Operation Crossroads

62

Wiener Kurier (July 8, 1946)

Filmaufnahmen des Atombombenversuches verschwunden

Wahrscheinlich nur Filmstreifen von Zielschiffen

Bord der „McKinley“ (INS.) - Der Chef des Sicherheitsdienstes beim Unternehmen „Kreuzweg“, Oberst T. J. Betts, gab vorgestern zu, daß ein Teil der Filmaufnahmen des Atombombenversuches im Bikini-Atoll entweder gestohlen oder verloren wurde.

Der Streifen enthielt keine Aufnahmen der Explosion oder radioaktiven Wolke, sondern nur Bilder, die vor dem Versuch gemacht wurden, höchstwahrscheinlich Aufnahmen der Zielschiffe.

Betts erklärte, man mache sich über den Verlust keine besonderen Sorgen, da die Aufnahmen unwichtig seien. Er selbst sei der Auffassung, daß gar kein Diebstahl vorliege, sondern daß der Kurier einfach seine Aktentasche verloren habe.

Nächster Atombombenversuch schon am 24. Juli?

Der Präsident des Technologischen Institutes von Massachusetts, Dr. Karl Compton, erklärte vorgestern, daß der nächste Atombombenversuch, den die amerikanische Kriegsmarine für den 25. Juli festgesetzt hat, möglicherweise schon einen Tag früher durchgeführt werden könnte.

Im übrigen sagte der Gelehrte voraus, daß die Schrauben und Maschinenanlagen der Schiffe bei diesem Experiment bedeutend größeren Schaden erleiden würden als bei dem ersten Versuch. Es könne sein, daß die Schiffskörper und Aufbauten durch die Explosion von unten eingedrückt und einzelne Schiffe sogar aus dem Wasser gehoben werden.

Größere Gefährdung durch Radioaktivität erwartet

Die erste Wirkung der unter der Wasseroberfläche erfolgenden Explosion werde eine gewaltige Wassersäule sein; von allen Seiten werden dann die Wassermassen in den Explosionstrichter stürzen und die dadurch entstandene Flutwelle werde über das Bikini-Atoll hinweggehen, dieses jedoch nicht zerstören.

Die Ozeanographen seien der Ansicht, so erklärte Dr. Compton weiter, daß es bei dem zweiten Versuch viel länger dauern werde, bevor man ohne Gefährdung durch die Radioaktivität des Wassers in die Bikini-Lagune einfahren könne. Dagegen werde den Beobachtern bei dem Unterwasserversuch weniger Gefahr drohen als bei dem ersten Versuch. „Es bleibt die Frage“, so stellte Dr. Compton noch fest, „wie weit sich der radioaktive Sprühregen verbreiten wird. Ich nehme an, daß man in einer Entfernung von ungefähr 16 Kilometer in Sicherheit sein wird.“

63

The Evening Star (July 8, 1946)

Gen. Ramey confirms theft of bomb film

KWAJALEIN (AP) – Theft in New York of a package of atomic bomb test film was confirmed today by Brig. Gen. Roger M. Ramey, but he said the thief obtained only an unimportant sequence of the preliminary drop of a practice bomb.

The film was being flown to Rochester, New York, to test the speed of delivery, the 20th Bombing Command chief said.

The Navy announced in Washington Saturday night that 1,275 feet of “unimportant film” exposed three weeks before the real atomic bomb test, had disappeared and an investigation was under way. The film was stolen from an officer courier in New York.

64

The Pittsburgh Press (July 8, 1946)

Thumbs nose at A-bomb –
Wrecked topsides by atom, sub sails under own power

Vessel found intact inside despite pressure of 500 pounds per square inch

OFF BIKINI ATOLL (UP) – The submarine Skate thumbed its nose today at the atomic bomb – and the public.

From all outward appearances a total wreck after the atomic blast a week ago, the Skate came back and proceeded under her own power past the USS Mt. McKinley, Operation Crossroads flagship.

Vice Adm. W. H. P. Blandy, boss of the atom test project, boarded the Skate to see what was keeping her afloat. She had taken the atomic blow estimated at 500 pounds per square inch and had been so thoroughly mangled topsides that she was ordered beached lest she sink.

But not even the atom bomb’s unimaginable power had been able to blast the heavy hull which permits submarines of the Skate’s class to submerge hundreds of feet.

“Inside of her,” Adm. Blandy said, “you’d never have known there had been an atomic bomb blast.”

He added that Lt. Cmdr. E. P. Huey of Cisco, Texas, the Skate’s skipper, and his crew were so proud of their vessel that they wanted to sail her back to the United States without repairs.

But the Skate has still to go through Test Baker, the shallow underwater atomic burst scheduled for July 25. This second test is expected to inflict much more damage against hulls than the Able Day air drop.

The skate had a 10-foot-long dent in her conning tower. But Adm. Blandy refused to give the bomb credit for it. He said he thought “something heavy hit her” – perhaps an airplane engine from the Nevada.

Cmdr. Roger Revelle, a Navy oceanographer, said that Test Baker might blast a crater in the sea bottom 1,000 feet across and 50 to 100 feet deep. He said the first test had absolutely no effect on the lagoon floor or the coral formation of Bikini atoll.

65

Bikini rehearsal films disappear

KWAJALEIN (UP) – Secret atomic films which disappeared in the Eastern United States June 30 were “of no particular value,” Brig. Gen. Roger Ramey, commander of the air units taking part in Operations Crossroads, declared today.

Gen. Ramey, who officially disclosed the loss of the film, said it apparently disappeared while it was in the care of an officer-courier, not a member of his command. The film was sent in a briefcase to test courier delivery channels and was either lost or stolen somewhere between Binghamton, New York, and Washington.

The film was believed to consist of one roll of black and white shots and a roll of colored pictures depicting the full-dress rehearsal two weeks ago for the atom bomb test. It was marked “top secret.”

“The film was believed to show only the disposition of the target array as a flash marking device used to mark the bomb hit failed to work that day,” Gen. Ramey said. “And because service and transport ships also were in Bikini lagoon, I dare anybody to stick out the actual target array.

“The picture were taken as a practice measure to be sure of the time it would take the cameras to get the picture marking the charge.”

Officers here said that since the pictures were not of the atomic bomb test itself, they would be of little value to anybody seeking atom bomb secrets.

66

Wiener Kurier (July 9, 1946)

Unterwasserexplosion der Atombombe wird Riesenkrater erzeugen

Feststellung eines Fachmannes für Tiefseevermessung

Bikini-Atoll (UP.) - Ein Fachmann für Tiefseevermessung der amerikanischen Marine, Kapitän Revelle, erklärte, die nächste Atombombenexplosion, die bekanntlich in geringer Tiefe unter Wasser erfolgen wird, würde am Grund der Bikini-Lagune einen gewaltigen Krater von 300 Meter Durchmesser und 30 Meter Tiefe hervorrufen.

Die erste Atombombe, sagte Revelle, habe den Meeresgrund in keiner Weise verändert, doch habe man dies – die Bombe detonierte in der Luft – auch gar nicht erwartet.

U-Boot-Schiffsrumpf hält dem Luftdruck stand

Ein U-Boot läßt sich auch durch eine Atombombe nicht so leicht aus der Fassung bringen. Dies zeigt das Beispiel der „Skate“, eines Unterseebootes, das der Zielflotte zugeteilt war und in verhältnismäßiger Nähe der detonierenden Atombombe war. Es sieht nach außen hin völlig abgewrackt aus. Alle Aufbauten sind nahezu wegrasiert, aber der eigentliche Schiffsrumpf des Bootes, der ja so konstruiert ist, daß er dem enormen Wasserdruck in dreißig Meter Tiefe erfolgreich Widerstand leisten kann, völlig intakt geblieben.

Fachleute erwarten sich erst von der Detonation einer Atombombe in tiefem Wasser – ein entsprechender Versuch ist für kommendes Frühjahr in der Nähe des Bikini-Atolls geplant – eine durchgreifende Wirkung auf die Schiffskörper von Unterseebooten.

67

L’Aube (July 9, 1946)

Le sous-marin « Skate » a bien résisté à la bombe atomique

Mais on ne saurait sous-estimer l’effet de l’explosion de Bikini

Le submersible « Skate », bien que sévèrement endommagé au cours de l’explosion de Bikini, a démontré la solidité des sous-marins américains en croisant par ses propres moyens, dans les eaux du lagon.

Le « Skate », croit-on, se trouvait presque en plein sous la bombe. Les superstructures de sa coque sont entièrement déchiquetées mais cependant il est resté à flot et le vice-amiral L. W. H. P. Blandy qui est monté à bord du bâtiment, a déclaré aux journalistes : « Si vous vous étiez trouvé à l’intérieur du « Skate », vous n’auriez jamais cru qu’il y avait une explosion atomique ».

On ne saurait cependant minimiser l’effet de l’explosion. Le résultat s’il a pu paraître faible n’en a pas moins été obtenu par une seule bombe explosant à 800 mètres du cuirassé cible. On rappelle à ce sujet qu’il a fallu huit torpilles sous-marines de plus d’une tonne pour couler le cuirassé « Bismarck » et une attaque de 700 avions pendant sept heures pour couler le « Yamato ».

68

Les films volés a New-York n’étaient pas « atomiques »

Le colonel T. J. Betts, chef adjoint des services de renseignements de l’expédition de Bikini, a déclaré que le film en couleurs dont on a annoncé le vol à New-York, représentait une série d’essais techniques antérieurs a l’« Atom Day ».

Il a ajouté que cette affaire n’avait aucune importance.

69

The Waterbury Democrat (July 9, 1946)

Views wreckage –
Respect for A-bomb grows in reporter; flash sears decks

By Frank H. Bartholomew

EDITOR’S NOTE: Frank H. Bartholomew, United Press vice president of the Pacific division, represented the combined press in the observer plane that covered the dropping of the atomic bomb at Bikini. Subsequently, he made two close-up examinations of the damaged ships. Following is the second of two dispatches in which Bartholomew expresses the opinion the test was a success.**

BIKINI ATOLL (UP) – Long fingers of fire reached out from the center of the atomic bomb explosion to sear individual target ships sitting in Bikini Lagoon.

Damage to naval vessels appeared to come primarily from this “flash wave” and a subsequent inspection of top-secret Army Air Forces photographs virtually confirmed that impression.

Color pictures showed forked lightning reaching for each ship.

Incineration general

Another photo showed a shock wave from the central explosion clearly outlined in a perfect circle, more than a mile in diameter, upon the surface of the lagoon and apparently spreading rapidly.

My respect for the bomb continued to grow when I was permitted to board the heavy cruiser Pensacola. There I found a general incineration of everything burnable above decks, plus wreckage caused by blast pressure.

I also boarded the Prinz Eugen and the Nevada. Only minor damage was discernable on the Prinz while the Nevada was badly hurt.

Conclusion drawn

In conclusion, I would sum up the test this way:

NEGATIVE SIDE: This was a lazy bomb, like a slow motion picture, lacking in advertised awesome savagery. It was not as strong as its predecessors, if a comparatively small flash and quick, dissipating cloud were fair units of measurement. I doubt its power equaled 20,000 tons of TNT, if that means the approximate equivalent of 6,000 ordinary high explosive bombs. I saw what high explosives and incendiaries did to Japan and I believe the statistics released so far tend to overrate the atomic bomb, comparatively. Also, I unscientifically refuse to believe the surviving sheep and goats aboard the battleship Nevada actually were exposed to a temperature of 100,000,000 degrees Fahrenheit at the center of the bomb blast 1,000 feet away.

POSITIVE SIDE: No single bomb in history ever sank five ships nor dealt out such searing damage to so many others. The next test of a bomb detonated below the water’s surface can be fairly depended upon to deal far greater lethal damage to the watertight integrity of the target vessels. The fact that mice flown through the atomic cloud aboard drones and goats aboard drones and goats aboard target vessels are still living should not be taken to mean the bomb failed as an anti-personnel weapon since scientists generally agree those animals will all die subsequently of radiation burns. Finally, it might be remembered that against such an enemy fleet as imagination might cause this target to represent, it is hardly likely an aggressor would drop a single atomic bomb, in view of the 800-plane raid technique evolved against Japan before Hiroshima. It seems a fair bet that three atom bombs properly aimed, would render every ship here in a sinking condition and make casualties of the entire personnel.

Still deadly

One final fact seems to have escaped popular attention in comparisons. At Hiroshima and Nagasaki, from the bulls-eye outward in every direction, there were thousands of factories and homes which went down in an impressive, unbroken vista of ruins.

At Bikini, there were 73 ships and between them nothing to sustain any record damage by the peaceful acres of calm, blue water.

I think we possess a magnificent weapon which is not yet thoroughly understood and about which we should not draw any hard, fast or extreme conclusions. The atomic bomb is just as deadly as it ever was and will get more so.

70

The Evening Star (July 9, 1946)

Naval torpedo station cited for record output

The Naval Torpedo Station, Alexandria, Virginia, has been commended by the chief of the Bureau of Ordnance for “outstanding” production of vital material necessary for success of the Bikini atom bomb tests, it was announced today.

The commendation says station workers manufactured ten more velocity meters in three weeks than it was previously estimated could be produced in four weeks of continuous work.

71

The Pittsburgh Press (July 9, 1946)

Air observers will approach within 10 miles of atom test

OFF BIKINI ATOLL (UP) – Vice Adm. W. H. P. Blandy, Operation Crossroads commander, considered a proposal today to allow airborne observers to approach as close as 10 miles to Bikini Lagoon when the atom bomb is exploded underwater in a second test July 25.

Col. Robert Snider, radiological safety officer for the project, said he had made such a recommendation to Adm. Blandy when studies showed “the danger area of radiation would be confined to an eight-mile circle as we had predicted for the first test.”

In the first test, when the bomb was exploded in the air, observers were excluded from a 20-mile radius lest they should be periled by harmful radiations from the deadly atomic cloud.

Brig. Gen. Roger Ramey, commander of air units taking part in the atom tests, said he has asked Adm. Blandy to fly a B-29 directly over the underwater blast to take photographs.

“Observations have convinced us that safety factors will permit such a flight with a reasonable safety factor at 30,000 feet and a definite safety factor at 35,000 feet,” Gen. Ramey said.

Meanwhile, Adm. Blandy announced that if the able-day atom bomb had exploded over the battleship Nevada as intended, the 30-year-old warship would have been sunk or totally disabled.

Instead, the bomb exploded at a distance variously estimated at from 500 to 1,900 feet from the Nevada, near the transport Gilliam, The Gilliam “sank in a matter of seconds,” Adm, Blandy said.

Divers found the Gilliam’s hull ripped open vertically in two different places and her stack was “shredded like a bouquet of flowers,” he added.

Adm. Blandy spiked for once and all reports that the bomb burst higher in the air than intended. He said that although it missed its aiming point radially, it went off exactly at the planned height.

Aboard the battleship Pennsylvania, magazines were four degrees cooler than before, Adm. Blandy said, because the bomb burst shook the dirt out of the ventilation system.

“The atom bomb is a terrifying system of housekeeping,” he commented.

72

Wiener Kurier (July 10, 1946)

Nächster Atombombenversuch wird genaue Beobachtung ermöglichen

Flugzeuge nur 15 Kilometer von Lagune entfernt

Bikini-Atoll (UP.) - Bei dem zweiten Atombombenversuch am 25. Juli werden sich die Beobachtungsflugzeuge im Augenblick der Unterwasserexplosion mindestens 15 Kilometer von der Lagune entfernt halten müssen, während bei dem ersten Versuch die Distanz mit 30 Kilometer bemessen war.

General Roger Ramey, der Befehlshaber der Luftwaffeneinheiten, die an dem Versuch teilnehmen, erbat sich vom Vizeadmiral Blandy die Erlaubnis, in etwa 13 Kilometer Entfernung die Explosionsstelle zu überfliegen, um Aufnahmen zu machen. Da das Flugzeug gegen den Wind fliegen wird, ist die Gefahr, in die Explosionswolke zu geraten, gering, ebenso wie die emporgeschleuderten Wassermassen das Flugzeug nicht erreichen können, daß sich mit 600 bis 700 Kilometer Geschwindigkeit fortbewegt.

73

The Wilmington Morning Star (July 10, 1946)

Airborne group may get closer

Vice Adm. Blandy considering 10-mile vantage point

OFF BIKINI ATOLL, July 9 (UP) – Vice Adm. W. H. P. Blandy, Operation Crossroads commander, considered a proposal Tuesday to allow airborne observers to approach as close as 10 miles to Bikini Lagoon when the atom bomb is exploded underwater in a second test July 25.

Col. Robert Snider, radiological safety officer for the project, said he had made such a recommendation to Blandy when studies showed “the danger area of radiation would be confined to an eight-mile circle as we had predicted for the first test.”

20-mile radius

In the first test, when the bomb was exploded in the air, observers were excluded from a 20-mile radius lest they should be periled by harmful radiations from the deadly atomic cloud.

Brig. Gen. Roger Ramey, commander of air units taking part in the atom tests, said he has asked Blandy to fly a B-29 directly over the underwater blast to take photographs.

Safety factor

“Observations have convinced us that safety factors will permit such a flight with a reasonable safety factor at 30,000 feet and a definite safety factor at 35,000 feet,” Ramey said.

The B-29 would fly downwind at a speed of between 500 and 600 miles an hour, Ramey said. “It would take the blast waves roughly eight seconds to reach the plane, and by that time we hope to be out of the danger area.”

Probable damage

Meanwhile, Blandy announced that if the Able-Day atom bomb had exploded over the battleship Nevada as intended, the 30-year-old warship would have been sunk or totally disabled.

Instead, the bomb exploded at a distance variously estimated at from 500 to 1,900 feet from the Nevada, near the transport Gilliam. The Gilliam “sank in a matter of seconds,” Blandy said.

Stack shredded

Divers found the Gilliam’s hull ripped open vertically in two different places and her stack was “shredded like a bouquet of flowers,” he added.

74

The Pittsburgh Press (July 10, 1946)

A-bomb may have cracked boilers of target fleet

Experts believe blast arched ships like taut bow, new naval designs needed
By Jim G. Lucas, Scripps-Howard staff writer

HONOLULU – Naval experts here believe it possible that the ships in Bikini lagoon during the atom bomb test were arched fore and aft like a taut bow by the blast and then snapped back into shape when the pressure was dissipated.

The facts will not be known until Adm. W. H. P. Blandy’s staff completes its inventory of below-deck damage. Such a revelation is regarded as likely.

If this happened it will mean damage to the target fleet far more extensive and serious than was believed at first.

The boilers of any ship subject to that kind of pressure, would be cracked and the engine-room crews would be scalded. It would mean also instant loss of power and mobility.

The fleet could no longer maneuver and would be “sitting-duck” targets for attacking planes.

Soon after the experiment, Rear Adm. T. A. Solberg, salvage director, said the blast probably dislodged fire bricks in all boilers, necessitating temporary shutdown for repairs.

If the below decks damage to the Bikini fleet was extensive, the Navy may be forced drastically to revise future ship construction.

So far, the Navy has taken great pride in the fact that the bomb did not damage the hulls of the ships remaining afloat.

75

The Evening Star (July 11, 1946)

Bikini goat is reported dead, pig in fair health, rats fine

By W. H. Shippen Jr., Star staff correspondent

KWAJALEIN – First word from the Washington-bound survivors of the guinea pig fleet reveals that Pig No. 311, only survivor of the sunken Jap cruiser in the atom test, is in fair health, and three rats born on the bridge of the Pennsylvania are doing nicely.

However, grapevine reports say that Gus the Goat, renowned resident of the battleship Nevada, who greeted unblinkingly from the quarterdeck members of the first boarding party the day after the explosion, is dead.

Officers from the atomic ark Burlesson said today it is too early for any conclusions on the pigs, goats and rats, the condition of which will be under scrutiny for years and into several generations to detect possible mutations. All releasable statistics are to be sifted through the task force commander. Vice Adm. W. H. P. Blandy, to head off preliminary guesses and reportorial estimates which might confuse the American public.

It’s too early for even a tentative conclusion, in the opinion of Capt. Shields Warren, cancer research and radiation specialist assigned to Crossroads Operation and attached to the Naval Medical Research Laboratory at Bethesda, Maryland.

For preliminary work on biological tests, some animals will be flown to Washington immediately. Others will arrive by surface transportation, and those succumbing to atomic injuries will be autopsied and vital parts shipped in preservative. Genetic studies will be of special importance when the Navy distributes biological specimens among its own research institutions and the universities of Chicago, California, Rochester, Leland, Stanford and Harvard.

Only about a third as many animals is exposed to the air drop will be subjected to the subsurface blast tentatively set for July 25, it was said. High priority goats or pigs bound for the States by air may get home even before some distinguished ships.

Pig No. 311, only survivor on the Jap cruiser Sakawa which was sunk, swam for almost 24 hours in Bikini Lagoon before being rescued. The pig was identified by a collar containing his name, blood type and other information of a personal nature.

Other characters on ark Burlesson anchored about half a mile off shore include the goat, “B. O. Plenty,” which the crew can locate in dark. Gup, a big husky black scrapper, built up a reputation as a bully. Given enough room for a running start, Gus could spring a bulkhead, his admirers said.

Exposure to atomic blast could change coloring pattern and body shape of fruit flies in succeeding generations, Capt. Warren said. Vital mutations also could occur in various grains like corn or wheat exposed to radiation. Reactions of living tissue to such burns is in general very slow and not, as Capt. Warren pointed out, like falling down a gangway and breaking leg. The expert fears many people at home will be supplied misinformation from sources jumping the gun and judging results too early and before all returns are in hand. He estimates a thorough job will take at least a year and perhaps much longer.

Little is known as yet or relationship if any to radiation exposure and cancer. Some cancer-infected animals were brought on the Burlesson but the mortality is high because cancer progresses more rapidly in animals than humans.

Basic mutations, Capt. Warren said, could appear in the first generation or skip several generations. He pointed out that Japanese exposed at Hiroshima and Nagasaki show increasing evidence of sterility although some of this may be shock or mental collapse. It seems possible that changes may occur in children of persons exposed to atomic energy of great force, but no evidence to this effect has been developed in Japan. Reaction of goats and pigs may help to solve the mystery which is much discussed in this vicinity.

76

Expert urges dropping of 2 A-bombs yearly for half century

By Kenneth McArdle, North American Newspaper Alliance

KWAJALEIN – A 50-year experimental program in which one atomic bomb would be dropped every six months is necessary if we are to implement and extend knowledge being gained in the present series of tests.

This was the opinion expressed by Col. R. E. Jarmon, chief of the field evaluation section, Task Group No. 1.

Col. Jarmon, pleased with results of the initial tests and exposure of B-17 Flying Fortresses to the effects of the atomic cloud, said this was proof that aircraft are able to take intense radio-activity without losing mechanical efficiency. The big four-engined planes returned to their base radioactively hot but in perfect working order.

Regardless of the possible fate of flying rats which were removed alive from the drone planes and are now under close observation at Bikini, the fact the planes themselves were operatively unaffected by the atom bomb burst cloud is considered important in future military aviation.

Recheck planned

Col. Jarmon is most eager to repeat the main phases of the “Able Day” aerial circus on “Baker Day” which will provide a recheck of the initial findings as well as discover results under changed conditions upon engines and instruments.

But if experimentation terminates with the end of the present series of tests, Col. Jarmon fears a period of stagnation which will result in the ultimate dissipation of present gains.

“If we want to find out about atom bombing, the public must be ready for the dropping of many more bombs,” he said. “This kind of information cannot be gained in laboratories. We must test each new improvement and find out how the results can be improved upon.”

Asked if he meant a program of one bomb every six months during the next few years, he said: “I would say one every six months during the next 50 years.”

The extreme success of the delicate drone operations during the “Able test,” which saw the atom bomb exploded above the surface, was gratifying to these men who have been working many months perfecting remote control techniques. They consider the future unlimited for robot control of military craft.

Col. Jarmon pointed out that television readings of instrument panels were limited to the two planes not going beyond each other’s horizon. But, he declared, the potential limits of drome operations are identical with the effective limits of radio impulses.

“In other words,” Col. Jarmon explained, “it is quite feasible by extension of present principles to dispatch pilotless planes 1,000 miles at extreme altitudes, trip the bomb releases by radar, and bring the planes safely back to base.”

77

The Pittsburgh Press (July 11, 1946)

Bikini films disappear; major grilled

Solution may hinge on dime check key

WASHINGTON (UP) – An unidentified Army major was being questioned by military authorities today in the search for missing films showing preparations for the Bikini atom bomb test.

The Army and Navy declined to report progress of their investigation. Another government source said the solution to the mystery hinged on the key to a dime check locker in New York.

This source said the major, who was assigned to delivering the films to the high command here, placed them in a locker during a tour of New York with a girlfriend. But on the following day, he couldn’t remember where it was.

Where’s the key?

In New York, the company operating the locker system said it could locate the box if it were furnished the key’s serial number and code letter.

But whereabouts of the key could not be learned, thereby adding still another note to the mystery.

The Joint Army-Navy Task Force which staged the Bikini test said its understanding was that the brief case containing the films disappeared after the major removed them from the locker.

Operations Crossroads officials declined to reveal the major’s current story.

First story wrong

But they acknowledged there was no truth to the originally announced version that the brief case was stolen while the officer made a telephone call from a pay station.

Under military regulations, the officer was charged with keeping the material with him at all times, or in a guarded three-tumbler safe.

Though the films were classified as “secret,” it was said by high officers that the actual value of them was “negligible.”

The films were described as scenes of unimportant pre-test operations. It was hinted, however, that no one knew exactly what the film showed.

78

Wiener Kurier (July 12, 1946)

Auswertungskommission für Atombombenversuche berichtet:
Atombombe wird Flottenbau revolutionieren

Washington (AND.) - Der kombinierte Armee- und Marinestab der Vereinigten Staaten legte gestern Präsident Truman den vorläufigen Bericht der Auswertungskommission für den Atombombenversuch vor, der am 1. Juli beim Bikini-Atoll vorgenommen wurde.

Nach der Beschreibung des Versuches und Aufzählung der größeren Schäden gab die Kommission folgende drei Feststellungen bekannt:

Grundlegende Erkenntnisse

  1. Die beim Bikini-Atoll abgeworfene Atombombe beschädigte mehr Schiffe, als dies je durch eine einzige Explosion der Fall war.

  2. Durch den Versuch war es möglich, geeignete Anhaltspunkte für den Neubau von Kriegsschiffen zu erhalten, um zu verhindern, daß der Aufbau des Schiffes und das Deckpersonal durch derartige Bomben Schaden erleiden. Wegen der Art der Explosion der ersten Bombe (Explosion in der Luft) konnte man nur wenig über ihre Wirkung auf die Schiffsrümpfe erfahren. Die Beschädigung der Schiffsrümpfe wird bei einem zweiten Versuch, bei welchem die Bombe unter Wasser zur Explosion gebracht werden soll, besonders studiert werden.

  3. Eine ungeheure Anzahl von Erkenntnissen, die sich auf wissenschaftlichem und technischem Gebiete als von unschätzbarem Wert erweisen werden, waren das Ergebnis des Versuches. Wieder einmal wurde die Notwendigkeit der Forschung im großen Stil drastisch gezeigt. Es steht außer Frage, daß die Mühe und die Kosten, die mit diesem Versuch verbunden waren, weitgehend gerechtfertigt sind, durch die erhaltene Information und dadurch, daß der Spekulationsbereich stark eingeschränkt wurde. Außerdem ist es der Kommission klar, daß die Vereinigten Staaten ihre gegenwärtige Stellung auf wissenschaftlichem Gebiete nur durch weitere großangelegte Forschungs- und Entwicklungsarbeit aufrechterhalten können. Dies muß im Interesse der nationalen Sicherheit geschehen.

Versuch war geschickt angelegt

Den Vorsitz der Kommission hatte Dr. Karl D. Compton und sein Stellvertreter war Bradley Dewey. Ferner gehörten ihr an Thomas F. Farrell, General Joseph W. Stilwell, Generalleutnant Lewis H. Brereton, Konteradmiral W. R. Purnell und Konteradmiral R. A. Ofsti.

In dem Bericht teilten die Mitglieder der Kommission mit, daß sie am Tage vor dem Versuch die Zielschiffe besichtigten, die Explosion von einem Flugzeug aus dreißig Kilometer Entfernung beobachtet und sich dann zu einer kurzen Besichtigung bis auf vierzehn Kilometer dem Atoll genähert hätten. Am folgenden Tag flogen sie nach Bikini und begannen mit der Untersuchung der auf den Schiffen angerichteten Schäden.

Nach Ansicht der Kommission war der Versuch gut angelegt und geschickt durchgeführt, um eine größtmögliche Menge von Ergebnissen auf objektiver und wissenschaftlicher Grundlage zu erhalten.

Nach den bisherigen Feststellungen der Kommission explodierte die Bombe mit einer Heftigkeit, welche an die der wirkungsvollsten der drei früher abgeworfenen Atombomben herankommt. Die Explosion fand 500 bis 700 Meter westlich vom Ziele und ungefähr in der gewünschten Höhe statt.

Die Anordnung der Zielschiffe entsprach in keiner Weise den im Ernstfall vorliegenden Bedingungen und wurde so gewählt, um bei einer einzigen Explosion die größtmögliche Anzahl von Auswertungsergebnissen zu erhalten.

Explosionen und Brände

Die durch die Bombe verursachten wichtigsten Wirkungen werden wie folgt beschrieben:

  1. Ein Zerstörer und zwei Transporter sanken sofort und ein weiterer Zerstörer kenterte. Auch dieser sank später, und der japanische Kreuzer „Sakawa“ sank am folgenden Tag. Der Aufbau des Unterseebootes „Skate“ wurde so schwer beschädigt, daß das Boot nicht mehr ohne Gefahr tauchen konnte. Der leichte Flugzeugträger „Independence“ wurde durch die Explosion schwer beschädigt. Er brannte aus und wurde durch kleinere Explosionen im Innern des Schiffes, zum Beispiel auch der Torpedos, weiter beschädigt. Keines der obigen Schiffe war weiter als 800 Meter von der Explosionsstelle entfernt.

  2. Auf zahlreichen anderen Schiffen brach Feuer aus. Eines dieser Schiffe befand sich mehr als drei Kilometer weit entfernt. Das Feuer war offensichtlich auf irgend einen außergewöhnlichen Umstand zurückzuführen, da sich die übrigen Brände bedeutend näher befanden. Man darf nicht vergessen, daß auf den Zielschiffen viel verschiedenes Material an Deck aufgehäuft war, das sich für gewöhnlich nicht an Deck von Kriegsschiffen befindet.

  3. Die einzigen größeren Schlachtschiffe, die sich innerhalb von 800 Metern von der Explosionsstelle entfernt befanden, waren die Schlachtschiffe „Nevada“ und „Arkansas“ und der schwere Kreuzer „Pensacola“. Ihre Rümpfe und die Haupttürme waren sichtlich nur wenig beschädigt, ihr Aufbau war jedoch schwer zerstört. Diese Schiffe waren zweifellos kampfunfähig und hätten ebenso wie viele andere, die sich innerhalb einer Entfernung von vier bis fünf Kilometern befanden, einer größeren Reparatur an einem Flottenstützpunkt bedurft.

  4. Andere Schiffe im Zielraum erlitten Beschädigungen in verschiedenem Ausmaße, die von der Lage und der Art der Schiffe abhingen. In einer Entfernung, die über 1,2 Kilometer hinausging, war jedoch verhältnismäßig wenig Schaden zu verzeichnen.

Deckausrüstung am widerstandsfähigsten

  1. Die wichtigsten Materialschäden waren durch die Explosion entstanden. Die Decks und die Eisenkonstruktion hatten sich geworfen, Gegenstände leichter Bauart, die exponiert waren, darunter Masten und Antennen, waren zerstört oder aus der Form gebracht. Zerstörungen von zweitrangiger Bedeutung entstanden durch das Feuer, und es ist bemerkenswert, daß Waren aus den Verpflegungsmagazinen und verschiedenes Material das für den Versuch an Deck gebracht worden war, sich als weniger widerstandsfähig erwiesen als die normale Deckausrüstung. Es muß darauf hingewiesen werden, daß sich das Feuer ungehindert ausbreiten konnte, da sich niemand an Bord befand, und zweifellos entstand hier mehr Schaden, als dies unter normalen Kampfbedingungen der Fall gewesen wäre. Sonderbarerweise lagen, obwohl eine ziemliche Menge von Explosivstoffen auf den Decks und in den Geschütz türmen angesammelt war, keine Anzeichen dafür vor, daß auf den nicht gesunkenen Schiffen durch direkte Einwirkung der Atombombe etwas von diesem Material zur Explosion gebracht wurde.

Keine Strahlenwirkung bei Deckung

  1. Bei einer Überprüfung der Wirkung welche die bei der Explosion erzeugte Strahlung gehabt hätte, ergab sich, daß ungedeckte Personen zu Schaden gekommen wären. Es ist jedoch die Ansicht der Kommission, daß Personen, welche sich innerhalb des Schiffsrumpfes in Deckung befunden hätten oder sogar auf Deck, wenn sie gegen die Strahlung der Bombe geschützt gewesen wären nicht sofort aktionsunfähig gemacht worden sein würden, welche Strahlenwirkung sich auch immer später noch gezeigt haben möge.

  2. Innerhalb des Gebietes, in welchem die Aufbauten der Schiffe größeren Schaden er litten, ist es jedoch offensichtlich, daß Personen, die sich in den Schiffen befunden haben würden, einer tödlichen Strahlungswirkung ausgesetzt worden wären.

Ferner heißt es in dem Bericht, daß kein bedeutendere Erscheinung auftrat, die man nicht erwartet hatte. Es entstand keine Wasserhose und die zurückbleibenden radioaktiven Ausstrahlungen verschwanden wieder in der erwarteten Weise. Auf der Insel Bikini, die ungefähr 5 Kilometer von der Explosionsstelle entfernt ist, entstand kein Schaden.

79

The Midland Journal (July 12, 1946)

Direct from Bikini:
An eyewitness account of atomic bomb blast

By Walter A. Shead, WNU Washington correspondent

ABOARD USS APPALACHIAN, OPERATIONS CROSSROADS – From a military standpoint the explosion of the fourth atomic bomb was a huge success but as a spectacle worth traveling 8,000 miles to see it did not live up to its advance billing. From the standpoint of efficiency and precision the plutonium bomb was dropped squarely in the target area. The advance weather predictions held true. It was dropped on time to the second. The air drones were sent through the cloud area and shepherded back by their mother ships. The boat drones were sent into the area of radioactivity and brought back via radio control. The cameras clicked and the instruments built especially to measure the results of the blast worked.

But to those of us here aboard the Appalachian, who had been orientated and lectured day after day for the past two weeks, who had interviewed scientists and scientific writers, the bomb burst and the atomic cloud were a disappointment.

The recapitulation of the damage showed the troop transports Gilliam and Carlisle sunk; the destroyer Lampson capsized; heavy damage was done to the submarine Skate, the light cruiser Pensacola, the carrier Independence, the Jap cruiser Sakawa, and the German pocket battleship Prinz Eugen. Light to negligible damage was caused on the Jap battleship Nagata, the battleship Nevada, the oiler No. 160 and LCM No. 1. Small fires were started and later extinguished on the destroyer Wilson, the Pensacola, the transport Briscoe, the Nevada, the carrier Saratoga and transports Niagara, Bladen, Banta, Butte, Cortland, Bracken and Faun and the battleship New York. Heaviest damage was caused on the Independence and the fire which burst into flames on her stern was more dramatic to watch than the bomb burst insofar as this writer was concerned.

Because the atomic cloud did not reach the heights achieved in previous drops was not considered as reflection upon the efficiency of the bomb. Reasons for the relatively low cloud given were that water absorbed much of the heat energy and the difference in atmospheric structure caused a slower rise.

It may be that those of us who stood along the starboard rail of the Appalachian were expecting too much. We had been led to believe from many sources to expect drama and adventure and excitement. Let me assure you there was no drama and certainly no excitement. I confess that as I pulled the polarized plastic goggles over my eyes as we heard the signal “bomb away” I did feel excited and tense as I awaited the blast. It came as I saw it, well above the horizon, a huge orange ball.

It might have been a fireworks display on the Fourth of July, although not near so dazzling. I watched the cloud appearing like nothing more than a huge cherry ice cream soda. Cream white on the surface but deep inside the hues were pink and rose, and it boiled and seethed up through a cumulous natural cloud which hid it from our view. I felt a slight “pft” in my ears but felt no heat blast. Seconds later the sound of detonation came like a distant peal or roll of thunder that’s all, but then we were 18 miles away.

Ten minutes after the blast the cloud had mushroomed up to a height of 26,000 feet and was approximately 12,000 feet across the top. The trade winds soon broke it up and it was pushed westward where it gradually leveled off and dispersed as our ship steamed slowly along the seaward side of Bikini Island.

We could see the ghost fleet in the lagoon through our binoculars. Fire amidship showed on the Saratoga. The Salt Lake City was ablaze. There appeared to be a small fire aboard the Nevada. These fires made a smoke haze over the lagoon, but it soon cleared away and as I look toward the lagoon now there is little indication of a fire anywhere.

We are changing course now, following the Mt. McKinley, Adm. Blandy’s flagship, apparently with the intention of entering the lagoon. Television receiving sets in the ward room of the Appalachian registered the blast from cameras installed on the island, then they went out of commission.

The carrier Independence likely suffered more damage than any other capital ship to its superstructure and all planes which were atop its flight deck were carried away. There was superficial or superstructure damage to other ships of the 73 in the target fleet but to me the pathos of the thing was emphasized when I saw the sturdy masts of the old Nevada brilliant in its orange paint, standing there still staunch and true despite the atomic bomb.

There was no wind, no waves and no thunderstorm. No trees were damaged on the island. There was no tidal wave and no earthquake. In fairness there was no prediction from the Navy or Army officials that any of these things might happen. The Navy frankly said they didn’t know what would happen. These wild predictions were made by scientists or scientific writers. Also, in all fairness to the officers of Joint Task Force No. 1 the bomb, which looked so small to the lay writers, may actually have been big.

Scientifically of course there can be no adequate judgment of the results until the instruments have been read, the damage on the various ships actually determined and measured. In the light of the objectives, the Navy and the Army had in mind the actual effect of the bomb on naval construction, Navy and Army material, armament, ordnance and other equipment.

Adm. Blandy, commander of the task force, issued a statement in which he said he was highly pleased with the whole operation; with the bomb drop and with the efficiency of the bomb. There are several aboard the ship who saw the Nagasaki bomb drop and the drop at Los Alamos, New Mexico. They declared this bomb appeared to be smaller, judging from the flash and the atomic cloud which in the case of Nagasaki soared to a height of about 55,000 feet.

There is no doubt that the force of this terrible energy is like nothing ever known on earth before but the distances out here are so great that the energy was dispersed and dissipated over a vast area. For instance, at Nagasaki the area of total bomb damage was in six square miles, or an area of about a mile and a half radius while the distance of the Nevada from the shore of Bikini Lagoon was about three miles. And the lagoon itself is 10 miles across and 25 miles long. It must also be remembered that as this story is written for transmission in time to get it to you there has been no actual assessment of the real damage. There may be more as we enter the lagoon and can visually assay the damage.

80

Precision marked Operations Crossroads

By Paul Feltus

When “Dave’s Dream” took to the dawn sky on Kwajalein Atoll, the long-planned and vast machinery of the Army Air Forces role in Operations Crossroads began to move with the precision of a great war mission.

The operation had been planned, but this time there was a new thrill of anticipation for they were dealing with the force of atomic energy.

The schedule for every one of the hundreds of planes and ships had been timed to the second. Everybody knew just what to do as the command plane headed for the target area of Bikini Lagoon.

The vast network of communications was set in motion. The weather man had said, “This is the day,” and General Ramey had said, “Let’s go.” Then the planes began to roll.

81

The Evening Star (July 12, 1946)

Arkansas and Saratoga slated for ‘hot spot’ in next atom test

ABOARD USS MOUNT MCKINLEY, Bikini (AP) – The old battleship Arkansas and the intrepid carrier Saratoga are on the hot spot for the second atomic bomb test July 25.

The veteran vessels showed up today among the cluster of ships which appear scheduled to be closest to the atomic depth charge which Vice Adm. W. H P. Blandy expects to fling ships and parts of ships high on top of a gigantic column of water.

The Saratoga, which was far on the outside of the first target array, steamed into a new inner position today. The Arkansas, oldest battleship in the Navy and damaged heavily in the first atomic blast, was maneuvered not far from the carrier.

Adm. Blandy told a news conference that most of the changes in the guinea pig fleet lineup would be made near the center, with the array of ships on the outer fringe modified but little.

The admiral, who is in command of the Crossroads operation, announced also that the scheduled hour lor the second test would be 8:50 a.m., Bikini time July 25 (4:50 p.m. EST July 24). He explained that there had been some misunderstanding resulting in the previous announcement of 8:30 a.m. (4:30 p.m. EST).

Dr. Norris E. Bradbury, Los Alamos, New Mexico, laboratory director, said he believed there would be little or no light brilliancy from the scheduled underwater blast, but if there was any light, it probably would take the form of a red glow. Adm. Blandy said the target ships which survive this second test and are able to operate under their own power will be returned to Pearl Harbor. Those unable to move under their own power will be sunk either in Bikini Lagoon or at sea.

The danger of radioactive water drifting well out into the ocean is one reason given by the military authorities for warning all ships to steer clear of the Bikini test scene. They might pick up radioactive contamination by taking on water for drinking or other purposes.

Task force officials are prepared to wait two or three weeks, if necessary, before boarding for inspections because of the possibility of radioactivity aboard.

The latest list, of ships touched by the original test bomb in a manner ranging from sinking to mere paint scorching stands at 58 – five sunk, six heavily damaged, five moderately damaged, eight damaged lightly and 34 damaged negligibly.