Atom Bomb Loosed on Nagasaki Source
Front page image by UMI.
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2d Big Aerial Blow
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Japanese Port Is Target in Devastating New Midday Assault
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Result Called Good
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Foe Asserts Hiroshima Toll Is 'Uncountable' -- Assails 'Atrocity'
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By W. H. LAWRENCE
Wireless to THE NEW YORK TIMES
Guam, Thursday, Aug. 9 {1945)—
Gen. Carl A. Spaatz announced today that a second atomic bomb had
been
dropped, this time on the
city of Nagasaki,
and that crew members reported "good results."
The second use of the new and terrifying secret weapon which wiped
out more than 60 percent of the city of Hiroshima and, according to
the Japanese radio, killed nearly every resident of that town, occurred
at noon today, Japanese time. The target today was an important industrial
and shipping area with a population of about 258,000.
The great bomb, which harnesses the power of the universe
to destroy the enemy by concussion, blast and fire, was dropped on
the second
enemy city about seven hours after the Japanese had received a political "roundhouse
punch" in the form of a declaration of war by the Soviet Union.
Vital Transshipment Point
Guam, Thursday, Aug. 9 {1945} (AP)—Nagasaki is
vitally important as a port for transshipment of military supplies
and the
embarkation of
troops in support of Japan's operations in China, Formosa, Southeast
Asia, and the Southwest Pacific. It was highly important as a major
shipbuilding and repair center for both naval and merchantmen.
The city also included industrial suburbs of Inase and Akunoura on
the western side of the harbor, and Urakami. The combined area is nearly
double Hiroshima's.
Nagasaki, although only two-thirds as large as Hiroshima
in population, is considered more important industrially. With a
population now estimated
at 258,000, its twelve square miles are jam-packed with the eave-to-eave
buildings that won it the name of "sea of roofs."
General Spaatz's communique reporting the bombing
did not say whether one or more than one "mighty atom" was
dropped.
Hiroshima a 'City of Dead'
The Tokyo radio yesterday described Hiroshima as a
city of ruins and dead "too numerous to be counted," and
put forth the claim that the use of the atomic bomb was a violation
of international law.
The broadcast, made in French and directed to Europe,
came several hours after Tokyo had directed a report to the Western
Hemisphere for
consumption in America asserting that "practically all living
things, human and animal, were literally seared to death" Monday,
when the single bomb was dropped on the southern Honshu city.
The two broadcasts, recorded by the Federal Communications Commission,
stressed the terrible effect of the bomb on life and property.
European listeners were told that "as a consequence
of the use of the new bomb against the town of Hiroshima on Aug.
6, most of the
town has been completely destroyed and there are numerous dead and
wounded among the population."
The United States Strategic Air Forces reported yesterday that 60
per cent of the city had been destroyed.]
"The destructive power of these bomb is indescribable," the
broadcast continued, "and the cruel sight resulting from the attack
is so impressive that one cannot distinguish between men and women
killed by the fire. The corpses are too numerous to be counted.
"The destructive power of this new bombs spreads
over a large area. People who were outdoors at the time of the explosion
were burned
alive by high temperature while those who were indoors were crushed
by falling buildings."
Authorities still were "unable to obtain a definite check-up
on the extent of the casualties" and "authorities were having
their hands full in giving every available relief possible under the
circumstances," the broadcast continued.
In the destruction of property even emergency medical facilities were
burned out, Tokyo said, and relief squads were rushed into the area
from all surrounding districts.
The Tokyo radio also reported that the Asahi Shimbun
had made "a
strong editorial appeal" to the people of Japan to remain calm
in facing the use of the new type of bomb and renew pledges to continue
to fight.
[A special meeting of the Japanese Cabinet was called at the residence
of Premier Kantaro Suzuki to hear a preliminary report on the damage,
The United Press said.]
A Propaganda Front
Voice broadcasts and wireless transmissions aimed at North America
and Europe during the day apparently were trying to establish a propaganda
point that the bombings should be stopped.
For example, a Tokyo English language broadcast to
North America, accusing American leaders of fomenting an "atrocity campaign" in
order "to create the impression that the Japanese are cruel people," as
preparation for intensive Allied bombing of Japan, took up the subject
of atomic bombing, and described it as "useless cruelty" that "may
have given the United States war leaders guilty consciences."
"They may be afraid that their illegal and useless and needless
bombing may eventually bring protest from the American people unless
some means of hardening them can be provided," the broadcast continued.
The broadcast to the United States went on to ask: "How
will the United States war leaders justify their degradation, not
only in
the eyes of the other peoples but also in the eyes of the American
people? How will these righteous-thinking American people feel about
the way their war leaders are perpetuating this crime against man and
God?"
"Will they condone the whole thing on the ground
that everything is fair in love and war or will they rise in anger
and denounce this
blot on the honor and tradition and prestige of the American people?"
The broadcast said that "authorized quarters
in Tokyo made the following statement on Aug. 8 with regard to the
United States disregard
for humanity:
"International law lays down the principle that
belligerent nations are not entitled to unlimited choice in the means
by which to destroy
their opponents.
"This is made clear by Article 22 of The Hague
Convention. Consequently, any attack by such means against open towns
and defenseless citizens
are unforgivable actions. The United States ought to remember that
at the beginning of the fighting in China, it protested to Japan on
numerous occasions in the name of humanity against smaller raids carried
out by Japan."
[Article 22 of The Hague Convention of 1907 Respecting
the Laws and Customs of War on Land states: "The right of belligerents to adopt
means of injuring the enemy is not unlimited."]
The Tokyo announcer used the French phrase "villes demilitarises," or "open
towns," although Hiroshima was known to be a quartermaster depot
and a garrison town of considerable military importance.
The description of the havoc followed the line offered
earlier in the broadcast to the United States, the "disastrous ruin" that
struck the city, crushed houses and buildings, and "all of the
dead and injured were burned beyond recognition," said the broadcast.
OTHER HEADLINES
Soviet Declares War on Japan: Russia Aids Allies: Joins Pacific Struggle After
Spurning Foe's Mediation Flea: Seeks Early Peace: Molotoff Reveals Move Three
Months After Victory in Europe
Attacks Manchuria, Tokyo Says: Red Army Strikes: Foes Reports First
Blow by Soviet Forces on Asian Frontier: Key Points Bombed: Action
Believed Aimed to Free Vladivostok Area of Threat
Truman to Report to People Tonight on Big 3 and War: Half-Hour Speech
by Radio to Cover a Wide Range of Problems Facing the World: He Signs
Peace Charter: And Thus Makes This Country the First to Complete All
Ratification Requirements
Foreigners Asked to Stay Home
Tammany Ousts Last of Rebels: County Committee Ratifies Executive
Group's Action -- Meeting Picketed
Allies Cut Austria Into Four Zones With Vienna Under Joint Control
385 B-29's Smash 4 Targets in Japan: Tokyo Arsenal and Aircraft Plant
Are Seared -- Fukuyama and Yawata Cities Ripped
U.S. Third Fleet Attacking Targets in Northern Honshu
Truman Reveals Move of Moscow: Announces War Declaration Soon After
Russian Action -- Capital Is Started
Tokyo 'Flashes' News 3 Hours After Event
4 Powers Call Aggression Crime in Accord Covering
War Trials
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Copyright 2010 The New York Times Company
Read Nagasaki article by Gary Kohl,
M.D.
