On 8/6/1945, the plane named Enola Gay and flown by Paul Tibbets flew over Hiroshima looking for their predetermined target just as kids were beginning classes. The air raid sirens went off and the kids got under their desks, like that was going to help them from what was about to happen. A few minutes later, the all clear blast was given and the kids took their seats. A few minutes later, another air raid was sounded and this time the bomb doors were opened on the plane and the plane's payload was released. 43 seconds later, a bright flash of light appeared and instantly 80,000 people were vaporized. A mushroom cloud appeared and then dropped its radioactive particles over the city of Hiroshima as the cloud descended over the city. We think this will never happen again.
I wrote about this story before. Edgar Harrell has a really great book out on this event called, "Out of the Depths." Edgar died just a few years ago and was the last remaining survivor of the Indianapolis. He also tells the story on a YouTube video. I spent 30 years in the Marines and to this day, the USS Indianapolis is still being talked about. Edgar was a Marine stationed aboard the boat (ship) to aid in its security. The mission was so secret that no one even realized that it hadn't returned to port.I recently read "In Harms Way" by Doug Stanton. It is the story of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis - an excellent book.
The ship left the US July 16 1945, on a secret mission. It carried the components of "Little Boy".
After delivering the bomb, the ship was torpedoed in the South Pacific. Around 300 men died when the ship was hit - 900 survived.
By the time help arrived, only 317 were still alive.
Wow, great books, I have a first éd of On Thermonuclear War (OTW) in my library long time. Kahn was a Cold War icon.
I think this may be a PDF version.Wow, great books, I have a first éd of On Thermonuclear War (OTW) in my library long time. Kahn was a Cold War icon.
Stanley Kubrick s film 1963, Dr Strangelove, started with OTW, Dr Strangelove was said to be a combination of Dr Herman Kahn, Dr Werner Von Braun and Dr Edward Teller.
OTW is still relivant today. Our military and government responsable for the USA sécurité and defense should read OTW,but that assumes no the can read.....
From an optimist in the nuclear age
Jon