A Quora related to end time bombing of Japan in WWII
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A Quora related to end time bombing of Japan in WWII
Steve Dole
Updated 3y
What kind of warning did Japanese citizens have before the dropping of
atomic bombs in WWII?
Before the bombing of Japanese cities American aircraft dropped “LeMay Leaflets,” named after Army Air Force General Curtis LeMay which
typically looked like this:
The front side contains the name of cities in Japan that would be bombed
while the reverse side contained this message “Read this carefully as it
may save your life or the life of a relative or friend. In the next few
days, some or all of the cities named on the reverse side will be
destroyed by American bombs. These cities contain military installations
and workshops or factories which produce military goods. We are
determined to destroy all of the tools of the military clique which they
are using to prolong this useless war. But, unfortunately, bombs have no
eyes. So, in accordance with America's humanitarian policies, the
American Air Force, which does not wish to injure innocent people, now
gives you warning to evacuate the cities named and save your lives.
America is not fighting the Japanese people but is fighting the military
clique which has enslaved the Japanese people. The peace which America
will bring will free the people from the oppression of the military
clique and mean the emergence of a new and better Japan. You can restore
peace by demanding new and good leaders who will end the war. We cannot
promise that only these cities will be among those attacked but some or
all of them will be, so heed this warning and evacuate these cities immediately.”
According to the CIA, pamphlets like this one were dropped on Hiroshima
and Nagasaki before the atomic bombings.
These pamphlets were dropped from modified 500 pound incendiary bombs
with each containing thousands of pamphlets, with each plane being able
to carry about 40 of these modified canisters. They were printed on
Saipan and made by the Office of War Information, and 63 million were
dropped on Japan to 35 cities.
This famous photo of bombers passing Mt Fuji actually shows B29s en
route from Saipan to deliver pamphlets to Japanese cities
After the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, new pamphlets were
printed with George Caron’s (tail gunner on the Enola Gay) photograph of
the mushroom cloud rising above Hiroshima.
With the text : “TO THE JAPANESE PEOPLE:
America asks that you take immediate heed of what we say on this leaflet.
We are in possession of the most destructive explosive ever devised by
man. A single one of our newly developed atomic bombs is actually the equivalent in explosive power to what 2000 of our giant B-29s can carry
on a single mission. This awful fact is one for you to ponder and we
solemnly assure you it is grimly accurate.
We have just begun to use this weapon against your homeland. If you
still have any doubt, make inquiry as to what happened to Hiroshima when
just one atomic bomb fell on that city.
Before using this bomb to destroy every resource of the military by
which they are prolonging this useless war, we ask that you now petition
the Emperor to end the war. Our president has outlined for you the
thirteen consequences of an honorable surrender. We urge that you accept
these consequences and begin the work of building a new, better and peace-loving Japan.
You should take steps now to cease military resistance. Otherwise, we
shall resolutely employ this bomb and all our other superior weapons to promptly and forcefully end the war.
EVACUATE YOUR CITIES.”
It should be noted though that these pamphlets were not believed to have
been dropped on Nagasaki before the second atomic bomb was used on it.
In conclusion, yes the Japanese citizens did receive fair warning about
bombing of cities, though until after Hiroshima they did not receive any warning specifically relating to the atomic bomb. Though the feasibility
of evacuating the entire Japanese urban population was obviously
impossible, and the pamphlets were equally used as warning and
propaganda (it certainly wasn’t reassuring to take cover from an air
raid and have nothing happen only to step out from the all clear and
read pamphlets stating you will be bombed), the point is warning was
given to Japan before air raids, specifically also Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Thanks for reading and hope this helps!
Edits
Correction - the B29 could carry closer to 40 not 30 500 pound bombs
(20,000 lb total bombload)
Additional Information
To those asking about when these pamphlets were dropped on Japan-
according to the CIA report which I have linked below, pamphlets were
printed directly on Saipan after the US took the island in July of 1944,
but does not give a specific time frame referencing as to when they were dropped. Considering the popularized name “LeMay Leaflets,” it is likely the pamphlets were dropped from early 1945 (when LeMay took command of
bomber command for japan or February when low altitude firebombing vs
high altitude high explosive bombing began) to the end of Japanese
surrender as we know from the Hrioshima leaflets - if anybody has more information please let me know and I will add it if possible.
For those wondering about other ways the Japanese were warned about the
war in general, a radio station was also set up on Saipan that broadcast propaganda to Japan and Japanese held islands. This also contained news
about the progress of the war, as even basic information was heavily
censored by the Japanese military ( For example after the Battle of
Midway the surviving crew that were wounded were isolated from other
patients in hospitals and uninjured crews “disappeared” into high
intensity combat posts where most died)
For those wondering about the effect of the pamphlets on the Japanese Government and Civilians - For civilians again the pamphlets were dual
purpose as warning and propaganda, though according to postwar
surveys(likely US Strategic Bombing Survey, but I do not know the exact
report - there are literally 108 volumes for Japan and I could honestly
not likely find it- I only know these specifically about pamphlets exist
per the CIA report), many Japanese civilians did prepare to quickly
leave their homes in response to leaflets .
As for the militarist government, as Richard Grams requested- the effect
of pamphlets on the government was essentially nothing. Of course though
it was illegal to be found with the pamphlets, this was more of a
measure of loyalty ensurance and control of the Japanese population.
Even the fire bombing of most of Japan’s cities had only some effect on
much of the military’s mind about surrender - the Japanese were quite literally preparing the entire population to fight the Allies in case of
an invasion (though we all know how well this would have gone). Also,
even after both atomic bombs had been dropped with an expectation of an unlimited American supply (the reason Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings
were so close together- to make the Japanese believe we would not run
out of bombs), and the Russian declaration of war on Japan, the Japanese imperial war council was still split 3–3 on whether to surrender and it
took Hirohito’s personal intervention to order the council to surrender.
Even with this, the Kyujo coup was attempted in order to stop the
surrender. The pamphlets themselves had a nonexistent effect on the
government, and the bombings, both atomic and conventional, ended the
war because of a combination of Russian declaration of war and the loss
of Manchuria, the wholesale destruction of the Japanese navy and Air
Force (in late 1945 we had more ships than the Japanese had planes), the reversal of nearly all of japans gains territorial since 1932,
occupation of Japanese “home territory” (Okinawa and Iwo Jima), Hirohito’s personal intervention, and the bombing of Japan. In short yes
the bombing of Japan did play a big role in ending the war, but it is
only one of many factors that is often unfortunately overlooked.
going ahead and adding my sources as a few have suggested in the comments-
Warning Leaflets - translations and photos of the LeMay and Hiroshima
leaflets
The Information War in the Pacific, 1945 - if you’re up for a good read
about the leaflets and information about them this is definitely worth
taking a look at
George R. Caron - Wikipedia - Couldn’t remember Caron’s name
P.S - Thanks for the feedback on my answer and any reccomendations
really are appreciated. This is literally my first answer on here and
I’m amazed this is the response I’ve gotten - Thank you!
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