re: #871 Van Helsing

I went to Smithsonian and saw Enola Gay. the tour guide mentioned the nut that tried to splash red ink on it and IIRC he also mentioned a Japanese official that thanked the US for using the atomic bombs instead of invading.

He knew that the cost would have been more horrific than anything every seen.

They’ve released some of the Operation Downfall (Japanese Invasion), Olympic (Kyūshū) and Cornet (Honshū) planning and estimates. Blood chilling stuff. Historically when you look at Olympic’s underestimation of the number of Japanese troops on Kyūshū, it’s even more horrifying.

It leaves no doubt as to the decision Truman made.