Episode Details

By sunrise, Tokyo is an "apocalyptic wasteland" of rubble and ash, with an estimated 105,000 people dead—a toll four times higher than the bombing of Dresden. Rescuers like Dr. Kuboto describe nightmarish scenes of bodies melted together in piles and remains floating in the rivers. On Guam, LeMay feels a sense of relief as reports indicate his gamble was successful and casualties were far lower than the predicted 70%. Despite the destruction, Emperor Hirohito and his aides continue to seek "one more victory" to improve their bargaining position at the surrender table. LeMay, however, immediately continues his campaign, burning out Nagoya, Osaka, and Kobe throughout the spring and summer of 1945. By the time the atomic bomb is tested in July, LeMay's conventional incendiary campaign has already destroyed nearly all of Japan's major industrial centers and secondary cities, doing the "heavy lifting" of the air war. 7/8
1964 LEMAY