[tlozo]

I never understood this silly rationale for dropping atomic bombs on civilian populations

Hiroshima was a major port and a military headquarters, and therefore a strategic target.

Hiroshima was chosen as the first target due to its military and industrial values. As a military target, Hiroshima was a major army base that housed the headquarters of the Japanese 5th Division and the 2nd Army Headquarters. It was also an important port in southern Japan and a communications center.

https://ww2db.com/battle_spec.php?battle_id=49

[Alberta's Child]

An atomic bomb in 1945 was not a strategic weapon designed to be used on military target.

That’s like saying it would be OK for the U.S. military to shoot down TWA Flight 800 because there was an al-Qaeda operative on board.