These previously unseen photos reveal the preparations leading up to the nuclear attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. On August 6th and 9th of 1945, the atomic bombs were dropped on the two cities.
Here are the chilling pictures of the final preparations:
Soldiers checking the casings of the “Fat Man” atomic bomb
National Archives
Geophysicist Francis Birch (left) marks “Little Boy” L-11 while Norman Ramsey, who would later win the Nobel Prize in Physics, watches. This is the actual bomb dropped on Nagasaki.
National Archives
Final bomb assembly
National Archives
Fat Man nearly assembled and about to be placed inside its casing.
National Archives
A technician applies putty to the forward polar plate of “Fat Man.”
National Archives
Sealant is now being applied using a spray gun.
National Archives
National Archives
A frame taken from a colored movie, showing the color of the device and sealant/putty.
National Archives
Soldiers and workers sign their names and other messages on the “Fat Man.”
National Archives
A closer look.
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“A Second Kiss for Hirohito!” signed by Rear Admiral W.R. Purnell, USN on the side of the “Fat Man”.
National Archives
Fully-assembled “Fat Man” is loaded onto a transport trailer.
National Archives
The bomb is now transported to the airfield, under cover with an escort.
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One of two bomb pits on the airfield.
National Archives
The pits for the bombs, measuring roughly 8 feet by 12 feet, still exist today.
(L) National Archives/ (R) Jeffrey Tripp/FLICKR
Soldiers proceed for the preliminary pit alignment.
National Archives
National Archives
The bomb’s alignment was checked over carefully by eye and hand.
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They made sure everything’s in place while the MPs kept watch.
National Archives
National Archives
Using a hydraulic lift, they carefully lowered the bomb and its trailer into the pit.
National Archives
National Archives
Workers check “Little Boy” one last time. Still covered with tarp for security reasons.
National Archives
Once the bomb is ready, the aircraft Enola Gay, a Boeing B-29 Superfortress bomber, is backed up slowly over the pit.
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The cover is removed and the bomb is readied for loading.
National Archives
National Archives
“Little Boy” is carefully raised using a hydraulic lift and loaded into the belly of the Enola Gay.
National Archives
National Archives
National Archives
Once the bomb is secured inside the plane. All connections and equipment are checked again.
National Archives
From there, “Little Boy” and “Fat Man” were flown over Hiroshima and Nagasaki, respectively, and detonated. World War II ended shortly afterwards.
National Archives / Charles Levy / AP