DECLASSIFIED PHOTOS - "B-29 "Enola Gay" loading the A-Bomb.

[John Schmidt]

I was just a young lad when all this happened, but I sure remember first the shock and then the celebrations that followed when Japan surrendered. Often wondered....whatever happened to VJ Day and VE Day?  I find it amazing what our country was able to accomplish during the dark days of WWII. I know today we have some dedicated service men, but I can't help but wonder if the country as a whole would turn out to lend a hand as they did back then if anything like this ever happened again.
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Forest Arden was the chief flight mechanic of  a B-29 stationed at Tinian Island. His aircraft was parked nearby to the Enola Gay and he watched the loading procedure of the first Atomic Bomb. He said that security was strictly enforced and no one was allowed to approach to within 100 yards! Few had any inkling of what about to occur. Everyone was astounded at the sudden end of World War  II.
 
This is an unbelievable set of photos - the REAL thing - pix from Tinian Island as the B-29 "Enola Gay" was being  loaded.
Notice the "Top Secret" stamp on some of the  photos. In the last few pix notice the CRUDE sheet  metal work on the casing and fins of "Little Boy"  - the bomb that was dropped on  Hiroshima.

http://www.alternatewars.com/Bomb_Loading/Bomb_Guide.htm

[old2soon]

cursed fine gallery of photos John. Thank you. A U S Navy officer gets scrambled eggs on his visor at the rank of Commander-Silver Oak Leaf. Less than Commander-plain visor. The very reason the bombs were dropped because we feared the fanatical defense of the Japanese homeland by their citizens. After we dropped the second I believe THAT was it-there were no more to be had in a hurry. HAD to be a one two punch-there was no third punch. At least not a quick if needed third punch. Again John-Thanks for the history photos.  RIDE SAFE.

[Rams]

Thanks for posting that link.   

I agree with you on the changes that have taken place in this country.   
I suppose it will take an actual invasion to get some folks to wake up.

[CajunRider]

I wonder how many of those fellas knew what was about to happen????

Both impressive and saddening at the same time. 

Killed many while at the same time saved the lives of many and shortened a war. 

Freedom isn't free, nor is it easy to keep.

[John Schmidt]

After we dropped the second I believe THAT was it-there were no more to be had in a hurry.

If memory serves correctly, I believe there was a third either ready or in the making....just in case. Keep in mind, we were only one step ahead of the Germans at the time re. building a working bomb. According to my dad who still had family in the "homeland"....they were going to launch it via a rocket. The European theatre came to an end in time to thwart their development.

[saddlesore]

In those days the United States was an industrial giant that had many plants  that could be converted to make what was needed for the war.  The places were already staffed with skilled trades people to run them.
Not much industry any more but the youth of today are highly skilled in "The World of Warcraft" or any number of related games.  They practice hours upon hours.  They will save this country just by playing on their phones.
Thanks for posting.

[blastedbugler]

Very interesting photos.

I am old enough to remember WW11
Lived in Brisbane Australia & had to go into a air raid shelter when the Japanese planes came close.
At my school we had slit trenches that we had to get in when the sirens went off.

I would be interested in any more links re the development & launching of these early bombs.

[RP#62]

My dad, like many of that generation still won't talk about the war.  Every now and then he lets slip a few bits and pieces.  We knew he was in the Philippines in '44, but my sister told me the other day he indicated he was on Tinian when Enola Gay was being loaded.  She couldn't get out of him much more than that though.

-RP

[grandpaweaver]

I remember reading that the dropping of those two saved over a million American service men's lives if we would have needed to invade Japan.

[dreamaker]

Very interesting photos, shed a different light on my perception of that situation. Cleared up allot questions for me.  Pretty Cool!!!!