Posted on 03/10/2019 10:29:18 AM PDT by Bull Snipe
279 B-29 bombers of the XXI Bomber Command dropped 1,665 tons of incendiary bombs on Tokyo Japan. The fires caused by the bombs killed 100,000 Japanese, and destroyed 267,000 buildings in 15.8 square miles. About 1,000,000 were left homeless. The attacking force lost 14 aircraft and 96 air crewmen.
Many people don’t realize that the conventional bombings of Japan caused more deaths than the bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima.
Actually wasn’t the Tokyo conflagration one of the justifications for dropping the A-bombs - to save lives on both sides?
And I thought we were on good terms with the Japs this morning. Go figure.
Japan built much of their military complex in the neighborhoods which were built with paper houses. Not a good combination for the people.
That’s right.
I’m sure that was one of the many considerations.
My Dad was in the initial occupation of Tokyo and he had some interesting stories. He said it was amazing what all the Japanese had underground in preparation for the invasion.
Curtis Lemay knew how to wage war
The bombers have an easier time when the targets are stationary. During the battle of Midway, 621 bombs were dropped from altitude on the Japanese carrier group. Not one of them hit anything but water.
What are some examples of what your Dad found underground?
The Purple Heart that I received RVN 1969, was a ‘leftover’ from WWII.
They were preparing for the landing.
Thanks for that. Yes, I was aware of that.
One of my buddies made the comment that he wondered if his “....Purple Heart was from a stockpile from World War II”. We were in I Corps.
Thanks for your sacrifice and service, Grunt.
Welcome Home, brother.
It’s been so long and Dad died years ago but I remember him saying they had stockpiles of all sorts of stuff.
Whole hospitals and living areas, food, medicine, weapons, including sharpened sticks for the women and children to use.
He said airplanes were backed into the sides of hills near highways.
Before most Americans landed, the Japanese were ordered to remove all the propellers from their aircraft.
It would have been horrible for all concerned.
Yes, it would have.
Israel should distribute this story to Tehran and Gaza.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.