Item #12598 Enola Gay Weapons Officer: "..My final act was to switch electrical plugs in the Little Boy bomb itself - thus arming the bomb..." He also writes about civilian targets in a nuclear war. Jeppson, ATOM BOMB.

Enola Gay Weapons Officer: "..My final act was to switch electrical plugs in the Little Boy bomb itself - thus arming the bomb..." He also writes about civilian targets in a nuclear war.

ALS : Autograph Letter Signed

Enola Gay Weapons Officer Morris Jeppson writes 2 page autograph letter signed about his experiences during the Hiroshima mission. He writes in his hand: "Dear Sir: I will answer your questions regarding the Hiroshima atomic bombing mission.
Q1: What was your role during the mission?
This flight was similar to several flights earlier in 1945 to test the electronic fuzing systems of big bombs being developed at Los Alamos. My job on the flight to Hiroshima was to test the electrical elements of the bomb at intervals to confirm that the fuzing - detonation system was functioning properly. My final act was to switch electrical plugs in the Little Boy bomb itself from testing mode to firing mode - thus arming the bomb.
Q:2 Were you sure the bomb would explode as expected?
The entire output of U235 from the giant wartime plant at Oak Ridge was in the Little Boy gun type bomb - But a U235 bomb had never been tested! I'm sure the Los Alamos scientists were concerned. The answer must be there was much hope and expectation -- and no guarantees.
Q3 Do you feel there is any realistic way to separate civilian and military targets in War?
No. The desperate side seems always to deliberately place civilians in the path of war. In a nuclear war, power plants, dams, and water systems night be targeted first to spare high concentrations of people from the direct effects of massive explosions ... These weapons and their fuzing system were at that time secret and the US arsenal would include these weapons. It is well that I did not go to Japan. Sincerely Morris Jeppson"
A truly historic letter revealing the exact events as they happened during the first atomic bomb mission. In excellent condition.

Item #12598

Price: $1,500.00