Bombing of Hiroshima - August 6, 1945 - 8:15 a.m.
Mushroom Cloud over Hiroshima
Hiroshima was the site of the first atomic bomb. At 8:15 am, the bomb exploded. An enormous cloud of smoke and dust shot up into the sky in a large mushroom shape. Most estimates have 70,000 people perishing instantly. Total estimated deaths are 200,000.
Destruction Zone
Map of the bomb explosion radius
Hiroshima was chosen for its military importance. The bomb was dropped on the second most populated part of the city.
The picture is of the damage zones. The orange section, with a population of 130,000, was hit the hardest.
Below is a picture of the devastation after the atomic bomb was dropped. Ninety percent of the city was destroyed.
The picture is of the damage zones. The orange section, with a population of 130,000, was hit the hardest.
Below is a picture of the devastation after the atomic bomb was dropped. Ninety percent of the city was destroyed.
The First Atomic Bomb -- Little Boy
Little Boy
The Little Boy was a uranium bomb that was as powerful as 15,000 tons of TNT.
Below is a graphic picture of the effects of the atomic bomb on a human victim.
Below is a graphic picture of the effects of the atomic bomb on a human victim.
Eye Witness Accounts
Hiroshima Dome
Dr. Terufumi Sasaki, a Red Cross surgeon, was in his office during the blast. He was studying a blood sample when a bright flash filled the room. He reported that ceilings had fallen on patients, windows shattered, and blood splattered the walls.
Miss Sasaki, who was not related to Dr. Sasaki, was working when the bomb was dropped. A blinding flash filled the room. Then the ceiling collapsed, bookcases fell and the wooden floor shattered as she was buried under the contents.
Father Kleinsorge was reading on his cot when the terrible flash filled his room. Next, he remembered waking up in the church's vegetable garden bleeding slightly. All the buildings around him were flattened and on fire.
Miss Sasaki, who was not related to Dr. Sasaki, was working when the bomb was dropped. A blinding flash filled the room. Then the ceiling collapsed, bookcases fell and the wooden floor shattered as she was buried under the contents.
Father Kleinsorge was reading on his cot when the terrible flash filled his room. Next, he remembered waking up in the church's vegetable garden bleeding slightly. All the buildings around him were flattened and on fire.