Kokura: Saved by the Weather

Today's the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki.

But did you know that Japanese city was not the primary target of U.S. Major Charles W. Sweeney's B-29 that morning?

Clouds, as well as fires still burning from a firebombing raid by B-29s on nearby Yahata, obscured their primary target, the city of Kokura.

With limited fuel, Sweeney proceeded to the secondary target: Nagasaki.

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Graylight · 51-55, F

OMG, I never knew that. Thanks for the thread to a fascinating history lesson. I can't imagine what it would be like to be a citizen of that area knowing this happened.

windinhishair · 61-69, M

They made not one but several passes over Kokura, hoping they could get some clearing in the clouds, but to no avail. So on to Nagasaki.

beckyromero · 36-40, F

@windinhishair

Yes, correct. And once over Nagaski, at first cloud cover was again an issue. But then a break in the clouds allowed for them to release the bomb.

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