Grim Death Roll From Atomic Bombs

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 150, 1 July 1946, Page 5

Grim Death Roll From Atomic Bombs

HIROSHIMA, NAGASAKI

LESSONS TAUGHT THE WORLD TOLD BY BRITISH MISSION ’5.30 p.m. LONDON, June 29. Atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and .agasaki (Japan) killed 120,000 people, accordng to a report by a British mission which visited the cities, under the direction of the Chiefs of Staff, to make a precise and authoritative study of the damage. Eighty thousand of 320,0W people in Hiroshima were killed, and 40,000 of 260,000 in Nagaski. . The Hiroshima bom*) exploded above a level expanse of over ten square miles. Wooden houses were destroyed for four square miles by the blast and fire, strong reinforced concrete buildings in the centre of the city mostly resisted the blast, but were burnt, out. The Nagasaki bomb exploded over a valley containing 11 square miles of industry and slums, which were destroyed. Some 1000 feet of hills protected the harbour and housing areas. The report states that witnesses agreed that a panic flight of the population from each city increased the disaster’s severity. Even fire rescue services were abandoned and communal life virtually was brought to a standstill. Blast, heat, radiation and radioactivity produced the damage and casualties. Many of Hiroshima's concrete buildings, of strong anti-eaerth-quake design, suffered no serious structural damage, except that the roofs were depressed like saucers.

Wooden Japanese-styled houses were damaged irreparably more than 14 miles from the centre of damage.

Although Japanese shelters were much under British standards, all survived except the poorest earth-covered shelters. Standard British shelters, like Sir John Anderson’s and Mr. Herbert Morrison’s reinforced surface shelters, would have remained safe from collapse, even at the centre of damage, and deep shelters like London’s underground, would have given complete protection. Intense Flash

For a fraction of a second there was an intense flash from the bombs, and radiated heat from them scorched objects fiercely to a great distance. People in the open immediately under the explosion died from burns within minutes, or hours. Severe burns were suffered to distances of 1500 yards from the centre of damage. Slight burns were suffered even beyond 21 miles. Flimsy intervening objects offered protection against heat radiation, which travels in straight lines. Thin clothing protected the skin, though Itself caught fire. Dark portions of clothing smouldered, but light portions were not affected. The report adds that, despite stories to the contrary, the amount of radioactivity in the ground of Hiroshima and Nagasaki was never dangerous, but it could be expected that fission products would impregnate the ground in dangerous quantities from a bomb exploded at a lower level.

“Gamma Rays” The most important radio-active action in Hiroshima and Nagasaki appears to have been that from a penetrating short-wave radiation, the exact make-up of which is unknown, and which summarily is called “Gamma Rays.” These passed through the skin without effect and sufferers appeared unhurt until after ! perhaps 24 hours. Then they showed symptoms of nausea, vomiting and fever. Deaths began about a week [ later and reached their peak in fliree weeks. Most of them ceased after six weeks. The action of “Gamma Rays” is indirect. They damaged bone marrow, thus preventing the formation nt new blood cells to replace those which normally die off, causing the patient to suffer from progressive anaemia. It is thought that “Gamma Rays” ultimately caused the death of nearly everyone fully exposed to them up to a distance of half a mile from the centre ot damage. Even substantial buildings gave no protection from “Gamma Rays.” Shelters Adequate The mission expresses the opinion that, according to Hiroshima estimates, British cities with a density of population of 45 to the acre could expect a death risk of 70 per cent, to the half-mile and 20 per cent, to the mile from the centre of damage. Twothirds would be rendered homeless. Industrial losses could be considerably reduced by adequate fire precautions. Framed buildings should be advocated for public and semi-public buildings. Rules should be drawn up for a reasonable standard of protection against flying glass, heat flash, and “Gamma Rays.”