Atomic bomb: Hiroshima!

The atomic bombing of Hiroshima in Japan was conducted by the United States during the final stages of World War II in 1945.

Following a firebombing campaign that destroyed many Japanese cities, the Allies prepared for a costly invasion of Japan. The war in Europe ended when Nazi Germany signed its instrument of surrender on 8 May, but the Pacific War continued. Together with the United Kingdom and the Republic of China, the United States called for a surrender of Japan in the Potsdam Declaration on 26 July 1945, threatening Japan with "prompt and utter destruction". The Japanese government ignored this ultimatum, and the United States deployed two nuclear weapons developed by the Manhattan Project. American airmen dropped Little Boy on the city of Hiroshima on 6 August 1945.

At the time of its bombing, Hiroshima was a city of both industrial and military significance. His command consisted of some 400,000 men, most of whom were on Kyushu where an Allied invasion was correctly expected.

The center of the city contained several resistant buildings and lighter structures. Outside the center, the area was congested by a collection of small wooden workshops set among Japanese houses. A few larger industrial plants lay near the outskirts of the city. The houses were constructed of wood with tile roofs, and many of the industrial buildings were also built around wood frames.

The population of Hiroshima had reached over 381,000 earlier in the war, but prior to the atomic bombing the population had steadily decreased because of a systematic evacuation ordered by the Japanese government. At the time of the attack, the population was approximately 340,000.

About an hour before the bombing, Japanese early warning radar detected the approach of some American aircraft headed for the southern part of Japan. An alert was given and radio broadcasting stopped in many cities, among them Hiroshima. At nearly 08:00, the radar operator in Hiroshima determined that the number of planes coming in was very small and the air raid alert was lifted.

The release at 08:15 went as intended, and the gravity bomb known as "Little Boy", with about 64 kilograms of uranium-235, took 43 seconds to fall from the aircraft flying at 31,060 feet to the predetermined detonation height about 1,968 feet above the city. Japanese officials determined that 69% of Hiroshima's buildings were destroyed and another 7% damaged.

Some 70.000 (30% of the population) people of Hiroshima were killed by the blast and resultant firestorm, and another 70,000 were injured. Over 90% of the doctors and 93% of the nurses in Hiroshima were killed or injured. It was an atomic bomb set up by United States, which caused a serious damage and destruction in Japan. 

Made by: Daniela Sanguineti