Most of you probably have heard about the bombing but never got to actually go there and see the remains. Living in Japan I got the opportunity to visit these two places. Even though the cities are rebuilt there are still many scars left on the people.
Many reasons existed for the bombing of Japan by the United States. First, it was a way for Americans to forcer the Japanese to surrender, which would in turn minimize American casualties. Another reason was to bomb Japan before the Soviet Union entered the war to establish U.S. dominance after the war. Finally, the Americans wanted to use the first atomic bomb for an actual attack and observe its effect.
Hiroshima was the first city to be bombed in Japan on August 6, 1945 by the B-29 bomber, Enola Gay. This was also the first ever atomic bomb to be used in warfare. The target of the bomb was the T-shaped bridge (Aioi Bridge). This bomb was nicknamed "Little Boy" because it is long, and thin in appearance. It weighed approximately 4 tons and Uranium 235 was used in it. Its destructive energy was estimated at 20,000 tons of TNT but actually was equivalent to 15,000 tons. The temperature when the bomb actually exploded exceeded a million degrees Celsius. The temperature on the ground reached 5000 degrees Celsius. At the time of the bomb there were said to be about 350,000 people in the city. It killed and injured over 130,000 of them. About 90% of the buildings in the city either collapsed or were burned. If you would like to see a picture of the one building left standing (what's left of it) click on "Hiroshima Ruins" at the bottom. They left this building standing to help remember and let other generations see this horrible memory.
The second city Nagasaki was bombed thre days later on August 9, 1945. The damage done here wasn't as bad but over 75,000 people were still killed or injured. The Japanese put up a Peace park for all those who died from the attack. "Nagasaki Peace Park" below is a picture of the statue that stands in the middle of the park.
Going there myself was very shocking. It is so depressing to think about all those innocent people who died.
© 1997 chipmunk1981@hotmail.com
Get your own Free Home Page
