THE DECISION TO USE THE ATOMIC BOMB

THE DECISION TO USE THE ATOMIC BOMB: PART I Note: Discussion this past fall of my book THE DECISION TO USE THE ATOMIC BOMB, and of a review by John Bonnett, generated extended and often emotional comment. I was traveling during much of this period. I have waited until now for an opportunity to join the discussion in part for this reason, but mainly for another: In my judgment some of the most important issues …

…the U.S. Chiefs also made a direct approach to the President themselves on the same matter before the bomb was used. [THE DECISION pp. 245-8; 299-300; for additional detail see Kathryn C. Morris, H-JAPAN, Nov. 9, 1996.] To more fully evaluate the position of the military-- especially given the challenges presented by the incomplete record--we must consider other alternatives being considered at the level of the President, a subject we turn to in the next Part.