In the final days of World War II, Japan was reeling from the devastating impact of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The U.S. had unleashed the power of nuclear weapons, forcing Japan to confront the reality of its potential destruction. But in the chaos of those last moments, Japan became convinced that a third bomb was on its way—a plane carrying another atomic bomb was thought to be heading for the country, and it was feared that the end was imminent. However, this plane, which Japan believed was on a mission of devastation, was not carrying another atomic bomb. It was something entirely different.
The plane in question was a B-29 Superfortress, the same type of aircraft that had delivered the first two bombs. On August 14, 1945, a few days after the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, a B-29 took off from the U.S. base on Tinian Island in the Pacific. This aircraft was part of a reconnaissance mission, but the Japanese, already reeling from the shock of atomic destruction, were convinced that it was another bombing run.
The fear of a third atomic bomb began to spread across Japan after rumors started circulating about the possibility of more bombs being dropped. Japan had already experienced the horror of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, and Nagasaki on August 9. With the country in a state of devastation, it was widely believed that the U.S. had an unlimited supply of atomic bombs and was prepared to drop them on more cities. This heightened sense of terror, combined with a lack of communication and the fog of war, led to widespread panic as this B-29 was spotted flying over Japanese airspace.
Japanese officials scrambled to prepare for a potential third bomb. The military was on high alert, and anti-aircraft defenses were readied in an effort to intercept any incoming threat. The idea of a third atomic bomb had become so ingrained in Japan’s mindset that it took full precedence over other tactical considerations. The reality, however, was far less catastrophic than what the Japanese believed.
The B-29 that caused all this fear wasn’t carrying an atomic bomb at all. In fact, it was on a different kind of mission—one designed not for destruction, but for reconnaissance. The aircraft was tasked with capturing photographic evidence of the bombings’ aftermath and assessing the damage that had been inflicted on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The United States wanted to better understand the impact of its new weapon, and this reconnaissance mission was vital for future nuclear strategy.
As the plane flew over Japan, it took photos of the wreckage left in the wake of the atomic bombings. It was not until later, when the Japanese understood the true nature of the mission, that the fear of a third atomic bomb started to subside. By then, however, the damage had already been done in terms of the psychological impact on the Japanese leadership and civilians.
The misconception of an impending third atomic bomb drop added to the mounting pressure on Japan’s decision-making process. On August 15, 1945, the Japanese emperor, Hirohito, broadcasted a message to the nation, announcing Japan’s surrender and bringing an official end to World War II. The Japanese surrender was largely influenced by the two atomic bombings, the Soviet Union’s declaration of war, and the overwhelming devastation the country had faced.
In hindsight, the “third atomic bomb” incident highlights the chaos and confusion that reigned during the final moments of the war. In the face of nuclear warfare, misinformation and fear spread like wildfire, with both the Japanese government and its citizens bracing for the worst. What they didn’t know was that the U.S. had no immediate plans to drop another bomb, as the war was effectively over by the time the reconnaissance flight took place.
Though no third atomic bomb was dropped, the perception of its imminent arrival was a testament to the terror and uncertainty that nuclear weapons introduced to the world. The fear of an unstoppable, apocalyptic weapon—and the belief that Japan could be annihilated at any moment—would go on to shape international politics and military strategies for years to come, marking the dawn of the nuclear age.