Hiroshima and Nagasaki

The decision to drop the atomic bomb is often considered the most devastating decision in World War II for the US. President Harry Truman decided to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, to avoid a land invasion and end WWII. A second nuclear bomb was dropped on the city of Nagasaki three days later. The severe consequences of the bombings could be felt throughout Japan for decades after the attack. Continue reading to see the atomic bomb's impact on these two cities.

Start Date of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

On August 6, 1945, the American bomber "Enola Gay" dropped the first atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. The bomb caused devastating damage and killed thousands of people. Just three short days later, on August 9, America dropped a second bomb on the city of Nagasaki, killing tens of thousands. Then on August 15, Japan's Emperor Hirohito announced Japan's surrender to the US.

Fig. 1 - Downtown Hiroshima after the Atomic Bomb 1945

Hiroshima and Nagasaki during WWII

Fig. 2 - Trinity Detonation

Manhattan Project

The Manhattan Project was an American research project that began in 1942 that ultimately produced the atomic bomb. The project started with the intent of combatting German attempts to develop a nuclear bomb. With the rise of the Nazi party in Germany, concerns grew over atomic power in Adolf Hitler's hands. In 1942, America's Office of Scientific Research and Development (OSRD) joined with the Army Corps of Engineers and officially began the Manhattan project. Scientists began researching how to separate uranium and produce plutonium. In 1945 in New Mexico, the first test successfully produced a giant nuclear explosion.

Fig. 3 - Hiroshima Station in Taisho and Pre-War Showa Eras

Hiroshima & Nagasaki Before the Atomic Bomb

Before the dropping of the atomic bomb, Hiroshima was a key transportation hub for the area. The city was also a well-known academic area with several institutions. However, it also became one of Japan's most important military sites, with numerous soldiers and other personnel residing within the city. During the war, America had not previously bombed Hiroshima, which brought thousands to the city to seek refuge.

Fig. 4 - Nagasaki, Japan, before and after the atomic bombing of August 9, 1945

Nagasaki had a history of being a critical center for Japan. During the start of the 20th century, the city transitioned into a shipbuilding center and also produced artillery and other military equipment. Most construction throughout Nagasaki consisted of wood-frame building material. With the lack of zoning laws, many residential dwellings were permitted to be built next to factories. Throughout WWII, Nagasaki had been the target of bombing runs that triggered many to leave the area before the atomic bomb was dropped. Though the death toll was not as high as in Hiroshima, Nagasaki also dealt with the devastating consequences of the nuclear bomb.

Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

On August 6, 1945, the United States dropped an atomic bomb known as "Little Boy" on Hiroshima, Japan. It is estimated that roughly between 90,000 and 166,000 people died from the bomb. However, Hiroshima has estimated the number to be closer to 237,000. The Hiroshima operation was codenamed Operation Centerboard I and was carried out by a B-29 plane name the "Enola Gay." The city's infrastructure was decimated entirely, with 70,000 buildings destroyed.

Nagasaki

In just three short days, the US dropped another bomb on Nagasaki on August 9, 1945. Nagasaki had not been the original target of the bomb known as "Fat Man." Japan's city of Kokura was the initial target based on its large munition plants. Due to dense clouds, the bomber known as "Bockscar" dropped Fat Man at 10:58 am. The town of Nagasaki had seen small-scale bombing earlier during the war triggering many residents to flee the area. However, the bomb had devastating consequences, killing roughly 80,000 people.

After the bombing of Nagasaki, Japan surrendered on August 14. The official surrender took place on September 2, 1945, aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, ending WWII. The technology of the atomic bomb was an incredible discovery with devastating consequences. Controversy over the use of the atomic bomb continues to this day.

Hiroshima and Nagasaki Death Toll

*Information in the above table was taken from Yale Law School.¹

Hiroshima and Nagasaki Aftermath

Fig. 5 - The Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima³

Hiroshima

The aftermath of the atomic bomb was devastating, and its effects could be felt almost 37 miles away. The bomb dropped on August 6 leveled nearly 70% of Hiroshima and killed roughly 1/3 of the city's population. Immediately after the bomb, heavy, "black" rain began falling on the city. The rain contained dirt, dust, and extreme levels of radioactive debris. Areas that were separate from the explosion still felt the effects of the black rain. Minimal help could be offered to those who had survived, but nothing could be done for those who suffered from radiation sickness and poisoning. Out of the city's twenty-eight hospitals, only two had survived the attack.

At the end of the year, nearly 140,000 people died from the bombing. Those who did survive the attack were shunned by the society based on the belief that their radiation illness could be physically passed to others. These survivors often dealt with severe financial and societal hardship. Survivors also dealt with numerous diseases such as cancer, specifically leukemia. The radiation in Hiroshima today is equated with negligible levels (natural radiation) and does not affect humans.

Nagasaki

Like the aftermath of Hiroshima, Nagasaki dealt with the devastating consequences of the bomb. The blast decimated over forty percent of the city, including schools, churches, government buildings, and factories. Following the bombing, plants growing near ground zero showed genetic mutations due to radioactivity. Birth defects, cancer, and other illnesses plagued survivors in the decades following the attack. Shortly after the Nagasaki bombing, Emperor Hirohito accepted the terms in the Potsdam Conference, and on September 2, the Japanese officially surrendered to the US aboard the USS Missouri.

The decision to drop the atomic bomb is still controversial to this day. As the quote above shows, the devastating impact the bombs had on the Japanese will never be forgotten.