Latest news with #Bockscar
5 days ago
- Entertainment
80 Years On: Beyond A-Bombs, Grandchildren Unite for Nuclear-Free World
Nagasaki, Aug. 14 (Jiji Press)--A Japanese woman and an American man whose grandfathers experienced the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki from opposite sides have forged an unlikely collaboration to publish a book calling for a world free of nuclear weapons. One co-author is Kosuzu Harada, 50, a Nagasaki resident and the granddaughter of a double hibakusha, a survivor of both the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings. Her collaborator is Ari Beser, 37, the grandson of a radar operator who flew aboard the U.S. B-29 bombers--Enola Gay, which dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945, and Bockscar, which released one on Nagasaki three days later. Published in July, their book is titled "Kinokogumo no Ue to Shita no Monogatari" (Stories from Above and Below the Mushroom Clouds). It carries the English subtitle "From above and below both mushroom clouds, we became friends." The co-authors share a belief in the importance of people getting to know one another and engaging in dialogue to build "better relationships" and, ultimately, to "realize a world free of nuclear weapons," Harada said. Harada's grandfather, Tsutomu Yamaguchi, died in 2010 at the age of 93. Through his writings and lectures, he recounted his experiences as a survivor of both atomic bombings in the closing days of World War II and conveyed the horrors of nuclear weapons. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
Yahoo
11-08-2025
- General
- Yahoo
80 years after Nagasaki, Hiroshima: Ohio's connections to atomic bombs that ended WWII
The United States dropping an atomic bomb on Nagasaki, Japan, on Aug. 9, 1945, hastened the end of World War II. Japan formally surrendered less than a month later. Ohio has more than one connection to the end of the devastating war. Here's what to know. Dayton's Air Force museum houses Bockscar, plane that dropped Nagasaki atomic bomb Fat Man Three days after the Enola Gay dropped the Little Boy atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, Bockscar dropped the Fat Man bomb on Nagasaki on Aug. 9, 1945. Russian forces invaded Japanese territory the same day. The devastation of the two bombs coupled with the threat of a full-scale Allied invasion set Japan on the path to surrender. It signaled its intent to surrender on Aug. 10, and the country formally surrendered on Sept. 2, according to the National World War II Museum. Bockscar, a B-29 Superfortress, has been housed at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton since Sept. 26, 1961. World War II B-29 bomber Bockscar by the numbers Bockscar was one of 15 specially modified "Silverplate" B-29s assigned to the 509th Composite Group, according to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. While most B-29s were armored and heavily fortified, Silverplate B-29s retained only a tail machine gun turret and had their armor removed to save weight so that the heavy atomic bombs of the time could be carried over a longer distance. 357 mph top speed 220 mph cruising speed 3,700 miles range 33,600 maximum altitude 133,500 weight in pounds (maximum) 99 feet long 141 feet, 3 inches span 27 feet, 9 inches tall Who flew on Bockscar during the mission over Nagasaki, Japan? Major Charles W. Sweeney, aircraft commander 1LT Charles Donald Albury, pilot 2LT Frederick J. Olivi, co-pilot Capt. James Van Pelt, navigator Cpt. Kermit K. Beahan, bombardier Master Sgt. John D. Kuharek, flight engineer Cpl. Abe Spitzer, radio operator Staff Sgt. Edward Buckley, radar operator Sgt. Albert Dehart, tail gunner Staff Sgt. Ray Gallagher, assistant flight engineer/scanner 1LT Jacob Beser, radar countermeasures CDR Frederick Ashworth, weaponeer LT Philip M. Barnes, assistant weaponeer Additionally, The Great Artiste (observation/instrument plane), Big Stink (camera plane), Enola Gay and Laggin' Dragon (weather reconnaissance), and Full House (backup strike plane on Iwo Jima) flew alongside Bockscar on its mission, according to the Atomic Heritage Foundation. Columbus the eventual home of Enola Gay pilot Paul Tibbetts Then-Col. Paul W. Tibbets Jr. flew the Enola Gay over Hiroshima, Japan, on Aug. 6, 1945, dropping the atomic bomb known as "Little Boy" that ushered in the age of nuclear warfare. Tibbets attended the University of Cincinnati before enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1937, according to the Columbus Dispatch. Tibbets advanced to the rank of Brigadier General in the Air Force before retiring from the military in 1966. He started an air taxi company, Executive Jet Aviation, in Columbus and died in the city on Nov. 1, 2007, at the age of 92, the Dispatch writes. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio ties to Hiroshima, Nagasaki atomic bombs that ended World War II
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First Post
09-08-2025
- General
- First Post
History Today: When US dropped ‘Fat Man' on Japan's Nagasaki
August 9, 1945 marks the day when the US dropped its second atomic bomb, the 'Fat Man', on the Japanese city of Nagasaki, killing up to 75,000 people and bringing an end to World War II. On this day, the construction of Italy's iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa also began in 1173 read more At 11:02 am, the B-29 bomber Bockscar, piloted by Major Charles Sweeney, released the plutonium-based bomb over Nagasaki. August 9 is one of the most sombre days in history. It marks the moment in 1945 when the world witnessed the horror of a second atomic bomb, this time over Japan's Nagasaki, just three days after the US bombed Hiroshima, leaving it reduced to ashes. If you are a history geek who loves to learn about important events from the past, Firstpost Explainers' ongoing series, History Today, will be your one-stop destination to explore key events. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On the same date in 1173, construction began on a bell tower in Pisa, Italy, an ambitious project that would become world-famous for its unexpected tilt. Here is all that happened on this day. US drops 'Fat Man' on Japan's Nagasaki On August 9, 1945, just three days after Hiroshima was bombed, the United States dropped a second atomic bomb, nicknamed 'Fat Man', on the city of Nagasaki. At 11:02 am, the B-29 bomber Bockscar, piloted by Major Charles Sweeney, released the plutonium-based bomb over Nagasaki. However, the city, home to around 263,000 people, was not the original target. The mission was supposed to hit Kokura, but poor visibility and low fuel forced the crew to divert. The United States dropped a second atomic bomb, nicknamed 'Fat Man', on the city of Nagasaki. Image courtesy: National Mueseum of US Navy 'Fat Man' exploded with a force of 21 kilotons of TNT, destroying large parts of the city instantly. It's estimated that between 40,000 and 75,000 people were killed, either immediately or in the days and weeks that followed, due to burns, radiation exposure, and injuries. Among the dead were Japanese civilians, Korean forced labourers, and even Allied prisoners of war. The blast also destroyed Nagasaki's historic Urakami Cathedral, once the largest Catholic church in Asia, along with many homes, schools, and neighbourhoods. Nagaski's Torii Gate in 1948. Three years after nuclear weapons were deployed, charred tree trunks, stripped of their branches, stood near a sacred Torii Gate that survived the blast. Image courtesy: US National Archives Although the scale of destruction was slightly lower than Hiroshima's, mainly due to Nagasaki's hilly terrain and more spread-out urban design, the damage was still immense. According to the Atomic Archive, about 14,000 buildings, or 27 per cent of the city's 52,000 residences, were completely reduced to ashes. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The bombing came just hours after the Soviet Union declared war on Japan. Within six days, Japan announced its unconditional surrender on August 15, 1945, effectively ending World War II. People offer silent prayers for the victims of the 1945 atomic bombing in Nagasaki, Japan, Aug. 9, 2023. File photo/ Reuters Today, Nagasaki has a population of around 400,000, a city that has since been rebuilt while continuing to remember the events of that day. Construction of the Leaning Tower of Pisa begins On August 9, 1173, construction began on what was meant to be a freestanding bell tower for the cathedral of Pisa in Italy. No one at the time could have predicted that it would eventually become world-famous for its accidental tilt. The tower was designed to be 56 metres tall with eight storeys, including the chamber for the bells. However, by the time the third floor was completed , builders noticed that the tower had started leaning to one side. The cause? The soft, unstable soil beneath Pisa, a mix of clay, sand, and shells, couldn't support the tower's weight. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Leaning Tower of Pisa. File image/AFP Construction paused multiple times over the next century, partly due to its leaning and the surrounding conflicts. Work resumed in 1272, but further disruptions occurred due to war in 1284. Over time, engineers tried to correct the tilt by adjusting the structure's upper floors. But the lean remained, gradually becoming part of its identity. By the 20th century, the tilt had reached dangerous levels. The tower was closed to the public in 1990 for safety reasons. The tower's lean had reached 5.5 degrees, posing a significant risk of collapse. After a decade of careful engineering work to stabilise it, mostly by removing small amounts of soil from underneath, it was reopened in 2001. Today, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of Italy's most iconic landmarks, attracting millions of tourists every year. With inputs from agencies
Chicago Tribune
08-08-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Pullman native Fred Olivi piloted ‘the aircraft that ended World War II' 80 years ago, and left a lasting legacy at home too
It was the dawn of the atomic age and Pullman residents were reeling. One of their neighbors had just made history. Some were telling his mother he would likely get to meet the president. On Aug. 9, 1945, co-pilot Fred Olivi and 12 other crew members of the Bockscar B-29 Superfortress detonated the 'Fat Man' plutonium bomb over Nagasaki. The bombing killed around 80,000 Japanese people. More died later. This was three days after the Enola Gay dropped a uranium bomb on Hiroshima, killing 150,000. On Aug. 14, Olivi and other Bockscar crew members were dispatched on another bombing mission. Using a different plane, they dropped Torpex-loaded 'pumpkin' bombs on Koromo. On August 15, 1945, Japan surrendered to the United States, and World War II ended. Olivi never got to meet the president, but the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio, credits the 100-foot-long Bockscar as, 'The aircraft that ended World War II.' The museum also maintains a display devoted to Olivi, which features his goggles, distinguished flying cross, pistol and gloves. During the war protests of the 1960s, Olivi received threatening phone calls and letters. Throughout his life, he was often pressed to explain his actions. 'He (Olivi) was unapologetic. He'd been briefed as to what would happen if the U.S. launched a land assault on Tokyo,' said Paul Petraitis, a historian and long-time Pullman resident. The U.S. military anticipated 1 million casualties, far more than the atomic bombings. Like most WWII veterans, Olivi is long gone. He died in 2004. The quartermaster of Calumet City VFW Post 8141, where Olivi had been a member, did not respond to interview requests regarding Olivi or the anniversary of the bombing, but Nadine Dennis, quartermaster of the Major Charles L. Hunt VFW Post 2024 in Pullman, did. 'Some people don't understand,' she said. 'It was the U.S. government. He (Olivi) was just an actor following orders. He was serving his country. And from what I've read in history, the Japanese would have kept going. Many more people would have died.' Whether on the wrong or right side of history, as a 23-year-old second lieutenant and the youngest member of the crew, Olivi appreciated the historical significance of the Bockscar mission. He kept a journal. And he spent until the wee hours of the morning after the bombing, gleaning information from the flight log. Years later, with the help of his wife, Carole McVey, an executive assistant who grew up in Roseland, Olivi published a personal account of the mission. The couple met at Pullman Technical High School — now Gwendolyn Brooks Preparatory Academy — and attended senior prom together. Olivi sold and gave away almost all 5,500 copies of 'Decision a Nagasaki: The Mission That Almost Failed.' He also made numerous presentations to local schools and community groups. The book conveys tense moments leading up to release of the Fat Man bomb. The Bockscar crew were forced to fly the Bockscar above a perilous thunderstorm. Their orders included having to rendezvous with a plane carrying a photographer. To gain visibility, they had to change the original target location from Kokura to Nagasaki. Bombardier Kermit Beahan released the bomb over Nagasaki at 11:58 a.m., not far from a Mitsubishi plant. In a strange twist, Aug. 9 was Beahan's birthday. Olivi was one a few people to ever witness the formation of an atomic cloud from the air. To protect his vision, he wore welders' goggles. 'This plume of smoke I'm seeing is hard to explain,' Olivi wrote later. 'A great white mass of flame is seething within the white mushroom shaped cloud. It has a pinkish, salmon color. The base is black and is breaking a little way down from the mushroom.' Delays caused the Bockscar to run short on gas. With engines conking out, the crew made an emergency landing in Okinawa instead of Tinian Island, their original return destination. After the war, Olivi signed on for more time with the U.S. Army Air Corps. When asked to give up flying to take on intelligence duties, he requested a discharge from active duty and signed on with the Air Corps Reserve. Still in his 20s, he returned to Pullman to live with his mother. Not wanting to resume work in 'the Pullman shops,' he applied for work as a commercial pilot out of Midway. With 1,500 hours of flying time, he was competing against veterans with more than 5,000 hours. The call-back he was hoping for never came. He went into business with a friend but soon realized selling candy didn't suit him. At Pullman Tech, Olivi had learned to read blueprints and gained valuable math skills. He was hired as a draftsman for the bridge division of Chicago's department of public works. Studying on his own, he took the Civil Service exam and qualified as a Civil Engineer II. He went on to obtain level IV certification and manage the city's bridge operations. Olivi had no children. He and his wife settled in Beverly Woods, but they maintained close ties with Pullman. They supported the Historic Pullman Foundation, both as volunteers and by attending fundraiser dinners, said Cindy McMahon, foundation treasurer and former president. 'They were sweet people,' she said. Like many called to do extraordinary things, he was the son of immigrants and came from humble beginnings. Olivi's mother operated a basement-level restaurant out of their home on the 11100 block of South Langley. Its double doors opened to a below-street-level courtyard. 'It was Pullman's little Italian restaurant,' Petraitis said. 'It was lovely.' Olivi's brother, Emil J. Olivi, a local dentist, commissioned an artist to paint images of Pullman, including their mother seated at her home-operated restaurant. 'E.J. also served in World War II, in Burma as a member of the Navy's dental corps,' said Linda Fuetz, who worked as a receptionist for Emil Olivi's dental office. 'The brothers were good people and believed in serving their country.' The painting of the Olivis' childhood home and others by Howard Casey occupy a wall at the Pullman Welcoming House, 605 E. State Street, where volunteers for the Bielenberg Historic Pullman House Foundation give talks and tours about the Pullman neighborhood's beginnings as a planned industrial town.
The Mainichi
07-08-2025
- General
- The Mainichi
Tinian, launching point for US A-bombs on Japan, marks 80th anniv.
TINIAN (Kyodo) -- The Pacific island of Tinian, which served as the launching point for the U.S. bombers that dropped the atom bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki 80 years ago, held a ceremony Wednesday to mark the strikes on Japan and the end of World War II. During the event on the island, part of the U.S. territory of the Northern Mariana Islands, Sen. Jude Hofschneider called for a moment of silence and asked the hundreds of participants, including local officials, U.S. military representatives and Japanese nationals, to "listen to the sound of peace" that has continued in the island after the war till today. "Though these an end to World War II and victory to the Allied powers, the anniversary of their use points to one simple truth," Hofschneider said. "In war, no one wins. War leaves a permanent scar on everyone." The ceremony, the first of its kind in decades, was held at the WWII-era airfield from which the B-29 Superfortress bombers, the Enola Gay and Bockscar, took off. The Enola Gay dropped the "Little Boy" bomb on Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945, and the Bockscar dropped a "Fat Man" bomb on Nagasaki three days later, killing an estimated 140,000 and 74,000 people, respectively, by the end of 1945. Tinian Mayor Edwin Aldan said that aside from remembering "the lives lost, the choices we made, the consequences we endured," the event was an opportunity to "find the resolve to reject violence, to choose dialogue over destruction, and to work for a world where peace is more than a dream." In Tinian, which was occupied by Japan before and during the war, fierce battles took place between Japanese and U.S. forces in 1944, claiming the lives of thousands on both sides. After the U.S. forces won and seized the island, the Allies used it as a base to launch air raids on Japan. The event held by the island carried the theme, "80 Years of Peace in the Pacific: From the Ashes of War to Hope," with the participants offering wreaths and a water salute. At the North Airfield, replicas of the two atomic bombs were displayed. Akiko Tejima, Japanese Consul in Saipan, the largest island in the Northern Marianas, noted in her speech that holding the commemoration event on the same day as Hiroshima's annual ceremony is inspiring "as it indicates the spirit of compassion and our shared aspiration for a future rooted in harmony and unity." (By Ronron Calunsod)
