Operation Meetinghouse

The year is 1945. The war in the Pacific is raging, and the United States is determined to defeat Japan. In a desperate attempt to bring about a quick end to the war, the United States launches a massive firebombing raid on Tokyo, the capital of Japan.

The raid, code-named Operation Meetinghouse, is carried out on the night of March 9-10, 1945. Over 334 B-29 bombers take part in the raid, dropping over 1,665 tons of incendiary bombs on the city. The bombs ignite a firestorm that rages for hours, destroying most of Tokyo and killing an estimated 100,000 people.

Operation Meetinghouse is the single deadliest air raid in human history. It is a devastating blow to Japan and a major turning point in the war. The raid shows the Japanese people that the United States is determined to win the war, and it helps to bring about the surrender of Japan just a few months later.

The Planning

The planning for Operation Meetinghouse begins in early 1945. General Curtis LeMay, the commander of the United States Strategic Air Forces in the Pacific, believes that firebombing is the most effective way to destroy Japanese cities. He orders his commanders to develop a plan for a massive firebombing raid on Tokyo.

The plan is finalized in February 1945. The raid will be carried out by over 300 B-29 bombers, each carrying a payload of incendiary bombs. The bombs will be dropped in a concentrated area, creating a firestorm that will destroy most of Tokyo.

The Raid

The raid is launched on the night of March 9-10, 1945. The B-29 bombers approach Tokyo in two waves. The first wave drops its bombs at 10:00 PM, and the second wave drops its bombs at 11:00 PM.

The bombs ignite a firestorm that rages for hours. The heat from the fire is so intense that it melts steel and concrete. The flames are so high that they reach the tops of the tallest buildings.

The people of Tokyo are caught in the midst of the firestorm. They run and scream for help, but there is nowhere to go. The flames are everywhere, and the heat is unbearable.

The firestorm rages for hours, and by the time it is over, most of Tokyo has been destroyed. An estimated 100,000 people are killed, and one million are left homeless.

The Aftermath

The aftermath of Operation Meetinghouse is a scene of devastation. The city of Tokyo is in ruins. Buildings are reduced to rubble, and the streets are littered with bodies.

The Japanese people are shocked and horrified by the destruction of Tokyo. They realize that the United States is determined to win the war, and they begin to lose hope for victory.

Operation Meetinghouse is a major turning point in the war. It shows the Japanese people that the United States is willing to destroy their cities, and it helps to bring about the surrender of Japan just a few months later.

The Legacy

Operation Meetinghouse is a reminder of the destructive power of war. It is also a reminder of the importance of peace and diplomacy.

The raid was a major war crime, and it is a stain on the history of the United States. However, it is important to remember that the raid was carried out in a time of war, and that the United States was determined to defeat Japan.

The legacy of Operation Meetinghouse is a complex one. It is a reminder of the horrors of war, but it is also a reminder of the importance of peace. It is a reminder that we must never forget the cost of war, and that we must always strive for peace.