How World War II endedAs you all know, World War II happened within 1939-1945.I have visited Peace Osaka, a museum located near Osaka Castle and got a opportunity to see how the condition was at that moment in Osaka.If you relate Japan and World War II, you will almost answer Hiroshima and Nagasaki. But actually Osaka had 8 “Great Osaka Air Raids” from March 1945 to August 1945. March, June, July, August 1945. A really massive number of air raids from a country that is far away from Japan.Let’s look at the timeline.In 1944, US occupied the Marianas Islands, including Saipan island, Tinian island and Guam island. Saipan island is where US built a large B-29 bomber base. If you zoom quite a few times, you could definitely see those islands. Not near but right at the bottom of Japan.Due to this easy access, US Armed Forces was able to photograph the target facilities and areas, including the artilery arsenal near Osaka Castle. All facilities and areas are described using number. Target number of Japan was 90 and Osaka was 90.25. Osaka Port was 90.25-53, Osaka Gas was 90.25-1712 and artillery arsenal was 90.25-382. Then, they used these datas and photographs to set strategies for air raids to all regions of Japan.As Japan had been a target of attack from US, on 1st November 1944 a spy B-29 bomber took flight and attacked mainland island of Japan for the first time. At that moment, US targeted and attacked the important military target precisely from the height of 10,000 metres above the ground.But after 20th January 1945, the plans has been changed and the B-29 bombers decided to also attacked the urban areas. From low altitude, during midnight when all people were asleep. Downtown Tokyo was the first target and attacked on 10th March 1945 and suffer extremely bad.In March 1945, US occupied Iwojima island and Okinawa island was also being occupied in June 1945.Osaka city and its surrounding areas were bombed by US Armed Forces over 50 minutes in 1945 with more than 100 B-29 bombers which are categorized as “Great Air Raids”.1st Great Osaka Air Raid = 13th March 19452nd Great Osaka Air Raid = 1st June 19453rd Great Osaka Air Raid = 7th June 19454th Great Osaka Air Raid = 15th June 19455th Great Osaka Air Raid = 26th June 19456th Great Osaka Air Raid = 10th July 19457th Great Osaka Air Raid = 24th July 19458th Great Osaka Air Raid = 14th August 1945Some facilities are made from concrete but unfortunately, most of the houses of the residences are one or two-stories houses made by wood. That’s the reason why when air raids attacked, most of them lost their houses and even their lives.Hiroshima was attacked by “Little Boy” atomic bomb on 6th August 1945 and Nagasaki was attacked by “Fat Man” atomic bomb on 9th August 1945. The second atomic bomb was dropped because Japan was unwilling to surrender unconditionally.Japan gave up on 15th August 1945 and this marked the end of World War II.

^{PEACE OSAKA, OSAKA, JAPAN
opening hours: 09.30 - 17.00
admission fee (adult) = 250 yen
admission fee (senior high school student) = 150 yen
admission fee (elementary school student, junior high school student) = free}

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