Fact Check: "US forces dropped 1,300 metric tons of incendiary bombs on Fukuoka."
What We Know
The claim that "US forces dropped 1,300 metric tons of incendiary bombs on Fukuoka" is not supported by historical evidence. The bombing of Fukuoka, which occurred on June 19, 1945, involved the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) deploying Boeing B-29 Superfortress bombers. During this operation, a total of 264 incendiary bombs were dropped on the city, which is significantly less than the claimed amount (Bombing of Fukuoka). The raid resulted in the destruction of approximately 1.37 square miles of urban area, accounting for 21.5% of the city (Bombing of Fukuoka).
Analysis
The claim of 1,300 metric tons appears to be a gross exaggeration. According to the detailed accounts of the bombing raids, the total weight of the bombs dropped during the June 19 raid was far less than the figure cited in the claim. The 264 incendiary bombs mentioned in the historical records do not come close to the 1,300 metric tons asserted (Mission 53 - Fukuoka).
To put this into perspective, if we consider that a standard incendiary bomb weighs around 100 pounds (approximately 45 kg), the total weight of the bombs dropped would be approximately 12 tons (or about 11 metric tons). This is a stark contrast to the 1,300 metric tons claimed.
The sources used to substantiate the claim lack credibility and do not provide verifiable data to support such a large figure. The historical context provided by reliable sources such as Wikipedia and specialized military history sites indicates that the bombing campaign was extensive but does not support the inflated numbers presented in the claim.
Conclusion
Verdict: False. The assertion that US forces dropped 1,300 metric tons of incendiary bombs on Fukuoka is not accurate. The documented evidence shows that only 264 incendiary bombs were dropped during the June 19, 1945 raid, resulting in approximately 12 tons of explosives, far below the claimed amount.
