FIREBREAKS FAIL

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 22682, 9 August 1945, Page 5

FIREBREAKS FAIL

HIROSHIMA DESTRUCTION HEART OF CITY RAZED BOMBER FROM MARIANAS (Uailed Presa Assn. —Elec Tel. Copyright) (Received Aug. 9, 11.30 a.m.) a NEW YORK, Aug. 8 The Tokyo radio said that most of Hiroshima had been completely destroyed. The destruction power of the atomic bomb, said the radio, was indescribable and was spread over a large area. It particularly stressed the amount of damage by fire and the number of buildings which crashed down. Photographs show clearly that the heart of Hiroshima was wiped out as if by a giant bulldozer. Only a few concrete structures, believed to be air raid shelters, remained standing, but even they had been burned inside. Seven streams and several manmade firebreaks, includihg one three blocks wide, which were among the best seen in Japan, failed to stop the flames. Net Touched By Concussion The lower part of Hiroshima, with the harbour and dock facilities, appeared to be barely touched by concussion. An expert said there was no comparison between a normal conflagration and a fire caused by an atomic bomb. He recalled that when Yokohama burned, it looked as if smokepots were burning throughout the city, whereas an immense smoke and dust mushroom plumed over Hiroshima. Photographs taken four hours after the bombing showed smoke rising to a height of 40,000 ft, obscuring the city. Colonel Tibbets, who was specially trained for the mission, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross by General Spaatz as he stepped from the plane. Crew Wears Goggles The aircraft took off from a base in the Marianas and only three men on board knew of its precious cargo. The crew, however, had been warned to expect a blinding flash and wore black goggles. Captain Parsons said he was aasigned by the Navy to work on the weapon with a view to making it safe to handle. He had carried a number of atomic bomb facsimiles in practice at the Alamogordo bombing range, New Mexico. He said he began his work in June, 1943, to perfect an explosive flfcat could be carried in comparative safety in a plane for the length <*i time required to fly from the anas to Japan. Checked to Last Minute He explained: “The bomb ciufllH be controlled like other bombs. It must still be checked to the tail minute by the bombardier. This null be true until it is more fully d«4feloped. However, we crmld not dpflay its use for further development be- 1 cause it was worth too much to end the war.” » Correspondents report that there are many secrets about the flight and the bombing, including the reason for the selection o€ the target. It is believed probable that Hiroshima was chosen not ordy for its great importance but partly because the weather was clf?ar there, permitting a close view of the explosion. REVOLUTIONARY CHANGES ENERGY FOR INDUSTRY (Received Aug. #, 1 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 8 A British aircraft official stated that industrially harnessed atomic energy could drive the liner Queen Mary across the Atlantic on a teacup of fuel. The new discovery was by far the greatest in modem times, but its re'*.! effect would not be felt until it was applied to peaceful uses. When atomic energy came into industrial t»se a small amount built into a car could operate B for a lifetime and it would be simple to provide central heat for a large house with atomic energy because it would require hardly any fuel. However, such developments would not be possible for many years yet.