Your Army Air Forces 45-07-12 021 More News About The Atomic Bomb

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: Your Army Air Forces 45-07-12 021 More News About The Atomic Bomb
Release Date: April 25, 2025

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Introduction

In this compelling episode of Harold's Old Time Radio, titled "Your Army Air Forces 45-07-12 021 More News About The Atomic Bomb," host Harold's Old Time Radio transports listeners back to the Golden Age of Radio, focusing on pivotal moments from World War II. The episode delves into the development and deployment of the atomic bomb, provides firsthand accounts from key military personnel involved in its deployment, explores life on air bases in the Marianas, showcases innovative solutions by airmen, and pays a heartfelt tribute to Major Richard Ira Bong, the Army Air Force's top ace.

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The Atomic Bomb: Development and Impact

The episode opens with a detailed discussion about the atomic bomb's development and its profound impact on World War II.

Brigadier General Thomas F. Farrell provides an authoritative overview:

• Development Timeline: "[...] The atomic fission bomb has been under development for over three years. In those three years it was successfully completed, an effort which might have taken 30 years in peacetime." ([02:05])
• Destructive Power: "It has the equivalent effect of over 20,000 tons of TNT." ([02:15])
• Comparison to Conventional Bombs: "It is entirely impracticable to compare this bomb with an ordinary demolition bomb. It would be like comparing elephants with fleas." ([02:25])
• Technological Superiority: "It really uses atomic energy, which is the energy released when the atom is split." ([02:35])

Key Insights:

• The atomic bomb's rapid development was a testament to the urgent wartime efforts.
• Its unparalleled destructive capacity marked a significant shift in warfare technology.
• Japan lacked comparable weaponry, influencing the strategic decisions that led to the bomb's deployment.

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Firsthand Accounts from the Hiroshima Mission

The episode features interviews with crew members from the B-29 Superfortress that dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, providing an intimate look into the mission's execution and aftermath.

Colonel Paul W. Tibbets reflects on crew selection and mission gravity:

• "I knew it was the most important mission that I'd ever been on, but I was sure each crew member would carry on his job." ([04:00])

Captain Theodore J. Van Kirk describes the immediate effects of the detonation:

• "I saw a very large white mushroom shaped cloud which reached to our altitude." ([06:30])
• "Hanging low over the target was a thick cloud of boiling black dust which covered the entire city with the exception of the dock area." ([06:35])

Major Thomas W. Farabee discusses the post-mission reception:

• "Everybody was most happy and most relieved that the first bomb of its type had been released." ([07:03])

Notable Quotes:

• Colonel Tibbets: "We figured to get the airplane out into a safe range and we maneuvered to make the shock as small as we possibly could." ([05:10])
• Captain Van Kirk: "We fell through to St. Jones a short time after dropping the bomb, but it fell like close first to flak." ([06:00])

Key Insights:

• The mission was meticulously planned to minimize the aircraft's exposure to the bomb's shockwave.
• The visual and physical impact of the bomb was both awe-inspiring and terrifying.
• The crew's successful return was met with widespread relief and camaraderie among the airmen.

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Life on Air Bases: The Flight Engineer’s Role

Shifting focus to daily life on the Marianas, the episode spotlights Master Sergeant Bill Long, a flight engineer on a B-29 Superfortress, highlighting the critical role engineers played in maintaining and operating these massive aircraft.

Master Sergeant Bill Long explains his responsibilities:

• Pre-flight Checks: "I have to foreflight take care of pre flighting the engines and the airplane to make sure that they're ready for that long mission in flight." ([12:18])
• Monitoring Systems: "I keep an accurate and constant check on fuel consumption so that at any minute I can tell the pilot just exactly how much fuel we have used and how much we have left to return to the base." ([13:00])
• Handling Emergencies: "If something went wrong, the first thing I would do would notify the pilot so that he's aware of the situation." ([14:30])

Notable Quotes:

• Master Sergeant Long: "There are about 30 indicators and most of them are dual indicators since each indicator has the dial for two engines." ([14:52])

Key Insights:

• Flight engineers were indispensable, ensuring the B-29's operational integrity during long and perilous missions.
• Their expertise allowed crews to focus on mission objectives, knowing that mechanical issues were expertly managed.

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Innovative Solutions: Wind-Powered Mechanical Laundry

The episode showcases the ingenuity of airmen through PFC James J. Blackie Mansuetti's creation of a wind-powered mechanical laundry at the Tinian air base. This segment highlights resourcefulness in adapting wartime materials for everyday needs.

PFC James J. Blackie Mansuetti describes his invention:

• Construction: "It's just like an ordinary windmill, except instead of pumping water, it just bounces the clothes up and down the barrel." ([17:35])
• Materials Used: "That's an old bomb drum I got dumped." ([17:37])
• Operation: "The wind's kind of strong out this way. And it turns the wind, the fan around, which in turn has a plunger that bounces the clothes up and down." ([17:43])

Notable Quotes:

• PFC Mansuetti: "About an hour and a half to wash clothes, provided you use hot water, which I use, heated up with some fire and so forth." ([18:19])

Key Insights:

• Airmen adapted surplus and discarded materials to create functional utilities, enhancing life on the island bases.
• Such innovations not only improved living conditions but also fostered a sense of community and self-reliance among the troops.

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Tribute to Major Richard Ira Bong: A Hero’s Legacy

A poignant segment honors Major Richard Ira Bong, the highest-scoring American ace of World War II. Captain Eddie Rickenbacker, a legendary fighter pilot from World War I, delivers a heartfelt tribute that underscores Bong’s valor and the profound loss felt by his passing.

Captain Eddie Rickenbacker shares his reflections:

• "When I think of Dick as a friend who is no longer with us, he ceases to be just one man who died. Instead, he becomes every American whose road to war was a one-way street to the supreme sacrifice." ([25:19])
• "We cannot mourn the death of one without mourning the death of all." ([25:25])
• "Richard Bong, by virtue of his courage and skill as a flying fighter, attained a truly heroic stature that will remain an everlasting inspiration." ([25:35])

Notable Quotes:

• Captain Rickenbacker: "He made his final contribution to aviation in the dangerous role of test pilot of an untried experimental plane." ([25:45])

Key Insights:

• Bong's exceptional skills and bravery left an indelible mark on the Army Air Forces and the broader war effort.
• His legacy serves as a symbol of sacrifice and dedication, inspiring future generations of aviators.
• The tribute emphasizes the collective mourning and respect for all who served and gave their lives in the conflict.

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Conclusion

The episode concludes with stirring hymns and reaffirmations of unity and victory, encapsulating the spirit of the Army Air Forces and their pivotal role in securing peace. As the listeners are bid farewell, the episode leaves them with a profound appreciation for the courage, innovation, and sacrifices of the men and women who served during one of history's most critical periods.

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Notable Exclusions:

• Advertisements for Wayfair and insurance services were strategically omitted to maintain focus on the episode's substantive content.

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This episode of Harold's Old Time Radio offers a multifaceted glimpse into the Army Air Forces' pivotal moments during World War II, blending technical insights, personal narratives, and heartfelt tributes to honor the legacy of those who served.

Transcript

[Stiles Mackenzie]

We interrupt this program to bring you an important Wayfair message. Wayfair's got style tips for every home. This is Styles MacKenzie helping you make those rooms sing. Today's style tip when it comes to making a statement, treat bold patterns like neutrals. Go wild like an untamed animal. Print area rug under a rustic farmhouse table. From wayfair.com fierce this has been your Wayfair style tip to keep those interiors superior. Wayfair every style, every home.

[AAF Announcer]

To guard the victory, to keep the peace. The mission of your men in the AAF in cooperation with the American Broadcasting Company, your Army Air forces from the air fronts beyond the battlefields present the continuing story of America's men in the aaf. This program is an official military operation of the Army Air Forces and is brought to you for contact with our airmen overseas. Tonight we take you to the Marianas.

[AAF Reporter]

To hear more news about the atomic bomb.

[AAF Correspondent]

Guam to meet a flight engineer key man of a B29 crew.

[AAF Reporter]

Tinian to see how our boys live away from combat.

[AAF Announcer]

New York to hear a salute to.

[AAF Correspondent]

An Army Air Force hero by Captain Eddie Rickenbacker.

[AAF Announcer]

And as always, we bring you the all Soldier Orchestra and singing voices of the aaf.

[AAF Narrator]

Tonight, the AAF and all of us are sure we're on the verge of a great day. For 48 hours, the world has waited breathlessly for the news which would bring an end to World War II. One of the decisive factors which brought us to the threshold of peace was the use of the atomic bomb. This week, the world viewed with mixed apprehension and hope the dawn of a new scientific era. The atomic bomb was not unleashed with any surge of elation or glory. In the words of President Truman, it was used in order to shorten the agony of war, to save the lives of thousands and thousands of young Americans. For an interview with the army airmen who dropped the first atomic bomb on Japan, here is our AAF reporter in the Marianas.

[Technical Sergeant Harold Brown]

This is your AAF combat reporter, Technical Sergeant Harold Brown, speaking from somewhere in the Marianas. During the last few days, the entire world has been startled at the announcement of America's new atomic bomb. At our wire recording microphone is Brigadier General Thomas F. Farrell of Albany, New York, who will give us a few facts concerning this new weapon. We also have three men from the cool the Superfortress that dropped the first bomb on Hiroshiloff. They are Colonel Paul W. Tibbets of Miami, Florida, the aircraft commander, Captain Theodore J. Van Kirk of Northumberland, Pennsylvania, the navigator and Major Thomas W. Farabee of Moxville, North Carolina. The bombardier. My first question is directed to Brigadier General Thomas F. Farrell. Sir, how long has this bomb been in the experimental stage? The atomic fission bomb has been under development for over three years. In those three years it was successfully completed, an effort which might have taken 30 years in peacetime. How large is it, or can you say it has the equivalent effect of over 20,000 tons of TNT. How does its destructive power compare with an ordinary demolition bomb? It is entirely impracticable to compare this bomb with an ordinary demolition bomb. It would be like comparing elephants with fleas. Only that comparison would be unfair to the elephants. Does it utilize atomic energy? It really uses atomic energy, which is the energy released when the atom is split. The process of splitting the atom is called atomic fission. Do you think Japan has any comparable weapon? We know definitely that Japan has no such weapon nor any prospect of making such a weapon during the present war. How was your crew picked for this job? Colonel Tibbetts, A long time ago when I was privileged to form this unit for Army Air Forces, I was also permitted at the same time to select the key personnel by name. Major Ferebee, Captain Van Kirk and myself had flown together in Europe. And Captain Lewis, the co pilot, was a boy and had been with me during the early experimental stages of B29 flying. Did you know what you were carrying when you took off, sir? Yes, I did know, Mr. B. Were you a little nervous? That is hard to say. I knew it was the most important mission that I'd ever been on, but I was sure each crew member would carry on his job. I wasn't aware of what we'd do, what we were sent up there to do. Did you know that your B29 would be outside of its range of concussion? No, I did not. But we'd figured to get the airplane out into a safe range and we maneuvered to make the shock as small as we possibly could. Captain Van Kirk, did it shake the B29 when it exploded? We fell through to St. Jones a short time after dropping the bomb, but it fell like close first to flak. What could you see below after the detonation? I saw a very large white mushroom shaped cloud which reached to our altitude. Hanging low over the target was a thick cloud of boiling black dust which covered the entire city with the exception of the dock area. Kenny Tebbett, have you seen any reconnaissance.

[AAF Correspondent]

Photos since the strike?

[Technical Sergeant Harold Brown]

Yes, I have seen some recent post strike photos. Well, in general, sir, what do they show? Well, in general they show that the city Of Hiroshima has taken a terrible beating. Well, can you tell us approximately how much of the city was destroyed? Well, more or less. If a personal guess on that, I would say that over half of the city is totally destroyed. Well, what kind of a reception did the crew receive upon your return to base? Well, everybody was most happy and most relieved that the first bomb of its type had been released. And there was quite a lot of hilarity on the part of everyone concerned. Colonel, Tibet is the last question. Is it your plan to continue attacks with these new bombs? Well, plans are entirely up to strategic air forces, but whatever they plan or wherever they want the bombs delivered, we'll take them. Thank you, Colonel Tibbets and brigadier general.

[AAF Correspondent]

Thomas f. Farrell in the Marianas. We return you now to New York.

[AAF Narrator]

Even in the beginning, air power was an allied operation. In the early days of their cadet training, American flyers marched to a song borrowed from the British. Now, at airfields in far off places all over the world, Flying men still cling to the nostalgic memory of sixpence.

[AAF Reporter]

I've got sixpence jolly, jolly sixpence I've got sixpence to last me all my life I've got two pence to spend and twopence to lend too pens to send home to my wife no cares have I to greet me no pretty little girls to deceive me Happy as a king Believe me as we go rolling, rolling, ho Rolling, ho, rolling, ho by the light of the silvery moon Happy is the day when the airman gets his as we go rolling, rolling.

[AAF Correspondent]

Home.

[AAF Reporter]

Four beds to last me all my life I've got two pence to spend and two pence to lend and no bench to send home to my wife no cares have I to greet me no pretty little girls do they see me Happy as a king Believe me as we go rowing on and on Rolling home, rolling home by the light of the silvery moon Happy is the day when the Evan kisses day as we go rolling, rolling home rolling home, rolling home by the light of the silvery bo Happy is the day when the heaven kisses day.

[AAF Narrator]

Some of the men who have contributed much toward hastening the day of Japan's surrender are the flight engineers on our B29s. The flight engineer is a crewman respected by his mates as the doctor who can diagnose and remedy the mechanical ailments of their giant bomber. To meet a B29 flight engineer and to learn his importance to the bomber team. Army wire recorder switches now to a superfortress returning to the Marianas from One of the last missions flown against Japan.

[AAF Correspondent]

Over one of the most important men behind the scenes in the successful operation of a Superfortress is the flight engineer on this plane. He is Master Sergeant Bill Long of Reading, Pennsylvania. Sergeant Long, would you tell us something about your job?

[Master Sergeant Bill Long]

Well, my job, I. I have to foreflight take care of pre flighting the engines and the airplane to make sure that they're ready for that long mission in flight. My most important job is, I guess, to keep a constant watch on the instruments and make minor adjustments with the electrical switches and so forth that I have on my panel to keep the engines operating within their limits. Also I keep an accurate and constant check on fuel consumption so that at any minute I can tell the pilot just exactly how much fuel we have used and how much we have left to return to the base.

[AAF Correspondent]

About how much fuel that is gasoline itself. Does each engine consume on one of these missions against Japan?

[Master Sergeant Bill Long]

Well, each one of them consumes about 1300 gallons. Each engine is about 1300 gallons for the entire flight. That makes a total of approximately 5,500 gallons for the average mission.

[AAF Correspondent]

That means a lot of a coupons for somebody on one mission. Multiply that by the amount of superport plan that hit the Japanese homeland each week. You get an idea where a lot of the gasoline is going. I believe your type of job on this B29 is the only airplane that makes a set specific job for a flight engineer insofar as having a panel of its own. Is that right?

[Master Sergeant Bill Long]

That's right.

[AAF Correspondent]

Also on takeoffs, I hear you calling out the takeoff speed. That is insofar as the rate of miles per hour the plane is traveling down the Runway. Why is that?

[Master Sergeant Bill Long]

Well, that's to inform the pilot and the rest of the crew at what speed we are approaching the takeoff run. In other words, to tell them that we're approaching the speed where we can leave the ground.

[AAF Correspondent]

And here in your particular booth here, your compartment, you can have a full view of all four engines. And you watch them constantly. Supposing something went wrong with one of them right now or anytime in flight. What would be your procedure then?

[Master Sergeant Bill Long]

Well, the first thing I would do would notify the pilot so that he's aware of the situation. Then I would take whatever corrective action I could to remedy the situation. Making adjustment with the cow flap switches or mixture controls, depending upon what the difficulty was.

[AAF Correspondent]

Sergeant Long, would you tell us approximately how many dials, instruments, switches and so on that you have to watch and be constantly aware of?

[Master Sergeant Bill Long]

Well, I'd Say, There are about 30 indicators and most of them are dual indicators since each indicator has the dial for two engines. And as for the switches, there are just about as many switches, if not a few more.

[AAF Correspondent]

Thank you very much. Flight engineer Master Sergeant Bill Long. We've been speaking.

[Stiles Mackenzie]

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[AAF Correspondent]

From the pint deck of of a B29 on a return mission from the Japanese homeland.

[AAF Narrator]

Life on an island air base can't exactly be compared to that of a modern American city. That's why our airmen spend their leisure hours attempting to make island living more comfortable. The inventive American mind and deft hands fashion useful devices from the scraps of war to better a rugged existence. On one of our islands in the Pacific is an example of such Yankee ingenuity in the form of a wind powered mechanical laundry. Over.

[Technical Sergeant Harold Brown]

We set our wire recorder up today.

[AAF Correspondent]

In the wind power mechanical laundry on the main floor here at Tinian. The proprietor of this particular laundry is PFC James J. Blackie Mansuetti of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. Blankie, what outfit are you in?

[PFC James J. Blackie Mansuetti]

I'm from a certain service group with the 58th Bombardment Wing of the 20th Air Force.

[AAF Correspondent]

All right, now that we have established the locale of your position here, tell us something about your wind driven, wind powered mechanical laundry.

[PFC James J. Blackie Mansuetti]

Well, just like an ordinary windmill, instead of pumping water, it just bounces the clothes up and down the barrel.

[AAF Correspondent]

What's the barrel? Where did you get it?

[PFC James J. Blackie Mansuetti]

That's an old bomb drum I got dumped.

[AAF Correspondent]

And would you tell us something about the windmill itself?

[PFC James J. Blackie Mansuetti]

Well, it just has about 12 props on it just like an airplane. The wind's kind of strong out this way. And it turns the wind, the fan around, which in turn has a plunger that bounces the clothes up and down.

[AAF Correspondent]

Where did you get the drive shaft?

[PFC James J. Blackie Mansuetti]

That's an old piece of iron rod I found or picked up around here.

[AAF Correspondent]

Does this particular washing machine give you dishpan hands, psc?

[PFC James J. Blackie Mansuetti]

Yeah, it kind of does. Cause the GI soup I use is kind of stuffed.

[AAF Correspondent]

How about the length of time it takes to wash clothes?

[PFC James J. Blackie Mansuetti]

About an hour and a half. Provided use hot water, which I use, heat it up with some with fire and so forth.

[AAF Correspondent]

And how about the tattletale gray of the clothes themselves?

[PFC James J. Blackie Mansuetti]

Well, it's not as. Not as good as the laundry back in the States, but it'll do for the boys out here.

[AAF Correspondent]

Would you tell us something about the horsepower of this particular washing machine?

[PFC James J. Blackie Mansuetti]

Well, that's about 20 revolutions per minute.

[AAF Correspondent]

And when you get ready to drain all this water out that you've been using, just what type of drain do you use?

[PFC James J. Blackie Mansuetti]

Oh, we have a little ditch in the ground. And you store it in.

[AAF Correspondent]

Just toss the barrel over?

[PFC James J. Blackie Mansuetti]

That's right.

[AAF Correspondent]

I'd like to have you listen to the actual mechanical sound of this wind power mechanical laundry. Thanks to you, PSC James J. Blankey man Swetti for telling us about your wind power mechanical laundry and its operation. This is your AAF combat reporter speaking to you from Tinian in the Marianas and returning you to the United States.

[AAF Narrator]

United we march to victory. United we shall keep the peace of the world. Tonight our Russian allies are sweeping through Manchuria to speed the day. And the jagged peaks are echoing the strains of a familiar battle song, the Red Cavalry March. This week a hero fell in our ranks. The Army Air Forces ace of aces, Major Richard Ira Bang, age 24 from Poplar, Wisconsin, a town you probably never heard of till a P38 Lightning fighter blazed its name in white hot lead across South Pacific skies. Poplar, Wisconsin, population 461, sent 64 of her sons to war. One of them was Richard Ira Bung, a stocky farm boy who was first to crack Captain Eddie Rickenbacker's record of the last war. Dick Bong, a sandlot ball player who shot 40 enemy planes from the sky. Dick Bong, clear eyed youngster with puffy red cheeks and turned up nose who was to become the Army Air Force's ranking ace of World War II. Tonight, Dick Bong is no longer with us. He leads a great formation of other brave airmen into the infinite Flyers who Gave their lives so that the Army Air Forces might spread strong protective wings around the world. Perhaps the person most fitted to pay tribute to his achievement in this war is the man who attained a similar position in World War I, Captain Eddie Rickenbacker. Here with us tonight is Captain Eddy in person.

[Captain Eddie Rickenbacker]

In thinking of Major Richard Bong, I find it impossible to regard him in the narrow aspect of an individual. When I think of Dick as a friend who is no longer with us, he ceases to be just one man who died. Instead, he becomes every American whose road to war was a one way street to the supreme sacrifice. And when I think of his mother, wife and father, my heart goes out to them. Because to me they represent at this moment every American family that has helped to buy victory with the precious life of a father, husband or son. You see, to me, Major Bong, like every American who has met his death in this war, is an example of the tragic and terrible price we must pay to maintain principles of human rights of greater value than life itself. We cannot mourn the death of one without mourning the death of all. Richard Bong, by virtue of his courage and skill as a flying fighter, attained a truly heroic stature that will remain an everlasting inspiration. But this gallant Army Air Force hero, who wrote his name in the skies with blazing guns, will also be remembered because he made his final contribution to aviation in the dangerous role of test pilot of an untried experimental plane. A deed that places him among the stout hearted pioneers who gave their lives in man's conquest of sky and space.

[AAF Narrator]

Thank you, Captain Eddie Rickenbacker. On the brink of victory Humbly we bow our heads and raise our voices in a pilot's hymn.

[AAF Reporter]

Tears of this prayer from the sons of the earth Audacious to dare what our loves made us we mighty our stride Seated thus by thy side in pride unconceived but in my long great father Keep us safe from all if strength to arms make evil Then after speed astray on our way forever victorious with thy potent she love.

[AAF Announcer]

And so ends the 21st edition of the Fighting AAF, an official military operation of the Army Air Forces. Next week, over most of these stations, AAF teams operating at air bases around the world will again bring you fresh and firsthand news of our men in the aaf. This is the American Broadcasting Company.

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