“...that were intact so they could measure the destruction.”
True - but also to be able to show the Japs how powerful it was.
“Okay - this map shows the blackened area of the 60% of Toyko that has been burned to the ground. See that round area of grey - that’s where we dropped the bomb.
The firebombings destroyed MUCH more and killed far more than the A-bombs did. But, as back then, the A-bomb had a much larger impact on the heart and soul of the people. “Shock and Awe.”
I spent a summer in a Tokyo suburb. I also took a trip to Hiroshima (spent the day and left the next morning). I visited all the sites including the A-Bomb building. My hotel was just a quarter mile from it. I stood right there at ground zero (snuck some dirt in a film can). But you’re right. We needed to show them how powerful that bomb was.