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The Great Tragedy: a "New Type of Bomb" Out of the Blue
Hiroshima had suffered no serious bombing, and August 6, 1945, began as just one more hot summer's day. Suddenly, at 8:15 a.m. the first atomic bomb ever experienced by a human population exploded directly above people going about their everyday lives. Tens of thousands killed instantly had no idea what happened to them.
Those left alive scrambled desperately to escape the spreading fire. Many who managed to reach safety found themselves badly burned and suffering from vomiting, diarrhea, fever and other acute effects of radiation poisoning. Most died in agony, never knowing why. In the all-engulfing turmoil, most survivors received neither adequate treatment nor information. |
The Mushroom Cloud soon after detonation
August 6, 1945
Photo by Gonichi Kimura
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One hour after detonation - Hiroshima in flames
August 6, 1945
Photo by Gonichi Kimura
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In Hiroshima on the day of the bombing, 2,270 m from the hypocenter
August 6, 1945 Photo by Yoshito Matsushige
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Still smoldering city
August 7, 1945 Photo by Mitsugi Kishida
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Survivors who fled to this relief station
August 8, 1945
Photo by Mitsugi Kishida
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Newspaper article dated August 7
Courtesy of Asahi Shimbun
The first report of the atomic bombing was extremely understated. "At approximately 7:50 a.m. two B29s flew over the city of Hiroshima." In Japan at that time, the military strictly censored all news. Almost daily US bombing raids were hardly mentioned at all.
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