atomic bombing of Hiroshima

Japan

is an unnecessary act, for Japan would have surrendered even if the bombs had not been dropped, even if Russia had not entered the war, and even if no invasion had been planned or contemplated.

Thus, three very important and highly respected military leaders Eisenhower, MacArthur, and Leahy did not think the atomic bombing of Hiroshima was a military necessity. Their views were confirmed shortly after the war. In a 1946 report, the U.S. Bombing Survey concluded that 'certainly prior to 31 December 1945 and in all probability prior to 1 November 1945 [the date of the planned Kyushu invasion], Japan would have surrendered even if the bombs had not been dropped, even if Russia had not entered the war, and even if no invasion had been planned or contemplated.

The U.S. Bombing SurveyThinkers

The U.S. Bombing Survey