Hiroshima atomic bomb: Survivor recalls horrors - BBC News

BBC News

5 Aug 201503:36

Summary

TLDROn August 6, 1945, the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima from 29,000 ft, causing immense devastation. Survivors like 8-year-old K Ura witnessed the horrific aftermath, with thousands suffering from burns and radiation. Initially, media reports focused on physical damage, ignoring the human toll. Decades later, color footage of victims was declassified. The bomb's impact, killing 100,000 to 150,000 people, is debated as a necessary evil to end WWII. Students from Princeton University recently met a Hiroshima survivor, grappling with the reality of the tragedy and questioning the conventional narrative. The lack of visits by US presidents to Hiroshima or Nagasaki highlights the ongoing struggle to confront this dark chapter of history.

Takeaways

💥 The atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima from 29,000 ft resulted in a devastating explosion that resembled a 'giant candy floss', but led to the suffering and death of tens of thousands of people.
👀 Survivors like 8-year-old K Ura witnessed the horrific aftermath firsthand, including people with severe burns and skin peeling off.
📰 Initial news reports focused on the physical damage to the city, with little mention of the human toll from burns and radiation.
🚫 Classified footage of victims taken in 1946 was only declassified in the 1980s, revealing the extent of the suffering to a wider audience.
🗽 When K Ura visited the United States, she found that many Americans were unaware of the horrors she had witnessed, with some even expressing gratitude for the bombing.
🕍 The destruction of Hiroshima is often viewed as a necessary evil to end World War II, but the script suggests it's time to reconsider this view.
🎓 Princeton University students were deeply affected by meeting a Hiroshima survivor and learning about the horrors they witnessed.
📚 The students' education had presented a sanitized narrative of the bombing, omitting the human suffering and ongoing trauma.
🌏 The script highlights the need for a broader understanding and acknowledgment of the suffering caused by the bombing, particularly in America.
🕊️ No sitting US president has visited Hiroshima or Nagasaki, reflecting a lack of直面 the full impact of the bombings.
🌀 The script also touches on Japan's own difficulties in confronting its World War II history, suggesting a broader need for historical reflection and reconciliation.

Q & A

What was the target of the first atomic bomb dropped on August 6th, 1945?
-The target was Hiroshima, Japan.
From what altitude was the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima?
-The bomb was dropped from 29,000 feet.
What was the description of the atomic bomb explosion from a distance?
-The explosion looked like a giant candy floss from a distance.
What was the immediate aftermath described by the eyewitness, K Ura?
-Survivors gathered outside her house with burned and swollen faces, begging for water, and their skin was peeling off.
What was the initial reaction of the people K Ura saw after the explosion?
-They were holding what she initially thought were rags, but were actually their own skin peeling off.
How did the US news reports at the time describe the event?
-The reports described only the physical damage to the city, with no mention of the thousands dying from burns and radiation.
What was the reaction of Americans when K Ura visited the United States?
-She was told by American citizens that she should be thankful for the bombing because it saved her life.
How many people were estimated to have been killed by the atomic bomb in Hiroshima?
-Between 100,000 and 150,000 people were killed.
What is the conventional wisdom outside Japan regarding the bombing of Hiroshima?
-The destruction of the city is seen as a necessary evil that brought an abrupt end to World War II.
What did the students from Princeton University learn from meeting a Hiroshima survivor?
-They learned that the narrative they were taught was incomplete and that the horrors of the bombing were still being relived by the survivors and the city.
Why is it significant that no sitting US president has visited Hiroshima or Nagasaki?
-It signifies the difficulty in confronting the historical reality and the impact of the bombings, as well as the ongoing debate about the necessity and morality of using atomic bombs.

Outlines

00:00

💥 Hiroshima's Atomic Bombing and Its Aftermath

On August 6, 1945, the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima from an altitude of 29,000 feet, causing massive destruction and human suffering. The explosion was visually described as resembling a giant candy floss, but the reality was far from sweet. Tens of thousands of people were burned alive, with survivors gathering outside with burned and swollen faces, begging for water as their skin peeled off. The initial news reports focused on the physical damage to the city, with little mention of the human toll. The footage of the victims was classified until the 1980s. The narrative outside Japan often presents the bombing as a necessary evil to end World War II, but this perspective is being challenged, especially as more people learn about the horrors firsthand. The script also mentions the lack of visits by sitting US presidents to Hiroshima or Nagasaki, indicating a continued discomfort with confronting this aspect of history.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Atomic bomb

An atomic bomb, also known as a nuclear weapon, is a device that releases a massive amount of energy through nuclear reactions. In the context of the video, the atomic bomb refers to the one dropped on Hiroshima, which was a pivotal event in World War II. The script describes the bomb as a 'cigar-shaped' device that exploded 500 meters above the city, causing immense destruction and killing between 100,000 and 150,000 people. This keyword is central to understanding the video's theme of the devastating effects of nuclear warfare.

💡Hiroshima

Hiroshima is a city in Japan that was the target of the first atomic bomb used in warfare on August 6, 1945. The video script recounts the experiences of a survivor from Hiroshima, highlighting the human cost of the bombing. The keyword 'Hiroshima' is used throughout the script to emphasize the location of the tragic event and to personalize the historical narrative with the stories of those who lived through it.

💡Survivor

A survivor is a person who has endured a catastrophic event, often against the odds. In the script, the term 'survivor' is used to describe those who lived through the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. The video script vividly describes the physical suffering of survivors, such as their burned and swollen faces and the peeling of their skin, illustrating the profound human impact of the bombing.

💡Radiation

Radiation refers to the emission of energy as electromagnetic waves or as moving subatomic particles. In the context of the video, radiation is a key concept as it was one of the major causes of long-term health issues and deaths following the atomic bomb explosion in Hiroshima. The script mentions that news reports at the time did not mention the thousands dying from burns and radiation, highlighting a gap in the historical record and the ongoing effects of the bombing.

💡Nagasaki

Nagasaki is another city in Japan that was targeted by an atomic bomb during World War II, just days after the bombing of Hiroshima. Although not directly mentioned in the script, the reference to 'Nagasaki' is implied when discussing the broader context of the atomic bombings in Japan. The keyword 'Nagasaki' is relevant as it helps to frame the discussion of the bombings within the larger narrative of the war and its aftermath.

💡Burns

Burns are injuries to the skin or other organic tissues primarily caused by heat or chemicals. The script describes the immediate aftermath of the atomic bomb, where survivors were seen with severe burns, their skin peeling off. The keyword 'burns' is significant as it underscores the immediate physical harm caused by the bomb and the ongoing suffering of the survivors.

💡War

War refers to a state of armed conflict between different nations or states. The video script discusses the atomic bombing of Hiroshima within the context of World War II, suggesting that the bombing was a 'necessary evil' to bring about a swift end to the war. The keyword 'war' is integral to understanding the historical backdrop against which the bombings occurred and the complex ethical debates that continue to surround their use.

💡American perspective

The American perspective refers to the viewpoint or understanding of Americans regarding historical events, in this case, the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The script mentions that Americans knew little about the horrors witnessed by survivors, and some even congratulated a survivor for being able to come to the United States because of the bombing. This keyword is crucial for understanding the differing narratives and the need for a broader, more empathetic understanding of historical events.

💡Horror

Horror is a deep feeling of fear, shock, or disgust. In the video script, 'horror' is used to describe the emotional response to the devastation caused by the atomic bomb. The survivors' experiences, such as seeing people with their skin hanging off, evoke a sense of horror. This keyword is central to conveying the emotional impact of the event and the lasting trauma experienced by those involved.

💡Necessary evil

A necessary evil is something that is unpleasant but is believed to be required to achieve a particular goal. The script suggests that the destruction of Hiroshima was viewed by some as a necessary evil to end World War II. This keyword is significant as it reflects the moral and ethical dilemmas associated with the use of nuclear weapons and the debate over their necessity in ending the war.

💡Rethink

To rethink means to consider or reconsider something again, often with the aim of reevaluating or changing one's opinion. The video script poses the question of whether it is time for the outside world, particularly America, to rethink the conclusion that the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were justified. This keyword is important as it encourages viewers to engage in critical reflection on historical events and their consequences.

Highlights

The first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima from 29,000 ft, causing a massive explosion that looked like a giant candy floss but resulted in the suffering of tens of thousands of real people.

8-year-old K Ura witnessed the aftermath of the bomb, with survivors gathering outside her house, their faces burned and swollen, begging for water, and their skin peeling off.

Initial reactions to the survivors included shock and disbelief as their skin was hanging and peeling off, mistaken for rags.

News reports at the time focused on the physical damage to the city, with no mention of the thousands dying from burns and radiation.

Color footage of the victims taken in 1946 was classified until the 1980s, revealing the true extent of the suffering.

Koo's experience in the United States showed that many Americans were unaware of the horrors she had witnessed, with some even congratulating her for being able to come to the US due to the bombing.

The narrative that the atomic bomb was a necessary evil to end the war is questioned, prompting a call for a reevaluation of this conclusion.

A group of Princeton University students meet a Hiroshima survivor for the first time, confronting the reality of the horrors she witnessed.

Students grapple with the realization that the narrative of a scientific instrument ending the war omits the human suffering and ongoing trauma.

The emotional impact of the museum's exhibits, showing models of people with skin dripping off, is profound for the students.

The lack of visits by sitting US presidents to Hiroshima or Nagasaki is noted, highlighting the ongoing disconnect between the US and the reality of the bombings.

The broader context of World War II is acknowledged, with the recognition that horror was committed by all sides, including Japan, and that many countries struggle with confronting their own histories.

The report by BBC News in Hiroshima emphasizes the ongoing struggle and the need for a deeper understanding of the bombings' impact.