One of the things written on the first atomic bomb ever to be used in war was written, "Greetings to the Emperor from the men of the Indianapolis." That was the sort of feeling that was common in US forces in WW II.
Enola Gay navigator "Dutch" Van Kirk said shortly after the A-bomb exploded, "I thought, Thank God the war is over and I don't have to get shot at any more. I can go home."
The book notes, "It was a sentiment hundreds of thousands of American soldiers and sailors would soon express." And could you blame them?
Japan had been warned before the bombing to surrender or face destruction. The Japanese refused and instead issues sharpened sticks to civilians to fight invaders to the death if necessary. General Curtis LeMay had been firebombing the cities of Japan so much that LeMay lamented that he was denied cities targeted as possible sites for the atomic bomb. Despite the unprecedented firebombing damage - Japan didn't surrender. They didn't even surrender after the bombing of Hiroshima. They only surrendered after the destruction of Nagasaki.
Quotes from The Making of the Atomic Bomb by Richard Rhodes.
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