Nuclear Weapons

Many people deliberate at great length on the subject of nuclear weapons, and then denounce them with great vehemence.

All bombs are designed for the specific purpose of destruction in order that a desired aim may be obtained in the conduction of a war. In this respect, nuclear bombs are particularly effective because, for a relatively small weight and bulk, they cause a great deal of destruction over a large area. Valuable additional weapons yielded as by-products of the explosion are fire and radioactive fall-out; the latter, although less than for atomic weapons, effectively eliminates unprotected people in the locality who survive the blast, and is often carried further afield by winds to contaminate a greater region. It thus hampers rescue operation because of the clumsy protective clothing necessary for safety in affected areas for a long period afterwards.

In warfare, no matter how someone is killed, be it by radiation, blast or bullets, the end result is the same, and it is preposterous and inconceivable to assume that one method of killing is better than another.

We shall now turn to the life-saving effects of the bomb. Although when used in Japan, nearly 200,000 people were killed, in all likelihood the ending of the war by conventional means would have resulted in at least as high death toll, most of these victims being Allies, and it is far better that the enemy should die.

Also, if atomic weapons had never been invented, the Soviet Union would have attacked Western Europe shortly after the Second World War, and many millions of people might have died; but, because of the deterrent value of the bomb, both sides, knowing that neither could come through a conflict in any recognisable from, have kept the peace, albeit shakily at times.

Thus, nuclear weapons have kept many millions of lives safe in the past, and will almost certainly save many more in the future. If they are ever operationally deployed, they will defend the freedom of humanity (if used by us), or, in a Sino-Soviet encounter destroy the forces of fascism.


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