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Unidentified photographer
Enola Gay Crewmember, Dutch Van Kirk, Inscribed and Signed Photograph
n.d.
Gelatin silver print, inscribed
Cowan's Auctions, Inc
American History, 1 August 2016, lot: 150
LL/67955
Van Kirk, Theodore “Dutch” (1921-2014). Navigator on the Enola Gay. Signed and inscribed photograph of the aftermath of the bombing of Hiroshima, 10 x 8 in. Van Kirk inscribed,
The skies were clear as we located our enemy(?) point in Hiroshima, Japan. We dropped “Little Boy” on August 6 at 9:15 Am Tinian time. The five ton bomb exploded 43 seconds late at an altitude of 1800 feet with a bright flash and two shock waves that later hit the plane. Although I felt sorry for the citizens of Hiroshima there will be civilian casualties as long as military and civilian targets are mixed and despite our dropping thoughts of warning leaflets the mission was necessary to end the war with minimum casualties. Nevertheless, war is Hell. [signed] Dutch Van Kirk Navigator-Enola Gay Hiroshima 6 August 1945.
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