In an attempt to force an unconditional surrender and avoid a costly land invasion of Japan, the United States dropped the first atomic bomb used in warfare on the city of Hiroshima. The bomb, a uranium-based device nicknamed 'Little Boy,' was carried by the B-29 bomber 'Enola Gay,' piloted by Colonel Paul Tibbets. The explosion, equivalent to 15,000 tons of TNT, decimated 70% of the city's buildings and killed an estimated 80,000 people instantly. By the end of 1945, the death toll rose to approximately 140,000 due to severe burns and radiation poisoning. Hiroshima was chosen because of its military significance as a regional army headquarters and major communications center. This event marked the beginning of the nuclear age and remains one of the most debated decisions in military history regarding its ethics and strategic necessity.