Description:

(HIROSHIMA AND NAGASAKI) 509TH COMPOSITE GROUP SERVICE BOOK
Souvenir service book given to members of the famous 509th Composite Air Group, a unit of the Army Air Forces created during World War II and tasked with the operational deployment of nuclear weapons. It conducted the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, in August 1945. The group was headed by Gen. Paul Tibbets, pilot of the B-29 Enola Gay which delivered the atomic bomb to Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. The front flyleaf bears an ownership inscription, first names only, dated June 16, 1946 and the forward is by Tibbets, whose portrait appears opposite. The descriptive text is heavily illustrated with photos and illustrations, including facilities on Tinian, fliers at work and play, features on the destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki ("Atomic Blitz"), photos of all air crews, including Enola Gay and Bocks Car (one photo removed), headquarters staff, ground and ordnance crews, etc. The book is in rough condition, with the final pages, concerning military police, missing, registers disbound, spine cover torn, etc. Interestingly, a few photos are identified or "checked", indicating that this copy was likely owned by a member of the group. Rare.

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December 19, 2017 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000