Dan Snow's History Hit Hiroshima: As It Happened
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Aug 5, 2025 
Ian MacGregor, a historian and author of 'The Hiroshima Men', provides a gripping account of August 6, 1945. He details the chilling moments leading up to the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, revealing the contrasting lives of civilians and military crews. The emotional and technical preparations culminate in the devastating moment of destruction. MacGregor shares harrowing survivor stories and reflects on the profound legacy of the atomic age, exploring the moral complexities surrounding such a historic decision. It’s a poignant reminder of resilience amidst unimaginable loss.
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Tibbets Prepares Crew for Impact
- Colonel Paul Tibbets gave the crew polarised goggles to protect against the bomb's blinding flash.
- He told them the mission could make history and involved a bomb unlike any they'd seen before.
Hiroshima Blast Details
- The bomb exploded above Hiroshima causing immediate destruction and killing tens of thousands instantly.
- The blast missed the bridge by 800 feet but devastated the surrounding area including a hospital.
Mayor Awaya's Family Fate
- Mayor Senkichi Awaya was at home near ground zero when the bomb exploded, killing most at the site.
- His wife survived initially in the kitchen but died weeks later from radiation injuries.