Monday, March 9, 2009

Admiral William D. Leahy: Quote for March 9, 2009

In my opinion, the use of this barbarous weapon was of no material assistance in our war against Japan. The Japanese were already defeated and ready to surrender because of a effective sea blockade and a successful bombing with conventional weapons.

My own feeling is that in being the first to use it, we adopted an ethical standard common to the barbarians of the dark ages. I was not taught to make war in that fashion. Wars cannot be won by destroying women and children.
from: Day One (1989)
Ed McGibbon acted as Admiral William D. Leahy
The Admiral voiced this opinion right after the first atom bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.