This unit's mission was so secret that, with few exceptions, the nature of its weapons was concealed even from its members. Army Air Forces had modified its most advanced bomber, the B-29, and had created a new, special military unit for delivering atomic bombs. The beginning of the 'Enola Gay's' mission was the culmination of over a year's work. Soon thereafter, at 2:45 a.m., the aircraft took off. Groves is determined that this is one moment in history that was not going to go unrecorded. Movie cameramen, photographers and reporters surround the crew. Paul Tibbets, to expect 'a little publicity,' but Tibbets and his crew are stunned by the scene on the tarmac. Leslie Groves, had warned the 'Enola Gay's' commander, Col.
Bathed in floodlights, the B-29 'Enola Gay' awaits take-off on an historic mission: dropping the first atomic bomb on Japan. Source: The entire first draft of the script can be found in Judgement at the Smithsonian (New York: Marlowe & Company, 1995)Īugust 6, 1945, 2:00 a.m., Tinian Island, the Central Pacific. UNIT 4: 'ENOLA GAY': THE B-29 AND THE ATOMIC MISSIONS Enola Gay Exhibit, First Draft-Final Draft
