Chronology Regarding Truman and the Atom Bomb,
from 8/2/45 - 8/10/45 

August 2
The President and his party left Potsdam, and flew to Harrowbeer, near Plymouth. Byrnes flew in a separate plane from the President. The President first went aboard the cruiser Augusta, which was to take him home and then went with others to the battleship RENOWN where he was greeted by King George VI who was host at luncheon. Those present included Admiral Leahy, Secretary Byrnes, Viscount Halifax, Lord Lascelles, Admiral Leatham and Capt. Campbell. Leahy talked with the King about the atom bomb (Leahy's book, Page 430). Leahy did not think it would be as effective as expected - "it sounds like professor's dream to me." Byrnes wrote later (in his book,) that the King had learned from Churchill about the bomb test and was eager to know all about it. He said most of the luncheon conversation was devoted to the bomb. He said the only

skeptical one was Leahy and that the King joked with him about his skepticism.

The President and his party returned to the AUGUSTA and the King then came aboard for a brief farewell.

August 5
Word was received aboard the ship, then on the Atlantic, of the death of Senator Hiram Johnson.

August 6
News of the Hiroshima bombing was received aboard the ship. Byrnes and Leahy wrote of this. Leahy added (Page 432) that "only the British, the Dominion of Canada and ourselves gad [had] any information regarding details of the manufacture of this atomic weapon.

August 7
The President landed at Newport News and returned by train to Washington, arriving at 10:30 p.m.(See EAA diary). Kichisaburo Nomura, former Jap ambassador to US warned Japanese not to expect any compromise of the allies surrender terms. He characterized the Potsdam ultimatum as height of impertinence. Tokyo radio broadcast.

August 8
Moscow announced Soviet entry into war with Japan.

August 9
Nagasaki bombed; second atom bomb.

August 10
Japan sued for peace.

Original at:  http://www.whistlestop.org/