Description:

THEODORE J. "DUTCH" VAN KIRK
(1921 - 2014) American Army Air Corps officer, navigator of the Enola Gay during its mission to Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. Astounding pair of A.Ms.S., both penned on the first few pages of "Enola Gay", by Gordon Thomas and Max Witts [New York: Stein and Day], 1977. 328pp. 8vo., with dust jacket. Van Kirk, who signs both adding his wartime rank and "Navigator - Enola Gay Hiroshima 6 Aug. 1945" sets down his recollections and personal thoughts about the famous attack. The first manuscript reads in part: "The skies were clear as I helped find our aiming point among the many military targets located in Hiroshima, Japan. We dropped 'Little Boy' on August 6, 1945 at 09:15 AM Tinian time. The bomb exploded 43 seconds later, about 1800 feet over the city of Hiroshima, causing a bright light and shaking our plane…Although I feel sorry for the people it affected…there will always be civilian casualties…This mission was necessary to end the war and stop the killing…Nevertheless all war is Hell!…". Van Kirk writes an additional two pages and signs immediately following: "...After 65 years most people don't know why we dropped the Atomic weapons. They remember only the casualties…We dropped the bombs in spite of the casualties to destroy military targets scattered throughout Hiroshima, to save our POWs who had been ordered killed in event of invasion, to destroy the Japanese will to fight and to end the war and stop the killing. Our air force had dropped leaflets…warning of 'A rain of ruin from the air'. Unfortunately, the warning of the leaflets was largely ignored. Hence the bombing…". A library de-accession later signed by Van Kirk, with library card sleeve and stamps.

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December 8, 2015 10:30 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

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