Nagasaki Day 2024: Why bombing on this city known as “Fat Man”?

The world changed on August 9, 1945, and it never went back. The United States exploded the plutonium bomb known as "Fat Man," causing Nagasaki, Japan, to become the second and last casualty of atomic warfare. This terrible incident has left a lasting impact on human history, taking the lives of tens of thousands of people at the time and countless more in the years that followed. As we observe Nagasaki Day 2024, it is imperative to understand the complexities surrounding this tragic event.   

After the August 9, 1945 atomic bombing of #Nagasaki, Sanno Shrine's torii gate, Shiroyama National School Building, Urakami Cathedral's belfry, etc. endure. Each underscores the message of the Nagasaki Peace Memorial Ceremony 🕊️, held yearly on this day. https://t.co/4JPyepFoHL pic.twitter.com/yL2D1MT7Gm

— japan (@japan) August 9, 2024

Why Was Nagasaki Bombed?

Nagasaki was bombed during World War II by the United States on August 9, 1945, as part of its strategy to force Japan to surrender. The decision to bomb Nagasaki, following the earlier bombing of Hiroshima on August 6, was influenced by several factors:

• Military Strategy: The U.S. aimed to compel Japan's unconditional surrender by demonstrating overwhelming military power. The use of atomic bombs was seen as a way to avoid a prolonged and costly invasion of Japan.
• Secondary Target: Nagasaki was not the primary target for the second atomic bomb. Kokura was the intended target, but it was obscured by clouds, so the bombers redirected to Nagasaki, which was the secondary target.

The National World War II Museum website mentions: “Over Kokura, clouds and smoke from nearby bombing raids obscured visibility. The Americans could see parts of the city, but they could not sight directly on the city arsenal that was their target. Sweeney flew overhead until Japanese antiaircraft fire and fighters made things “a little hairy,” and it was obvious that sighting would be impossible. He then headed for his secondary target: Nagasaki. In Kokura, meanwhile, civilians who had taken shelter after the air raid signal heard the all-clear, emerged, and breathed sighs of relief. None of them knew then, of course, how close they had come to dying.”

• Industrial Significance: Nagasaki was an important industrial city with military facilities, including shipyards, ordnance, and munitions factories. The bombing was intended to disrupt Japan's war production capability.
• Psychological Impact: The U.S. sought to shock Japan into surrender by demonstrating the devastating power of atomic weapons. The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were designed to maximise psychological and material impact on Japan's leadership.

The National World War II Museum mentions: “The decision to use Fat Man just days after the explosion of Little Boy at Hiroshima was based on two calculations: the always-changeable Japanese weather—the appearance of a typhoon or other major weather event could force deployment to be postponed for weeks—and the belief that two bombings following in quick succession would convince the Japanese that the Americans had plenty of atomic devices and were ready to keep using them until Japan finally surrendered.”

The Aftermath of the Nagasaki Bombing

Devastation in Nagasaki (Image Source: National World War II Museum)

The detonation of "Fat Man" unleashed unimaginable destruction on Nagasaki. The immediate death toll was staggering, and the long-term effects of radiation exposure were devastating. The city was reduced to rubble, and its inhabitants faced a future marked by suffering and loss.

Fourteen thousand homes were engulfed in flames. Those near the blast were instantly vaporised, while others just beyond that range suffered severe burns. Further out, radiation exposure caused suffering that would eventually prove fatal. 

Although estimates differ, around 40,000 people died immediately from the explosion. By early 1946, another 30,000 had perished, and within five years, more than 100,000 deaths were directly linked to the bombing of Nagasaki on August 9, 1945. 

The bombing of Nagasaki had a profound impact on the world. It ushered in the Atomic Age, raising profound ethical questions about the use of such weapons. It also accelerated the end of World War II, leading to the unconditional surrender of Japan. 

Nagasaki Day Today

Nagasaki Day is observed annually on August 9th as a solemn commemoration of the tragedy. It is a day for reflection, remembrance, and a renewed commitment to peace and disarmament. The hibakusha, survivors of the atomic bombings, have become powerful voices for peace, sharing their experiences to prevent such horrors from ever happening again.   

The bombing of Nagasaki remains one of the darkest chapters in human history. The decision to use atomic weapons is a complex issue with no easy answers. As we remember the victims of this tragedy, it is essential to learn from the past and work towards a world free from nuclear weapons.

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