Steve.

“But we can still regret that their superiors gave the order. I really do not know where the right and wrong lies on this issue. I just hope very much that the bomb was dropped because no other solution was available and that their was no alterior motive. That is all I really hope. Then it is justified.”

I cannot regret that their superiors gave the order which saved millions of lives. In my mind it was right and justifiable to use the atomic weapons to end the war and thereby save lives. Different theatre of war but the saying “you have sown the wind – you shall reap the whirlwind” is just as applicable.

“Kev, did you watch the BBC drama/docu based on eye witness accounts? If not there was a re-enactment of a young Japanese woman trying to free her daughter from burning rubble. The flames were advancing and the woman tried in vain to release her daughter. She watched while her conscious child burnt alive in that rubble. When I see a story like that then I could think of few ways to justify that either child or mother could deserve such a fate.”

Terrible. But no more terrible than the result of the bombings in Warsaw, Rotterdam, London, Coventry, Hamburg, Dsesden or Tokyo. why is it deemed to be worse or more powerful imagery because it is Hiroshima? What about the bombing in China? is that somehow more acceptable? The Japanese, both Government and people, chose to start a war. Someone had to end it and I believe, if you want it put callously, that this was the most humane way to do it.

“Anyway, im going to go and watch 12 O’Clock High which I just bought on DVD, help me unwind after the verbal jousting”

Excellent film. Tell me how a film in which the Allies bomb targets in which innocent civilians were killed will help you to unwind? 😉

“I realise from past experience how emotive you can, quite rightly, get about these things.”

I can’t help that. Maybe it’s a curse but there’s little I could do to change it and possibly even less inclination to do so. I am who I am.

Nice to see we’re keeping Grey area entertained.

Regards,

kev35

My apologies to Grey Area and to Hatton.

This is an emotive topic on which I have strong views. It is regrettable that I have not been able to express myself better.

Regards,

kev35

Maybe, just maybe 200,000 civilians were killed in the dropping of the atomic bombs. How many times would that figure be multiplied if the Allies had to resort to the invasion of Japan? The use of the atomic bombs negated the need for invasion thereby saving millions of lives, both civilian and military. Therefore the use of the atomic bomb was justified.

I cannot regret the loss of innocent lives, or if I do, I regret far more the loss of innocent lives taken at the hands of the Japanese.

“I can see both sides of the debate and simply find myself torn between either side.”

Fair comment. I too can see both sides of the debate, I, however, do not have a crisis of conscience over which side of the debate I support. I’m not being sarcastic here, that’s just how I feel. I believe the use of atomic weapons against the Japanese civilian population was justified. To express regret would be doing a great disservice to the men who flew those missions.

Regards,

kev35

I think Dunlop Urie’s Spitfire had a service life of about twenty minutes, but I can’t think of anything to match your Lightning.

Regards,

kev35

Steve.

My apologies for holding an opinion, I must be more careful.

First of all, Japanese civilians actively supported the war effort. Japanese civilians were fully aware of the code by which their military operated. Take a look at the Island where thousands of Japanese civilians killed themselves rather than surrender with the troops who were fighting a hopeless cause. Did the Japanese people make any moves toward surrender? even though it was obvious they would be defeated, even if it took an invasion?

Deliberately not giving an opinion or is that fence sitting? You’re right to do so should you wish. I reiterate, women and children did not deserve to be brutalised in China or any of the other territories posessed by Japan, but they were.

“Kev35, I respect your right to voice an opinion and I enjoy many of your posts but I really wish you would read a post more carefully instead of assuming my stance on an issue and letting emotion run riot.”

Maybe emotion regarding this issue is all I have. I have seen close up the effects of what the Japanese did to their prisoners, even some fifty years on. The Japanese treatment of prisoners is not a separate issue. I firmly believe that the dropping of the atomic bombs ended the war thereby saving millions of lives. I cannot be sorry for the deaths of civilians who were wholly supportive of the most vile of regimes. Furthermore, why should I? The Japanese Nation were the ones to start the Pacific war. ATC PAL has a good point. Why didn’t Japan surrender after the first bomb? Why did units continue to fight after the surrender? Why did thousands commit suicide?

He is right. The fact that the Japanese had atomic weapons used against them seems to have turned Japan into the victim. Like ATC PAL says, are we to forget all the atrocities perpetrated by Japan prior to August 6th?

Regards,

kev35

I think we were making some good progress with this thread. We have a two way dialogue going with ‘Webmaster’ which is a good thing. Lets not spoil the progress made so far by letting this thread deteriorate. It is in everyones best interest to get this all resolved in an amicable and timely manner. At least, that is how I see it..

Apologies, I will leave you all to it.

The sun is shining, I can afford to put some petrol in the car and Old Warden beckons………

Regards,

kev35

You’re missing the point. Now you are engaged in a dialogue, previously you just closed the thread. I still claim my pint.

Regards,

kev35