Seventeen months ago, I stood at the hypocenter of the atomic bomb detonation in Hiroshima. It’s about 200 yards from the well-known Genbaku-Domu, the “Atom Bomb Dome” the shattered shell of which remains as a mute testament to the bomb’s power. Marked by a small granite cenotaph and plaque, this is the spot directly above which the bomb exploded, changing the face of human warfare forever.

A new Hiroshima has arisen from the ashes, a modern city with skyscrapers and even its own baseball team – the Hiroshima Carp.But there is no way to visit Hiroshima without seeing constant reminders of the terrible events of 64 years ago.

Was the bombing necessary, I think it was. As you point out, the alternative was a bloody and lenghty invasion. But we have all paid a price for having had to do the things that brought WWII to its conclusion.