Finding Sources
Truman and the Atom Bomb
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General Leslie Groves was the military commander in charge of the Manhattan Project.  According to experts, including Stanford Professor Barton Bernstein, no physical order can be produced documenting Truman's direct authorization for dropping the Hiroshima bomb. 
 
Here is a link to Prof. Bernstein's visit to Palo Alto HIgh School when he discussed this point.

General Leslie Groves
Leslie_Groves.jpg

Click here for Article on Dr. Bernstein's Visit

     

 

 

National Security Files on Decision to Drop The Atomic Bomb

 

 

 

Click here for PDF of Gen. Leslie Groves report on the bomb (23 April 1945)

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The prime target for the second Bomb was Kokura, which had a large army arsenal and ordnance works, but various problems, including weather issues ruled that city out; instead, the crew of the B-29 that carried "Fat Man" flew to an alternate target at Nagasaki. This document outlines the pilot's report.

 

 

 

Click here to download 4 page pdf outlining that intented target was center of city, not any particular military asset (28 May 1945 Targeting Committee Minutes--note item 5c)

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Click here to download file with minutes of meeting between Secretary of War Stimson and General Marshall on methods of concluding the war minimizing casualties. These sentiments appear to contradict Targeting Committee decisions of 4-28-45. (29 May 1945)

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Incredible telegram from Senator Richard Russell to Harry Truman the day after the Bomb was dropped on Hiroshima

Truman's Response to Russell's Telegram of September 7th, 1945

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Summary Report on the Effects of the Atomic Bombs. Published by the US Strategic Bombing Survey of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, June 30, 1946 (45 pages)

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