Civilian Casualties - Collateral Damage

Recently, a family member and I were discussing the atrocities of civilian casualties in wars. It was mostly regarding the current Israel/Gaza War. We didn't discuss the others, past or present, even though there are civilian casualties in those, too. I explained that, unfortunately, it was a very sad situation but it does happen.

In fact, I used WWII as a major example of mass civilian casualties. Here's what courses-lumen-learning said about it: "Some 75 million people died in World War II, including about 20 million military personnel and 40 million civilians, many of whom died because of deliberate genocide, massacres, mass-bombings, disease, and starvation." 

The United States was hesitant about getting involved in the war, but what else could they do after Pearl Harbor was attacked? The day after, the USA declared war and it wasn't until the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki that helped end it. Some say over 200,000 people were killed in those two bombings, many of whom were civilians. 

My dad was nearby those two areas. He was stationed on board a ship that sailed to Okinawa during WWII. I learned that "100,000 Okinawan men, women, and children perished in the fighting or committed suicide."

It may seem heartless that my dad was there and civilians died. I'm pretty sure he didn't want to be there, but knew death was part of war and only wanted to get home alive. I'm glad he did. 

He left Okinawa in February 1946. The bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki took place in August 1945, about 400 to 600 plus miles north of where he was. No telling how much longer the war would have lasted, and how many more would have died, without resorting to those extreme measures. 

He wasn't involved in the Korean War. He didn't re-enlist until it was almost over. But he was in the Vietnam War. I read it's where the term "collateral damage" was first used for civilian casualty. Sadly, civilians, throughout history, are sacrificed due to warmongering leaders. Civilians have only had a few choices: leave, surrender, or fight back. 

Of course, what side of the fence one is on will have people declaring who's right or wrong and who's good or bad. Also, the "he (she) started it first" is ad infinitum, along with twisted truths. About thirty years after WWII was over, I met a man who still despised the Japanese and wondered how many still despised us. 

So many wars... so much hate. You would think we've reached a time in history to say enough is enough...  let's live in peace... without resorting to more and more casualties... more extreme warfare.... more inhumane atrocities. But, I guess not. 

I'm sure it's because some truly believe their rewards will be in heaven. 

Good luck with that.