Did the pilots know about the atomic bomb?

Air Force captain Theodore “Dutch” Van Kirk did not know the destructive force of the nuclear bomb before Hiroshima. Paul Tibbets told him this mission would shorten or end the war, but Van Kirk had heard that line before. Hiroshima made him a believer.

Did Paul Tibbets express regret about dropping the bomb?

Pilot of Enola Gay Had No Regrets for Hiroshima Paul Tibbets, who piloted the plane that dropped the first atomic bomb, has died at age 92. On Aug. 6, 1945, Tibbets’ B-29 dropped the nearly five-ton bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. Tibbets always insisted that he did not have regrets.

Is Paul Tibbets still alive?

Deceased (1915–2007)
Paul Tibbets/Living or Deceased

Why did Paul Tibbets get divorced?

August 6, 1945 came as a great relief because at last Tibbets could unburden himself from his great responsibility–not only had he accomplished his mission but he’d kept it secret.

Who were the crew members of the Enola Gay?

The crew was: Colonel Paul W. Tibbets Jr. – pilot and aircraft commander Captain Robert A. Lewis – co-pilot; Enola Gay’s regularly assigned aircraft commander* Major Thomas Ferebee – bombardier Captain Theodore “Dutch” Van Kirk – navigator Captain William S. Parsons, USN – weaponeer and mission commander.

How high did the Enola Gay fly when it dropped the bomb?

The release at 08:15 (Hiroshima time) went as planned, and the Little Boy took 43 seconds to fall from the aircraft flying at 31,060 feet (9,470 m) to the predetermined detonation height about 1,968 feet (600 m) above the city. Enola Gay traveled 11.5 mi (18.5 km) before it felt the shock waves from the blast.

How old was Richard Nelson on the Enola Gay?

Richard Nelson was the youngest of the Enola Gay crew. He was 20 years old in August of 1945. He relayed the news of the atomic bomb to his superiors in code, who forwarded it to President Truman: “Results excellent.” After the war, Nelson got a degree in business administration and made a career as a salesman.

What was Enola Gay’s role in the second atomic attack?

Enola Gay participated in the second atomic attack as the weather reconnaissance aircraft for the primary target of Kokura. Clouds and drifting smoke resulted in a secondary target, Nagasaki, being bombed instead.