TEST A: EXPLOSION IN AIR 



Wotho Atoll, and continued on until 8:03 a.m., when 

 it arrived over Bikini Atoll. Its first practice run 

 over the target was made to check wind velocity figures 

 received by radio from the aerological group. 



The final practice run, a full-rehearsal run, began 

 at 8 :20 a.m. A radar beacon at Bikini was picked up 

 from a distance of 50 miles and was used to time the 

 approach and maintain the desired course of 45 de- 

 grees true. The Bomb Commander and his tw^o weapon- 

 eers made last minute adjustments to bomb and bomb- 

 sight. A flashing lamp on the NEVADA came into 

 view; NEVADA'S high-visibility paint was clearly 

 identified. The simulated practice drop was made at 

 8 :31 a.m. 



The final run began at 8:50 a.m., from a distance 

 of more than 50 miles. Course and altitude were held 

 constant. Visibility was excellent. Within a few seconds 

 of 9 :00 a.m. the bomb was released and the bombardier 

 called "Bomb away, bomb away!" 



Bomb bay doors were then closed, and the plane 

 made a 150 degree level turn to the left. It made a 

 shallow dive, losing 1000 feet altitude while increas- 

 ing speed of get-away. 



Sgt. J. W. Cothran, Radio Operator. Major Swancutt's crew had 

 been chosen for the job after long training at the bombing ranges 

 at Alamogordo, N.M.; Albuquerque, N.M.; and over Erik Island 

 of Bikini Atoll. His crew was winner in a strenuous competition 

 among many other outstanding crews. His plane was yiamed after 

 Capt. David Semple, Army bombing expert and leading bombardier 

 in the early competition, who was killed in a B-29 crasli m Neiv 

 Mexico before the move to Kwajalein. 



105 



