E.B. Sledge’s book along with a number of other books detail very well where the Pacific war was headed. The combat Marines knew the fanaticism of the Japanese close up and personal. They had already witnessed the fatalistic viciousness and mindless obedience to the Emperor that most Japanese troops had. They knew that the general population would also mostly follow like sheep. Even the second bomb dropped did not sway the fanatics and a coup was attempted to keep the war going.
The apologists are scumbags of the lowest order and have no credibility. The Japanese today still fail to admit their primary role in the war that led to the bombs being dropped. They also have no credibility; they were more than willing to sacrifice their entire population in any attempt to kill any invaders. Those lost from the two bombs and from the fire bombings that preceded them are the sole responsibility of Japan, nobody else.
My father was on Okinawa after an ETO tour flying in bombers and they were dropping on Japan almost daily. He noted that every soldier, sailor, airman, and marine on the island was relieved that they wouldn’t be thrown into a series of suicide missions, mandated by Dugout Doug, to take the main islands. Historically, the only person upset that the bombs ended the war was Dugout because he was being denied his moment of glory as the overall commander.
Dugout Doug already had plenty of glory and he got to rule Japan as a virtual king after the war. I doubt he was disappointed in the end of hostilities. Besides, he got to do it again in Korea.
But we could talk about MacArthur for days. Different subject.