Truth of bombing will never be revealed

I refer to the letter “Irresponsible to claim that Japan would have surrendered” (May 25). The politicians have given reasons for their actions, which are judged by the confused populace. The truth will never be revealed.

The United States spent millions developing the atomic bomb during the war, which appeared to be ending soon without the chance of testing it on humans.

The second bomb, on Nagasaki three days later, was a confirmation of the test. It was an unnecessary experiment on human lives.

After the Nazis surrendered, the Cold War was looming; it was an opportune time to give the Red Army a warning about the US’ capabilities. The Soviets were indeed cowed, and it led to a nuclear race between two great powers.

To term the bomb victims innocent civilians would be to ignore the fact that the Japanese supported their leaders and supplied soldiers for the war, which included the invasion of, and atrocities in, China and the attack on Pearl Harbor.

US politicians were already drawing plans to make use of Japan after its surrender, which was a matter of time and for which there was a process of horse-trading.

As it happened, Japan’s war criminals, except for a few top men, were exonerated and protected by the US government with the intention of fighting the spread of communism.

There is no justice in US politics. In this debate on whether or not it was necessary to drop the atomic bombs on Japan, only the victor shall tell the story.