A number of prominent military figures also expressed that the bombs were unnecessary. General Dwight D. Eisenhower later wrote in his memoir that “During his [Truman’s] recitation of the relevant facts… I voiced to him my grave misgivings, first on the basis of my belief that Japan was already defeated and the bombing was completely unnecessary.” Japan was also nearly defeated through effective air and naval blockades so Japan lacked in oil, rice, and materials. In addition, an investigation of various the facts and survivors show that Japan was already on the verge of surrendering even if the bomb wasn’t dropped; the time frame was a matter of two or three months. Japan’s decision to surrender only prolonged because the country was literally divided between the military who would fight until the end before surrendering and the civilians who wanted the war to end (Alperovitz).

Furthermore, General Marshall, the U.S. Army Chief of Staff claimed that it was necessary to end the war quickly to prevent a gory invasion in Japan that would save half a million lives. The number the U.S used in the public eye was supposedly blown out of proportions in order to gain public support. In another report filed by the U.S, the number of casualties was substantially lower (Alperovitz).

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SOURCES:

Alperovitz, Gar. “The Decision to use the Atomic Bomb: part 1.” 7 Jul. 2005
<http:www.doug-long/ga1.htm>