Chronology of World War II

Sunday, August 12th


Dropping Leaflets Instead Of Bombs


Dropping Leaflets Instead Of Bombs
Loading OWI leaflets for transport to the US air field on Saipan, 1945. On August 12, aircraft runs departed Saipan at 1:30, 4:30, 7:30 and 11:30pm, delivering to the people of Japan the news of their government’s surrender offer. The 4” x 5” leaflets rained down by the millions, telling the Japanese people: These American planes are not dropping bombs on you today. American planes are dropping these leaflets instead because the Japanese Government has offered to surrender.