Summary
Highlights
On August 6, 1945, the atomic bomb 'Little Boy' was loaded onto the B-29 bomber Enola Gay on the island of Tinian. Colonel Paul Tibbets was unaware of their destination, but one possible target was Hiroshima, Japan. This groundbreaking and secretive weapon was intended to end World War II.
On Monday, August 6, 1945, at 8:15 AM, 'Little Boy' exploded 2,000 feet above Hiroshima. The sky ignited with gamma-ray flashes, instantly killing all living beings within the hypocenter due to radiation and extreme heat (6,000 degrees Celsius). The blast generated a shockwave of nearly 1,000 miles per hour, destroying 60,000 buildings and forming a mushroom cloud seven and a half miles high. Yoshito Matsushige, a photographer, began to document the aftermath within three hours of the blast.
Amidst the devastation, Sunao Tsuboi and Mitsuko Kouchi miraculously survived, shielded from the immediate blast. Seventy thousand people died instantly, and 90% of the city was flattened by fire and smoke. Yoshito Matsushige, a newspaper photographer, was less than two miles from ground zero and, despite the initial horror that prevented him from taking pictures, captured two iconic images on Miyuki Bridge, depicting the immediate aftermath and the suffering of the victims. These photos, initially forbidden by wartime censorship, were painstakingly restored in the 1970s.
Research efforts have identified some of the individuals in Matsushige's photos, including Mitsuko Kouchi and Sunao Tsuboi, who were both critically injured on Miyuki Bridge. The Miyuki Bridge became a crucial point for survivors, serving as a boundary between the raging fires and a desperate hope for safety. Many arrived parched and burnt, with some drowning in the Ota River trying to cool their wounds.
Survivors like Mr. Tsuboi detailed the desperate attempts to treat burns with rapeseed oil and later thick sump oil, making the victims appear monstrous. Civilian defense workers and military cadets like Goro Takeuchi were ordered to prioritize military personnel for evacuation, leaving women, children, and the elderly to suffer and sometimes die on the bridge. This prioritization reflects the wartime mentality of valuing those who could fight.
Many of the victims on Miyuki Bridge were children and teenagers, mobilized for wartime duties like demolishing buildings to create firebreaks. Professor Keiko Otani's research indicates that 22% of Hiroshima bomb victims were adolescents, predominantly 13 to 14 years old. Many, like 13-year-old Chiyoko Kuwabara, found themselves on the bridge, waiting for help that often didn't come. Instances like Akira, mistakably identified in a photograph by his family, highlight the countless children who disappeared without a trace amid the chaos.
Dr. Harada, a surgeon, explained the unique and severe nature of A-bomb burns, where skin absorbed radiation, causing deep burns, rapid blistering, and exposed flesh. The pain was unimaginably intense, with victims displaying skin peeling off in strips. These burns were far beyond conventional injuries. Scientist Professor Hasai noted that American army data minimized the severity of burn victims, likely to prevent public outrage and promote the peaceful applications of nuclear power, keeping studies on the bomb's effects confidential.
Days after the blast, a 'Hiroshima plague' of vomiting, bleeding, hair loss, and flesh decomposition began, revealing the effects of radioactivity. Survivors, known as 'hibakusha,' faced not only physical ailments like cancer and leukemia but also societal ostracization due to fears of their radioactivity and genetic mutations. Many, including the family members of those in Matsushige's photos, kept their experiences and identities secret to protect their children and grandchildren from stigma.
Despite the desire for some to forget, Hiroshima honors its past. Every August 6th at 8:15 AM, a bell rings, and the city commemorates the victims, drawing people worldwide to advocate for peace. Survivors like Mr. Tsuboi have embraced their mission to ensure the events of August 6, 1945, are never forgotten, sharing their stories and documentation to educate future generations about the true value of peace. Yoshito Matsushige’s photographs have become a lasting testament to the 210,000 victims of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.