The question of a “third bomb” refers to historical discussions around whether the United States had plans to drop another atomic bomb on Japan following the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945. According to historical accounts, the US did have plans for additional atomic bombings. A transcript uncovered by former regional editor Don Hale suggests a third bomb was being assembled and had a production line of 12 others being prepared, intended to hit Japan on August 19, 1945, if the country had not surrendered four days earlier.
The US military had started preparing a third bomb, with components being transported to Tinian Island in the Pacific. General Leslie Groves and Captain William S. Parsons were involved in ensuring the readiness to assemble and deliver additional atomic bombs in case negotiations with Japan broke down. Some sources indicate the third bomb might have been intended for targets like Tokyo or Sapporo.
However, Japan’s surrender following the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki led to the cancellation of further bombings. Robert Oppenheimer reportedly halted the shipment of a plutonium core scheduled for August 20, pending explicit orders from President Truman. While there were more atomic bombs in production, the end of World War II meant these were not deployed.
