h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

It's 6 August. The National Archives has the notes written by Captain Robert Lewis, the copilot of the Enola Gay. They're not secret, just hard to read. He was writing in the dark, most of the time, in a moving airplane, and he ran out of ink towards the end. Keeping notes was a last-minute request from the NY Times science editor, who was supposed to be on the bombing run with them, but couldn't get to the island in time.

http://catalog.archives.gov/id/22349277

He wrote:

'...It just seems impossible to comprehend.

Just how many did we kill? I honestly have the feeling of groping for words to explain this or [I might say] My God what have we done.

If I live a hundred years I'll never quite get these few minutes out of my mind...'

Lewis goes on to say that he thinks the Japanese may have surrendered by the time they get back to Tinian, because 'They certainly don't care to have us drop any more bombs of atomic energy on them.'

It's quite a read.

As much as it happened and twice on Japan
I "heard" that "they" did it to test the "effects/outcome" as such before going to use them on Germany ?

Sod alien invasions etc - mankind is it's own enemy! (and "we'll NEVER" learn)

It would be kind of weird if 'they' did that, don't you think?

The war was over in Germany months before 'they' dropped the A-bombs on Japan.



I think what you probably 'heard' was that 'they' insisted on dropping the bombs to show Joe Stalin what they had, and to establish US power against the Soviets. Which is likely. And also short-sighted, because it backfired, big-time. And caused no end of trouble.

As to the ineducability of people - no argument there.

I will always stand corrected if I'm wrongand will also respect opinions of others
that way! I learn! (I pity others that can't remove the blinkers)

Perhaps the real reason was to show that the industrialized warfare that had just killed 60 million was no longer a viable option...nor wasthe 3rd use of such a device....75 years and neither has happened...protected by the USAF, the nuclear triad, and MAD...it was right for reasons not contemplated at the time...

although we always thought an insane commander in chief was unlikely...

Good points, both of you.