I never realized the B-29s were utilized to such a degree for mining. After we established bases bases at Iwo and Saipan, the B-29s had begun firebombing one Japenese city after another.
This phase of the pacific war has always been facinating. What if Operations "Downfall" and "Olympic" had been utilized and we didn't use the atomic bomb. It's idel speculation but interesting to ponder.
If you can find a copy of the book "Death Is Lighter Than A Feather" it gives a pretty good idea of what Operation Olympic might have been like.
It was published in the early 70s if my memmory does not fail me. Sorry I don't remember the authors name.
Or just read about the battle for Okinowa, I reckon if you multiplied that be say 10 or 20 times you might be close.
Regards
alfa6 ;>}
Death Is Lighter Than a Feather
by David Westheimer
List Price: $23.95
Publishers Weekly
The author of My Sweet Charlie envisions the invasion of Japan that might have occured had the atomic bomb not been used in 1945; includes 11 b&w photos.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0929398904/qid%253D964057740/102-7159313-2552114
Evening w_over_w. Sorry we missed you this evening. Had a real busy day today and was only able to "check in" and post and run.
We did a thread on the "Invasion That Never Was - Operation Olympic" a while back. It covered what could have happened if the invasion of Japan had taken place.