What the Oliver Stone docu says about the nuclear bombing of Japan is...

[Whiskeytide]

124. Whether the Japanese surrendered because of the bombings...

... can probably be debated forever. But, the backlash for Roosevelt had he NOT used the bombs he had at his disposal, and instead invaded with the anticipated loss of American lives, would have been politically devastating and would likely have changed the course of our Nation's history. Can you imagine how American mothers and wives would have viewed that seemingly unnecessary sacrifice?

I suspect that the bombs played a significant role in the decision to surrender (among other influences, certainly). The Japanese war machine's mentality was to fight to the last breath and die with honor. There was a certain glory to be achieved in battling to the last - even in hand to hand combat. But sitting there and allowing the enemy to bomb you into oblivion from the safety of high flying bombers, with no real ability to fight back and inflict casualties yourself, was probably viewed as a very different and less honorable way to perish. Sometimes the line between honorable and foolhardy gets blurred. I think Hirohito probably recognized that, and used it in his decision to cast the deciding vote to surrender. Just my opinion.

I'm glad your dad made it home.