Governmental Report and Analysis of the Bombing at Hiroshima, Less than Three Months Following the Attack.
Important archive analyzing the effects of the detonation of the Little Boy atomic bomb above Hiroshima in August of 1945.
The archive presents the results of the bombing across aerial photos, reports, and a map. The photographs are enlightening: they include two sets of before and after images, showing the region around Hiroshima Castle and the Atomic Bomb Dome, where the eastern branch of the Ota River forks. The destruction is palpable in these images: the city goes from well-ordered neighborhoods to complete destruction, with only a few spattered buildings left standing.
The map translates the data from these photographs into something more understandable. It outlines the extent of damage that can be traced, as well as the extent of damage. This is overlain onto a larger-scale aerial image, allowing for the immense destruction to be better understood in perspective.
The reports, one of which is dated November 6th, provide detailed analyses of the destruction. They give general descriptions of the situation, as well as damage reports for specific buildings and building types. They also describe the provenance of the aerial photos and a distribution list for the report.
Some of the material in the archive appears to have been printed in the UK, given the "crown copyright" on the verso of the images. In addition, some British spellings are used within the report. However, the archive was housed in a War Department manila envelope, pointing to a mixed provenance.
Contents
- Four silver gelatin aerial photographs, with verso reading "AM Crown Copyright Reserved." All of Hiroshima, two before and two after the blast.
- Map entitled "Hiroshima," with a red overlay showing the visibly damaged area and green outlines delimiting the town.
- "Interpretation Report No.K.4350" entitled "Locality: Hiroshima. Damage Report (Atomic Bomb Attack)" Two sheets, front and back.
- "Statistical Analysis." One page, single-sided.
- Photograph distribution list. One page, single-sided.
- War Department manila envelope.