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valuable and much-needed training in a practically 

 untried field. AAF training for Bikini began in 

 January 1946 at Roswell Field, New Mexico. It 

 concerned drone operation and the bombing mis- 

 sion, the crew for which was selected after rigor- 

 ous competition. 



At Pearl Harbor the Navy trained fire-fighting 

 and damage control teams for the exacting work 

 of first reboarding the target ships after each test. 

 This work was important in saving instruments from 

 destruction from secondary causes following the 

 explosions, and in advancing the time for safe 

 general inspection of the ships. To safeguard per- 

 sonnel from radioactivity, radiological monitors 

 were schooled in the use of Seiger counters, which 

 detect contaminated areas. 



As July I, 1946 (Bikini time), the date set 

 for Test Able, drew near — weather permitting — 

 weather forecasters frowned deeper over the in- 

 exorable data on their charts, and in the end 

 made a perfect prediction of clear weather suit- 

 able for the tests. Much depended upon their 

 accuracy. Drone planes tried their wings over 

 Bikini; and the varied photographic, reconnais- 

 sance, and press planes of the Operation plan 

 rehearsed once more the detailed courses they 



were to follow. On "Queen Day" the dress re- 

 hearsal of Test Able was held. Everything went 

 smoothly. Months of training and planning had 

 borne fruit. 



The Tests 



ON July I, 1946 it was the real thing. The con- 

 spiracy of men and instruments against the 

 bomb came into the open. Soon after the first 

 test the collection of data began — the reading of 

 the apparatus, the amassment of facts which would 

 take months to appraise. On July 25 Bikini time 

 (July 24 G.M.T.) came Test Baker, with the bomb 

 slightly below the surface of the water in the la- 

 goon. This time the work of reentry was retarded 

 by the contamination of the water. Ships were 

 washed down and made "Geiger sweet," that is, 

 free from harmful radioactivity. Concerning the 

 atomic bomb, time for bombast had ceased, the 

 time for analysis of results had begun. The photo- 

 graphs that follow make no pretense at providing 

 results and conclusions that are even now being 

 prepared. It is however hoped that they will aid 

 a greater understanding of Operation CROSS- 

 ROADS and, more important, further the intelli- 

 gent discussion of the momentous issues it so 

 urgently represents. 



Washington D. C. 

 I November 1946 



Office of the Historian, 

 Operation CROSSROADS. 



