My only brother was killed in the battle for Okinawa. I was in a line at the quartermaster hut on Leyte getting new equipment for the invasion of Japan expected within a month or so. A lt. came out and told us to go back to our tents because cease fire had been declare after the Japs had the two atomic bombs dropped on them. I knew the invasion was envisioned as very costly in lives especially for the infantry/marine kind of personnel like us. However my brother’s death made me so angry that the chance to kill a few Japs was much on my mind. However the notice of no more fighting took hold and every man at that ‘repo depot’ ,including myself, gave whoops of joy and relief. I did have an interesting encampment on Leyte where we could look across the rice paddies to the mountains and now and then catch sight of a ‘straggler’. One day four of us left our encampment to try and make contact with one. No success but I did come back with a big bunch of so called monkey bananas. I’m glad the bombs were used and paved the way for the war’s end.
Had not the A bomb been used and the invasion which was already planned to begin with MacArthur in charge. Most of us elder folks, their would be children and grandchildren would not exist the fathers to be would have been killed. Of course some of these bleeding heart liberals and “feel gooders” would not be around either and that would have been a plus.
War is messy and many die, including women and children. Nations need to think hard before starting a conflict. The result is never good and never has been.