Japanese psych was different. They were evaluating what Americans and Brits were doing over course of century, with imperialism... taking over land that belonged to others... Saw it as the way of surviving, way of the future. They wanted in. But they brought their mindset, which had that strong honor code--still does. You know, dishonor was synonomous with death, and a great noble character tried to inflict as much damage on his enemy. Being taken alive was not an option to speak of.
Americans had a problem understanding this. It went against any kind of convential warfare, because it could be so brutal. To them, it meant death of the many was better than anything. Even losing. No compromise. Frustrating. In a way, we saw the same thing in Vietnam and also see it in Afghanistan and Iraq. People fight with different belief systems than Westerners, stems from the way they were raised, and how dying for their God or their leader is honorable and sends them to a better place than this wretched life.
To put this into perspective:remember how the Brits came to America for the Revolutionary War? They wore red uniforms. They would sit down at tables and discuss strategies with opposing generals over tea while men shot each other on the battlefield. The men marched forward and shot. Civilised fighting. Stupid. Washington and his men developed used guerilla warfare, and the British cried foul, but we won Independence... fast forward 200 years...
Japanese pilots are flying their explosive-packed planes into ships, doing kamikazee runs. What the fuck? This is so uncalled for! What kind of man kills himself to... ummm. kill a couple hundred or even a thousand men? Hmmm... the ship is sinking. Wow, that was successful. Still, seems kind of nutty. Are those sharks?
So much of Japan was like this. When the older soldiers were off dying, younger boys, teens were recruited. It would never end. The bomb was there, and it was an agonizing decision. Let them know that we had the capabilities to end this all by any means necessary. If they wished to continue this, it would only get uglier.
Two bombs dropped, many lives lost. We have not dropped a bomb on anyone since. People are aware of what it can do. It is intimidation. A frightful object that kills more indiscriminately than a knife, sword, or gun. With those, you have to direct them at a person. This, well, you know.
It ended the war. The Indianapolis is an indication that all things did not run smooth. Can't remember final count, but good 1000 naval officers eaten by sharks or drowned.
