History Extra podcast Was the atomic bomb necessary to end war with Japan?
22 snips
Aug 5, 2025 
Joining the discussion is Richard Overy, a Professor of History at the University of Exeter and author of the upcoming book 'Reign of Ruin.' He delves into the contentious decision by the U.S. to drop atomic bombs on Japan, questioning whether this was truly necessary for Japan’s surrender. Overy highlights the evolution of U.S. bombing strategies, the moral implications of targeting civilians, and provides insights into Japan's internal conflicts during the war. The contrasting legacies of the bombings in both nations today are also explored.
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Firebombing's Massive Impact
- The US firebombing campaign destroyed 60% of Japan's urban areas and killed 250,000 civilians, mostly women and children.
- This had profound social impacts, making feeding and sustaining Japan difficult even before the atomic bombs.
Japan's Divided Leadership
- Japanese leadership was divided between hardliners wanting to fight to the death and others seeking ways to end the war.
- The Emperor and many elites wanted to terminate the war but lacked a clear mechanism to do so due to political complexities.
US Misread Japanese Resolve
- American leaders believed Japanese soldiers would fight to the death, expecting an invasion to cause massive casualties.
- They assumed surrender was unlikely without an extraordinary event, which guided their military strategy including use of atomic bombs.
