of Berlin, having been assigned to the Quartermaster Corp.
As devastating and horrific as it is I have the other view of that terrible decision too. My father-in-law was training for the seaborne invasion of the main Japanese islands. He was just 19 and had survived two previous “hot” beach assault landings. He said he didn’t know any grunts who had survived three.
Instead, he got to spend 2-1/2 years on occupation duty beginning his engineering degree through a program of Purdue University through the War Department. My late wife was born in 1950.
I can’t be unbiased about Truman’s decision.
I understand exactly what you mean. In my younger days, I was extremely opposed to nuclear weapons and as it was during Vietnam, I was appalled at my country's decision to drop those bombs. My father served in Okinawa during the Korean War and he explained it to me. He had no doubts that the Japanese would never surrender and an invasion would've killed many times the number. It's horrendous and incredibly sad that humans find it necessary to fight wars at all because there are no good choices.
I hope that James will address this since he's the trained historian, but if I recall correctly the Japanese government was attempting to reach out for peace talks when the bomb was dropped. But I can't remember where or how that information came to me or if it's valid.
And today Trump wandered around on the White House roof. When asked if he was up there planning more changes to the People's House, he replied "Missiles, nuclear missiles."
Madman, nuclear madman
I visited Hiroshima 10 years ago, on the 70th anniversary. I was a little worried, as a solo American Woman visiting the site, but everyone was really nice. The most moving thing for me was the bottles of water left in Peace Park for the victims. They leave bottles of water because those that survived the initial blast would cry for drinkable water. So sad.
I visited the peace museum in 2000.
It’s one thing to see photos. Quite another to see the steps on which a person waiting for the bank to open was vaporised, leaving a shadow in the stone.
Hiroshima is a beautiful city.
I don’t think I’ll ever understand it. My late father told me it was “necessary to end the war”, but I can’t get past the idea of seeing civilians as mere collateral damage. Would they be so glib if it was our cities? When we learnt about WWII in high school I had nightmares about an atomic bomb being dropped on my small metro area. I can’t think of anything more terrifying. Each side in war believes they’re justified in their pursuit (morality aside), but how many would be willing to make such a decision now? It’s unfathomable.
More than you think, Jeannette.
Bombing innocent's
Starving children
Concentration camps
What is the matter with us?
And why have we STILL not learned to be better
I am not condoning the use of the bombs but my father was a Japanese prisoner of war for 4 years, working on the infamous railway. He never recovered from those 4 years and the cruelty he suffered and witnessed.
We’ve been talking about taking a trip to Japan within the next year or so. I’ll be sure to visit the museum.
The more I learn, the more craven the attack’s history unfolds. Also, the more I curse my high school history books for peddling half-truths to justify the atrocity. Twice.
I'm sickened, and ashamed that I never realized the details of what actually took place until reading this.
Don't be. Be glad that now you know. It is important.
I too have visited the Hiroshima Peace Museum. I walked out with tears in my eyes looking down at the ground in shame and horrified by what I saw we had done.
Never again.
For the occasion, I have translated a poem written by the Danish poet Halfdan Rasmussen in 1948 in protest against the nuclear tests on Bikini Atoll. It should be read widely today, lest we forget what nuclear war really means.
Dust and flame is the Earth
https://substack.com/home/post/p-169661876
(Sorry, have to link, as the image won't appear in comment for some reason.)
I can't even wrap my head around any of it.