Atomic bombing mission in Japan by the United States Army Air Force, during World War II. U.S. military base in North Field, Tinian Island in Mariana Islands, South Pacific. Brigadier General Thomas F. Farrell, Deputy Commander, Atom Bomb Project thanks all people who contributed in the manufacturing of the bomb. He hopes that future use of the atomic power will be for peaceful purposes only.
Crew members of the B-29 Enola Gay are interviewed about their atomic bombing mission over Hiroshima Japan by the United States Army Air Force, during World War II. In this interview at North Field, Tinian Island in Marianas Islands, Public Relations Officer, Major John F. Moynahan (not seen) interviews Colonel Paul W. Tibbets, Jr., Pilot of the Enola Gay Among things Colonel Tibbets mentions, he recounts that he took a steep turn to avoid radiation from the explosion. When he saw the explosion he was surprised about its intensity. The cloud from explosion covered the whole city of Hiroshima.
Setting: North Field, Tinian,in Mariana Islands. Public Affairs Officer Major John F. Moynahan interviews Commander Frederick L. Ashworth of the U.S. Navy, who was the weaponeer on the B-29 called Bockscar (sometimes "Bock's Car") that dropped the atomic bomb on Nagasaki, Japan during World War II. He expressed initial concerns about not being able to bomb their primary target and having, instead, to proceed to their secondary target, Nagasaki.
Setting: North Field, Tinian Island in Marianas Islands. Major Charles Sweeney, pilot of the B-29 that dropped the atomic bomb on Nagasaki, is interviewed by Public Affairs Officer, Major John F. Moynahan, who identifies Sweeney as the "pilot of 'The Great Artiste', the second B-29 to drop an atomic bomb on the Empire." (Note: Major Sweeney was the regular pilot of the B-29, "The Great Artiste", which was scheduled to carry the bomb. But it needed to be re-instrumented for the mission. So, instead, he and his crew simply switched airplanes with Captain Frederick C. Bock and crew, whose B-29 "BocksCar" was already properly configured. Thus, "BocksCar" was the airplane from which Sweeney and crew actually dropped the bomb.) In the brief interview, Major Sweeney describes their difficulties in three tries at the primary target and their decision to proceed to their secondary target, Nagasaki. With less remaining fuel than planned, they were forced to recover at Okinawa. (World War II period).
Setting: Airbase at North Field, Tinian Island in Marianas Islands. Public Affairs Officer, Major John F. Moynahan (not seen) identifies Captain Kermit K. Beahan, bombardier of the B-29, "The Great Artiste." (Note: Captain Beahan was the regular pilot of the B-29, "The Great Artiste", which was scheduled to carry the bomb. But it needed to be re-instrumented for the mission. So, instead, its crew simply switched airplanes with the crew of the B-29 "BocksCar" which was already properly configured. Thus, "BocksCar" was the airplane from which bombardier Beahan actually dropped the bomb.) When asked about his experience, Captain Beahan recalls being greatly relieved when clouds parted and the target, Nagasaki, could be clearly seen. He felt that dropping the bomb on Nagasaki, was the biggest thrill of his lifetime. (World War II period).
Atomic bombing mission in Japan by the United States Army Air Force, during World War II. U.S. military base in North Field, Tinian Island in Mariana Islands, South Pacific. Captain Theodore J. Van Kirk, the navigator of 'Enola Gay' (B-29 which dropped atomic bomb on Hiroshima) is asked about his experience, by Public Affairs Officer, Major John F. Moynahan (seen only from the back at very end of clip). Captain Van Kirk stands in front of Enola Gay and states his belief that the new bomb they carried would be a great help in shortening the war.