Maybe, maybe not. This is an issue where hindsight is 20/20, but I'm sure no one was willing to take the chance. I've heard this argument too, but it just doesn't seem exactly plausible, at least as explained. We're talking war and it's not enough to pin your strategy on hopes and dreams of signing surrender. Anyways, the firebombings of Tokyo and other targets was worse. That's why it's war. Hopefully some of those things never have to be repeated.