Lot 449
ENOLA GAY
A superb set of four holograph letters from the crew of the Enola Gay discussing the bombing and its aftermath in response to questions from to a grade-school history class. Includes a scarce A.L.S. of PAUL TIBBETS 2pp. 8vo., Columbus, Ohio, Sept. 18, 1981 responding to several questions from a school class, writing, in part: "... I knew about the BOMB and what it was going to do as early as September 1944, - I was ASSIGNED the job -- I have seen the film ENOLA GAY and have said it was at least 85% accurate.-- Having been born in this country and raised to respect it and our flag - I am proud of the fact that I was able to play a role in the events that led to the ending of the war and the loss of American lives...". The collection also includes the plane's navigator, THEODORE J. VAN KIRK A.L.S. 2pp. 4to., [n.p.] Oct 8, 1981 to the same correspondent, and writes, in part: "...Tibbett's [sic] of course knew from the start about the mission. Ferebee and I knew several months in advance. Some of the crew members - the majority didn't know until several days or hours before take-off. I did not volunteer but believe I could have 'backed-out' if I wanted to. I saw the film 'Enola Gay.' I[t] was not an accurate account of what happened. In fact it was highly inaccurate... The role of Jake Bezer [sic] as an electronic countermeasure crew member was played up out of all proportion to reality, etc. There were so many things wrong that I don't have time to write them all. At this point in time - 60 years old. -- I have little feeling about my role. I feel that my combat duty over Germany in the early part of the war was more memorable to me than the atomic bomb. I am sorry the discussion of should we or should we not have dropped the bomb continues. The answer is obvious - the decision was correct. In your studies or discussions about use of the bomb, put it into the perspective of the Total war of 1941-45,-- and not the perspective of the partial war of Viet Nam... It was a total war effort... In this context the use of the bomb was justified..."; JACOB BESER A.L.S. 1p. 8vo., [n.p.] Sept. 21, 1981 takes a very different tack on the film, Enola Gay: "...Yes, I saw the movie - I worked with the script writer and I spent time with Billy Crystal who played me. The script was 80-90% correct, and try as we did, you can't keep Hollywood out..." ROBERT A. LEWIS A.L.S. p. 8vo., [n.p.] Sept. 25, 1981, in part: "...The film 'Enola Gay' there was almost no accuracy to it - written and produced in Hollywood. The first victim of war is Truth...". Offered together with GEORGE CARON his signature on the first page of a typescript of an interview conducted by the United States Air Force Academy Oral History Program, 39pp. 4to. Together five pieces in overall fine condition.
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