[geoschmo]

Ike's opinion not withstanding, we have no direct knowledge that Japan ws ready to surender. There are many theories of course. I do believe Emperor Hirohito was probably ready to call it quits. But there was a significant portion of the military establishment who wished to fight on to the Last man, woman and child. There was in fact an aborted military coup that occured after the bombs were dropped that, if it had been sucessful would have made the Emporers wishes on the matter totally irrelevant. It would have extended the war, and if the information about our lack of additional nuclear weapons was correct, would have neccesitated the dreaded blody invasion that people in support of the two bombings always suggest.