[Paradox]

Quite simply, the Atomic Bombs literally Saved Japan. Along with the impending threat of a massive and utterly far more destructive American invasion, there were the Soviets who were intent on getting in on the game. We could not have that, and you can ask a few generations of eastern europeans how THAT might have ended up.

The sad truth of the matter is this: that at the time, Little Boy abd Fat Man were probably the least of all possible evils.

[taxesareforever]

The sad truth of the matter is this: that at the time, Little Boy abd Fat Man were probably the least of all possible evils.

You're exactly right. However, there will always be those, even those who weren't alive then, that see everything wrong with the bombs and nothing right.

[Patriot Hooligan]

“You did the right thing. You know the Japanese attitude at that time, how fanatic they were, they’d die for the Emperor...Every man, woman, and child would have resisted that invasion with sticks and stones if necessary...Can you imagine what a slaughter it would be to invade Japan? It would have been terrible. The Japanese people know more about it than the American public will ever know.”

Japanese pilot Mitsuo Fuchida in a conversation with Paul Tibbets.

Taken from Flyboys by James Bradley

[RaceBannon]

I agree, but what most people don’t emphasise enough, IMHO, is that our methods of bombardment and invasion preparation would have killed so many more Japanese than invaders, the A-Bombs saved Japan.

[wtc911]

http://www.army.mil/cmh/books/wwii/MacArthur%20Reports/MacArthur%20V1/ch13.htm

It's a long read but a good look at Operation Downfall and its components, Olympic and Coronet. It's a damn good thing we never had to follow through...