[Timpanagos1]

Not only did the atomic bombs end the war in the Pacific, but it has kept the major powers at peace for more than 70’years.

Of course there have been proxy war since 1945, but nothing on the scale of the Second World War.

[dp0622]

Agreed.

I’m awe of what men can build and what power nature holds.

I forget how old the Earth is. 4 Billion years?

How long has mordern man been around?

In the past 100 years, something happened taht made men’s knowledge and ability go off the charts!!!!

[mkjessup]

A very good point, and it also bears noting that General Curtis LeMay went on to create and build the Strategic Air Command which helped to keep that peace. One of the truly great American warriors.

[dfwgator]

It saved Japan from being divided, like Korea.

Russkies were real anxious to get even for 1912.

[Rockingham]

There is a fine essay by English professor and WW II combat vet Paul Fussell, "Thank God For The Atom Bomb," which appeared in 1981 -- and in the New Republic no less. I heard the same sentiment expressed by a state supreme court justice who had spent several years training for the invasion of Japan. If not for the atomic bomb and the Japanese surrender, he would have died in the first phase of Operation Olympic.