Summary Exploding the idea that the Atomic Bombs were justified Part of Aviation in the Pacific Week 2 Japan 1945. In one of the defining moments of the twentieth century, more than 100,000 people were killed instantly by two atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki by US Air Force B29s. Hundreds of thousands more succumbed to their horrific injuries, or slowly perished of radiation-related sickness. American leaders claimed that the bombings were 'our least abhorrent choice' and fell strictly on 'military targets'. Even today, most people believe they ended the Pacific War and saved millions of American and Japanese lives. In today's show, Paul Ham will challenge this deep-set perception, revealing that the atomic bombings were the final crippling blow to the Japanese in a strategic air war waged primarily against civilians. Paul Ham is a historian specialising in war, conflict and politics. Born and raised in Sydney, Paul has spent his working life in London, Sydney and Paris. His books have been published to critical acclaim in Australia, Britain, the United States and many other countries, and have won several literary awards.

• War
• Documentary
• History
• Talk Show