World War II was truly a global conflict.Numerous exhaustively researched books have been written on the subject and new sources and information continue to be revealed.There are also a number of well-designed and fully sourced WWII websites.Many of these resources describe the broad scope and far reaching impact of this amazingly complex and dynamic historical event. Some of the more scholarly works discuss the interplay between the Levels of War -- strategic,operational and tactical.Others focus on iconic leaders,specific battles,military organizations,new technology or significant aspects of the war such as genocide and atrocities.
"Big Three" at Potsdam Conference
Image: Public Domain
Unfortunately,some of the post-war historical analysis has been undertaken with the benefit of "20/20 hindsight" or reflects efforts to retroactively explain WWII milestones in light of Cold War events.David Barrett's "140 Days to Hiroshima" focuses on information and evolving events as presented to military and civilian decision makers at that specific moment in time.He details the events, and considerations that led to President Truman's approval of the use of atomic weapons against Japan in August of 1945.Importantly,Barrett uses a broad array of sources in his in-depth analysis,from invasion planning documents (e.g.,U.S. Operation Downfall,Japanese Operation Ketsu-Go),to post-operation analysis of significant battles (the Marianas Islands,Iwo Jima,Okinawa,the Phillipines, etc.), multiple invasion casualty estimates (American,Japanese and Japanese civilians) and the impact of contemporary military operations such as the U.S. Strategic Bombing of Japan and the Navy's anti-shipping campaign.He also weaves into the narrative domestic political and economic concerns,for both sides,and their impact on decision making.His re-cap of Allied strategy discussions before and during the July/August,1945 Potsdam Conference is also of significant relevance.Barrett's inclusion of U.S. intercepts of Japanese Diplomatic messages to validate his analysis is enlightening.
Foreground:P-47 Thunderbolt.Background:B-29 Enola Gay
Image: Author.Taken at National Air & Space Museum--Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
On August 6,1945 the U.S. B-29 bomber Enola Gay dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima.In spite of the devastation,unconditional surrender continued to be resisted in Japan.On August 8,consistent with previous commitments,the Soviet Union declared war on Japan and subsequently invaded Manchuria.On August 9th,a second atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki.The Japanese finally surrendered on August 15th.On Sunday,September 2, 1945 the formal surrender ceremony was conducted aboard the U.S.S. Missouri in Tokyo Bay.WWII was finally over.
Barrett's book is a great read,for both history buffs and students looking to better understand a complex,nuanced historical period.It provides a valuable roadmap for us to use as we seek to understand one of the most difficult and consequential decisions made in modern history.
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