Description:

Enola Gay - Thrice signed copy of Hiroshima bombing directive

Photocopy of original military directive on decorative grey toned paper stock signed by three Enola Gay crewmembers in blue pen at top near War Department Office of the Chief of Staff letterhead: Paul W. Tibbets as "Paul W. Tibbets - Pilot - Enola Gay - 6 Aug. 45";Tom Ferebee as "Tom Ferebee Bombadier - 8/6/45"; and Dutch Van Kent as "Dutch Van Kent Navigator Hiroshima". In very fine condition, with expected wear including minor wrinkling to top margin, measuring 8.5" x 11".

This souvenir directive pertained to 20th Air Force bombing targets at Hiroshima, Kokura, Niigat and Nagasaki. It was originally issued from the War Department Chief of Staff with explicit orders to deliver one copy to General MacArthur and one copy to Admiral Nimitz, with all other "dissemination of any and all information concerning the use of the weapon against Japan is reserved to the Secretary of War and the President of the United States".

This first directive was issued July 25, about two weeks before the bomb was launched:

"The original mission was to include a separate aircraft carrying military and civilian scientific personal from the War Department to observe and record the effects of the explosion of the bomb. The observing planes will stay several miles distant from the point of impact of the bomb ... The 509 Composite Group, 20th Air Force will deliver its first special bomb as soon as weather will permit visual bombing after about 3 August 1945 on one of the targets: Hiroshima, Kokura, Niigata, and Nagasaki". The document was stamped along the upper left corner on 18 June 1948 that there was "No objection to declassification ...."

An amazing piece of World War II history, signed by three important Enola Gay crewmembers.

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June 14, 2017 10:30 AM EDT
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