But (with WWII tech) it was physically possible to target the subtarget without blowing away the entire city. And regarding Nagasaki, the attack could have been delayed in principle, so that is not an excuse.
No, the decision to erase the entire city (rather than just the military subtarget) was deliberate. According to what was declassified, the object was to stop the Pacific front of WWII cold, rather than annihiliate the entire military of Japan.
A calculated choice intended to maximize the number of Japanese who survived WWII. I hope that can be empathized with, regardless of politics or modern legal labels.
no subject
No, the decision to erase the entire city (rather than just the military subtarget) was deliberate. According to what was declassified, the object was to stop the Pacific front of WWII cold, rather than annihiliate the entire military of Japan.
A calculated choice intended to maximize the number of Japanese who survived WWII. I hope that can be empathized with, regardless of politics or modern legal labels.