United States Commodore Ben Wyatt, the military governor of the Marshall Islands, addresses the natives of Bikini Atoll through his local interpreter James during “Operation Crossroads” (U.S. nuclear weapon testing program). Locals of Bikini Atoll sit down and listen to Wyatt. Other United States Navy personnel are present in the meeting. Interpreter speaks to the natives. A group of United States sailors gather outside a hut. They hold a sign that reads “CROSSROADS TAVERN”. Natives carry belongings and banana or pandan leaves toward LST. A woman carrying a large sack on her shoulders. Natives bring their belongings into a United States LST (Landing Ship, Tank). An outrigger loaded with boxes floats near the LST.
The B-29, "Dave's Dream," taking off from Roswell Air Base, New Mexico, for the Marshall Islands, to participate in Operations Crossroads. Major Woodrow P. Swancutt, pilot of the B-29 Superfortress bomber, "Dave's Dream," leads his crew as they all don their parachutes and survival gear prior to boarding the aircraft for takeoff. They then enter the aircraft via a crew ladder in the nose wheel well area.
Cluster of test vessels is seen in aerial view of test site, Bikini Atoll, Pacific Ocean. Baker test, of underwater atomic bomb explosion, in Operation Crossroads, July, 1946. Detonation produces large shock wave, water column and mushroom cloud.
Operation Crossroads atomic tests. Major General Curtis Lemay, Commander 20th Air Force, converses with his staff. The 509th Composite Group of B-29 bombers, from 20th Air Force is providing the atomic bomber aircraft for Test Able in the Cross Roads atomic testing sequence.
Test Baker during Operation Crossroads at Bikini atoll in the Pacific Ocean. Test ships are seen in distance. The scene is static until about 3 minutes into the clip, when an Atomic bomb suspended beneath an anchored ship detonates. A large flat cloud spreads across the water followed by appearance of a huge vertical column of water that creates tremendous wave engulfing test ships, as it descends back down again.
View from the air of atomic Test Able explosion during Operation Crossroads atomic tests. The target fleet of ships in Bikini Lagoon is clearly visible. The mushroom cloud rises rapidly.