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Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima and World War II Testimony: Morris R. Jeppson Autograph Letter on the Enola Gay Mission
1945réf. 143931945. Jeppson Morris R. Autograph letter recounting his role in the Hiroshima atomic bombing mission written by the weapons test officer aboard the B 29 Enola Gay the aircraft that delivered the first atomic weapon used in warfare on 6 August 1945. Morris Jeppson served as the electronic officer responsible for the bomb's fuzing system and for arming the uranium bomb known as "Little Boy" shortly before it was released over Hiroshima. His recollections provide firsthand testimony concerning the selection of the mission crew the operational procedures followed aboard the aircraft and the technical responsibilities associated with the deployment of the atomic weapon during the closing days of World War II. Jeppson Morris R. Autograph Letter Signed. Three pages written on yellow lined paper composed as responses to a series of questions concerning the Hiroshima mission. The manuscript appears to be a draft with numerous corrections and annotations with both the questions and answers written in Jeppson's hand. Addressing how he was selected to fly on the mission Jeppson recounts: "The day before the mission there were 6 of us who had participated in the development and testing of the electronic fuzing system for atomic weapons. George called our group of 6 together and said it was decided that whether Jeppson or Lt. Leon Smith would fly the first mission scheduled for 6 August. He said a coin toss will decide. He tossed I got the assignment." When asked about his role aboard the aircraft Jeppson describes assisting Captain William Parsons in preparing the weapon after takeoff and monitoring the bomb's electronic fuzing system during the flight. He explains that shortly before the bombing run he entered the bomb bay and "replaced an electrical component plug in the bomb with a red coded plug that armed the bomb so that it would self detonate when it reached an elevation above ground of about 1800 feet." The letter concludes with reflections on the mission's perceived outcome noting that the detonation confirmed the operational success of the weapon's design. The Hiroshima bombing represented the first combat use of nuclear weapons and marked a decisive technological and political turning point at the end of World War II. Personnel involved in the Manhattan Project and the 509th Composite Group later became central witnesses to the development and deployment of atomic weapons. Jeppson's manuscript responses offer detailed technical and personal recollections concerning the operational procedures aboard the Enola Gay including the late decision to arm the weapon in flight and the responsibilities assigned to the crew members who developed the bomb's electronic fuzing system. The document provides insight into the internal mechanics of the Hiroshima mission as remembered by the officer who physically armed the weapon shortly before its release. Signed "Morris R. Jeppson" in a different pen. Light handling wear; overall excellent condition. A detailed firsthand account of the technical preparation and execution of the first atomic bombing mission. unknown
Max Rambod Inc. · États-Unis850,00 $US≈ 757,91 €
