Bombing Of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
On August 6, 1945, the United States finally put their massive, atomic weapon to test, using it to set an attack against Hiroshima, Japan. This atomic bomb was the equivalent of 20,000 tons of TNT. It completely flattened and destroyed the city, and killed tens of thousands of civilians. Three days later, while Japan was still struggling to cope with the results of the previous attack, the United States struck once again, this time, on Nagasaki.
Hiroshima
On Monday, August 6, 1945, at 2:45 a.m., a B-29 bomber, named the Enola Gay, departed from a North Pacific island in the Marianas, Tinian. This island was just 1,500 miles south of Japan. The twelve-man crew were on board to ensure that the secret mission they were pursuing went smoothly. The pilot Colonel Paul Tibbets had nicknamed the B-29 the "Enola Gay" after his mother. Just before the take-off, the plane's new nickname was slickly painted onto its side.
The Enola Gay was a B-29 "Superfortress" that was a part of the 509th Composite Group. However, in order to be capable to carry such a heavy and massive load as an atomic bomb, the Enola Gay was reshaped. It had new propellers, sturdier engines, and faster opening bomb bay doors. However, even though it had been modified, the plane still had to use the full length runway to acquire the required speed. Because of this, the jet did not lift off until it was right near the water's edge.
The Enola Gay was a B-29 "Superfortress" that was a part of the 509th Composite Group. However, in order to be capable to carry such a heavy and massive load as an atomic bomb, the Enola Gay was reshaped. It had new propellers, sturdier engines, and faster opening bomb bay doors. However, even though it had been modified, the plane still had to use the full length runway to acquire the required speed. Because of this, the jet did not lift off until it was right near the water's edge.
On a hook in the ceiling of the plane hug the ten-foot atomic bomb, "Little Boy." Navy Captain William S. Parsons ("Deak"), was the Enola Gay's weaponeer. Parsons had been the chief of the Ordnance Division in the "Manhattan Project," and he had been influential in the creation of the bomb. Therefore earning him the position of being responsible for arming the bomb while in-flight. About fifteen minutes into the flight (3:00 a.m.), Parsons had began to arm the atomic bomb, which took him approximately fifteen minutes. Later on, he stated that while arming "Little Boy," he "Knew that the Japs were in for it," but "Felt no particular emotion about it."
The Enola Gay was therefore accompanied by two other bombers that carried cameras and a variation of measuring devices. Earlier, three other planes had left in order to see the weather conditions over the possible targets. There had been a total of four cities that had been chosen as practicable targets: Hiroshima, Kikura, Nagasaki, and Niigata. These cities were chosen because they had been relatively unaffected during the war. The Target Committee wanted the first bomb to be "sufficiently spectacular for the importance of the weapon to be internationally recognized when publicity on it was released."
The Enola Gay was therefore accompanied by two other bombers that carried cameras and a variation of measuring devices. Earlier, three other planes had left in order to see the weather conditions over the possible targets. There had been a total of four cities that had been chosen as practicable targets: Hiroshima, Kikura, Nagasaki, and Niigata. These cities were chosen because they had been relatively unaffected during the war. The Target Committee wanted the first bomb to be "sufficiently spectacular for the importance of the weapon to be internationally recognized when publicity on it was released."
Finally, on August 6, 1945, Hiroshima, which was the first choice target, was reported to have clear weather. At 8:15 a.m. local time, the Enola Gay soared above the city, its doors being thrown open as "Little Boy" dropped down to the ground below. The bomb exploded approximately 1,900 feet above the city, and missed the target, the Aioi Bridge, by about 800 feet.
Unlike other bombing raids, the goal for this one had not been a military installation, but rather a whole city. The atomic bomb that had detonated over Hiroshima had killed, in addition to soldiers, civilian women and children. Hiroshima's population had been estimated at 350,000. Roughly 70,000 died immediately after the explosion, and another 70,000 died due to radiation within five years after the attack.
Unlike other bombing raids, the goal for this one had not been a military installation, but rather a whole city. The atomic bomb that had detonated over Hiroshima had killed, in addition to soldiers, civilian women and children. Hiroshima's population had been estimated at 350,000. Roughly 70,000 died immediately after the explosion, and another 70,000 died due to radiation within five years after the attack.
Nagasaki
While the citizens of Japan were still trying to comprehend and cope with the destruction in Hiroshima, the United States was already arranging a second attack. The second run was not detained in order to give Japan the time to surrender, but was waiting only for an ample amount of plutonium-239 for the atomic bomb. Then, on August 9, 1945, just three days after the bombing of Hiroshima, another B-29, Bock's Car, left Tinian at 3:49 a.m., making its journey to the second target - Nagasaki.
For this bombing, the first choice target had been Kokura. However, since the fog and haze over Kokura had averted the sighting of the bombing target, Bock's Car decided to continue onto its second target. At 11:02 a.a., the second atomic bomb nicknamed "Fat Man," was dropped over Nagasaki. This bomb exploded about 1,650 feet above the city.
Due to the bomb, approximately forty percent of Nagasaki was brought to ruins. Even though this atomic bomb was considered much stronger than the one that had exploded over Hiroshima, the terrain of Nagasaki stopped the bomb from doing as much damage. However, the death toll was still great. With a population of 270,000, approximately 70,000 people died by the end of the year.
Due to the bomb, approximately forty percent of Nagasaki was brought to ruins. Even though this atomic bomb was considered much stronger than the one that had exploded over Hiroshima, the terrain of Nagasaki stopped the bomb from doing as much damage. However, the death toll was still great. With a population of 270,000, approximately 70,000 people died by the end of the year.