The Days We Remember [Requests Closed]

Ending the War

Could he do this? Could he watch his friend be blown away? No. Not his friend. Japan had bombed his harbor with no warning. Japan had started this war. He had to defend his people. The rest of the world had to know what happened when they attacked him.

“America. We need an answer.”

He nodded his head. He looked to his side, where Mr. Truman sat, “Prepare the attack,” he commanded.

The people departed from the room, leaving silence behind them.

This is war, he tried to convince himself. I'm protecting my people.

“Are you alright?”

He looked to his new president, before letting his gaze fall back down. “I don't think so,” he muttered slowly.

“Good.” Mr. Truman stood. “I'd worry if you were okay with this,” he said, walking to the door and leaving America to his thoughts.

He let his head fall into his hands. Why did they have to fight? How had it come to this?

-

He saw the plane's fly closer. He watched the bomb drop. He felt the damage.

Pain seared through him. A feeling words couldn't describe. As if he had been set on fire and shot a hundred times, all at once. It all came at once, faster than he could process.

Later that day, leaflets dropped from the sky.

America asks that you take immediate heed of what we say on this leaflet.

We are in possession of the most destructive explosive ever devised by man. A single one of our newly developed atomic bombs is actually the equivalent in explosive power to what 2000 of our giant B-29s can carry on a single mission. This awful fact is one for you to ponder and we solemnly assure you it is grimly accurate.

We have just begun to use this weapon against your homeland. If you still have any doubt, make inquiry as to what happened to Hiroshima when just one atomic bomb fell on that city.

Before using this bomb to destroy every resource of the military by which they are prolonging this useless war, we ask that you now petition the Emperor to end the war. Our president has outlined for you the thirteen consequences of an honorable surrender. We urge that you accept these consequences and begin the work of building a new, better and peace-loving Japan.

You should take steps now to cease military resistance. Otherwise, we shall resolutely employ this bomb and all our other superior weapons to promptly and forcefully end the war.

The meeting with his officials followed soon after. The bomb and the warning. They wouldn't give up, though.

A message was sent. One that received more leaflets.

ATTENTION JAPANESE PEOPLE. EVACUATE YOUR CITIES.
Because your military leaders have rejected the thirteen part surrender declaration, two momentous events have occurred in the last few days.

The Soviet Union, because of this rejection on the part of the military has notified your Ambassador Sato that it has declared war on your nation. Thus, all powerful countries of the world are now at war with you.

Also, because of your leaders' refusal to accept the surrender declaration that would enable Japan to honorably end this useless war, we have employed our atomic bomb.

A single one of our newly developed atomic bombs is actually the equivalent in explosive power to what 2000 of our giant B-29s could have carried on a single mission. Radio Tokyo has told you that with the first use of this weapon of total destruction, Hiroshima was virtually destroyed.

Before we use this bomb again and again to destroy every resource of the military by which they are prolonging this useless war, petition the emperor now to end the war. Our president has outlined for you the thirteen consequences of an honorable surrender. We urge that you accept these consequences and begin the work of building a new, better, and peace-loving Japan.

Act at once or we shall resolutely employ this bomb and all our other superior weapons to promptly and forcefully end the war.

EVACUATE YOUR CITIES.

Three days.

Three days later, Nagasaki was destroyed. Japan couldn't remember the explosion. All he remembered was the torturous death his people went through.

-

On the fifteenth of August, Japan surrendered. America met with him to officially end it.

When he saw him, he was in horrible shape. He almost couldn't believe he'd done that to Japan. He had to remind himself that Japan had threatened him, threatened his people.

Still, how could he justify himself for so much destruction?

He couldn't.

He would help him, though. Help him get back on his feet. Help him build back up, and maybe…

Maybe he could regain the friendship he'd lost.

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Did anyone else know we (the Americans) dropped leaflets over Japan, warning about the bomb?

I didn't.

-Ivvy