How Pilots and Crew of the Enola Gay Felt After Dropping Atomic Bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
During the Second World War, the United States officially dropped two atomic bombs, named 'Little Boy' and 'Fat Man,' on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan. This act marked a significant turning point in the war but also left an indelible mark on the minds of the pilots and crew who carried out this mission. Two pilots, George Robert "Bob" Douglass Tibbets and Paul W. Tibbets Jr., as well as various members of the Enola Gay crew, left behind personal accounts of their experiences and emotions.
Colonel Tibbets' Perspective
Colonel Paul W. Tibbets, known for piloting the Enola Gay, expressed a mixture of satisfaction and a sense of duty fulfilled. In his reflections, he mentioned:
"We were assigned a task to accomplish and we did remarkably well in doing it. Went on to a distinguished military career as did his crew!"
Colonel Tibbets further stated that he never lost a minute of sleep over the decision and task he had carried out. He pointed out that while his mission was to drop the bomb, his crew’s actions ultimately resulted in fewer deaths compared to sustained bombing of other cities. Tibbets believed that their actions brought an end to the killing period earlier.
The Impact on the Crew
Major Robert A. Lewis, the co-pilot of the Enola Gay, recorded his thoughts in his logbook during the journey back to Tinian. His reflections are particularly poignant and reflective of the emotional burden the mission carried:
"We then turned the ship so we could observe results and there was without doubt the greatest explosion man has ever witnessed. I am certain the entire crew felt this experience was more than anyone human had ever thought possible. It just seems impossible to comprehend. Just how many did we kill? I honestly have the feeling of groping for words to explain this or I might say, My God, what have we done. If I live a hundred years, I’ll never quite get those minutes out of my mind."
Major Lewis’ description highlights the disbelief and shock felt by the crew when they witnessed the aftermath of the nuclear bombings. The raw power of the atomic bomb's explosion was contrary to the expectations set during their briefing. Lewis referred to it as the greatest explosion ever witnessed by a human being, emphasizing the stark reality of the situation.
Books Written by Crew Members
Both Paul W. Tibbets Jr., the pilot, and Paul W. "Jimmy" Olivi, a member of the Enola Gay's crew, wrote books chronicling their experiences. These books provide valuable insights into the thoughts and feelings of the men involved. They are available on Amazon and can be accessed through your local library or via inter-library loan systems. Olivi’s book is a particular source of interest due to the familiarity of the author with the narrator.
The Moral Implications
Despite the satisfaction of completing their mission, the crew members were acutely aware of the moral implications of using atomic bombs. They recognized the heavy toll it took on both Allied and Japanese lives. Tibbets and the crew understood that had they carried out an invasion of Japan, the cost would have been immense, with one million casualties for the Allies and five to twenty million for the Japanese. The approximately 200,000 deaths attributed to the bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki were, in their view, a relatively small price to end the war before countless millions died.
Reflecting on their actions, the crew members acknowledged that they had played a part in ending the war but also faced the severe emotional consequences. The words of Major Lewis continue to echo the internal struggle many faced during and after such a traumatic event.
The actions of the pilots and crew of the Enola Gay remain a subject of historical and ethical debate. While the mission undoubtedly saved countless lives, the personal and collective toll of carrying out such a historic and devastating act is difficult to overstate.