Washington (Aug.6): An atomic bomb, more powerful than 20,000 tons of T.N.T., and producing a blast 2000 times greater than the largest bomb previously used, was dropped to-day on Hiroshima by the United States Army Air Force.
Hitherto on the secret list the existence of this terrifically destructive bomb was revealed by President Truman in a statement from the White House.
President Truman said: "The ultimatum issued at Potsdam on July 26 was intended to spare the Japanese people from utter destruction, but the Japanese leaders rejected it. The atomic bomb is the Allies' answer.
"The Japanese may now expect a rain of ruin from the air, the like of which has never been seen on the earth.
"Germany worked feverishly searching for a way to use atomic energy, but failed. In the meantime British and American scientists ... developed two principal plants and lesser factories for the production of atomic power."
"The atomic bomb harnesses the basic power of the universe; the force from which the sun draws its power has been loosed against those who brought war to the Far East. We are now prepared completely to obliterate more rapidly every productive enterprise the Japanese have above ground in any city. We shall completely destroy Japanese power to make war."
The Office or War Information immediately began broadcasting to Japan President Truman's statement on the atomic bomb from San Francisco, Hawaii, and Saipan. It is expected it will dominate American broadcasts to Japan for the next few days. The Psychological Warfare Department will include President Truman's statement in leaflets dropped over Japan.
The atomic bomb "literally seared to death all living things, human and animal, in Hiroshima," says Tokio radio.
"The dead and injured were burned beyond recognition, and the authorities are unable to get a definite check on civilian casualties. The city is a disastrous ruin.
"The effect of the bomb was widespread. Those out of doors were burned to death, and those indoors were killed by indescribable pressure and heat. Houses and buildings were smashed, including emergency medical facilities."
August 9, Guam: The second atomic bomb has been dropped on Japan. General Spaatz, commander of the Allied Strategic Air Forces in the Pacific, announced that the bomb was dropped at noon (Japanese time) on the great supply port of Nagasaki, on the island of Kyushu. The results are described as good, but no details have yet been given.
Nagasaki has a population of some 212,000 people.