The Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki-- Part 1: "Prompt and Utter Destruction"

From Wikipedia.

The United States detonated two atomic bombs over the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6, 1945, and August 9, 1945, respectively.  The two bombings, between them, killed  between 129,000 and 226,000 people. most of them civilians.    These two bombings remain the only two times atom bombs have been used in conflict.

In the final year of World War II, the Allies were preparing for what surely was to be a very costly invasion of the Japanese homeland.  The undertaking was preceded by a conventional firebombing campaign which devastated 67 Japanese cities.

The war in Europe had ended May 8 with the German surrender.  Now the Allies turned their attention to Japan.  They called for an unconditional Japanese surrender of their armed forces under the terms of the Potsdam  Declaration on July 26, 1945.  If they did not, the Allies promised "prompt and utter destruction."

The Japanese fought on despite the ultimatum and dire warning.

--GreGen