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Junior Writers Reporting

Peace Seeds: Teens in Hiroshima Sow Seeds of Peace (Part 34)

Part 34: Dummy atomic bombs linked to A-bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Have you heard of “dummy atomic bombs”? They were used by the U.S. military against Japan as part of preparations for the real atomic bombings in August 1945. Also called pumpkin bombs, the dummy bombs were the same size as the Fat Man bomb used in the attack on Nagasaki.

Many people only associate the atomic bombs with Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the fact that dummy bombs were dropped in training flights on different parts of Japan is not well known. For a long time this history had not been explored, but the real picture of these practice runs for the actual atomic bombings has grown clearer since the 1990s through steady research by academics and others who are investigating war-time air raids.

The dummy bombs contained explosives but did not hold nuclear materials. To prepare for the actual use of the atomic bombs, crews were assigned to drop the dummy bombs and their missions were made top secret, even within the U.S. military. In simulating the atomic bombings on Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and other potential cities for the A-bomb attacks, military facilities in other cities were targeted with the dummy bombs, causing many casualties. It must not be forgotten that many people became victims of the A-bomb offensive, not only in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, but also in other cities as a consequence of these simulations.

Dummy bombs claim victims before real A-bombings

Yozo Kudo, 66, is a former professor at Tokuyama College of the National Institute of Technology and has been researching the dummy atomic bombs. According to Mr. Kudo, who lives in Shunan, Yamaguchi Prefecture, the objectives of using these bombs included providing training for crew members before the actual A-bomb attacks, acclimating crew members to Japan’s terrain, and looking for possible flaws in the aircraft or in the attack plans.

When the bombs landed, they would explode. In fact, the impact was so forceful that a hole of 14 meters in diameter was dug into the ground, a result that buoyed the morale of U.S. soldiers. Mr. Kudo said that replications of the uranium-type bomb dropped on Hiroshima were not produced because of technical challenges involving the explosives.

The U.S. military used 50 dummy bombs on six different days between July 20 and August 15, 1945, with 49 dropped on such targets as munitions plants on the mainland and the island of Shikoku and one discarded into the Pacific Ocean to the south of Tokyo. To simulate the Hiroshima bombing, some were dropped on the city of Niihama in Ehime Prefecture on July 24 and on the city of Ube in Yamaguchi Prefecture on July 29. Both cities are not far from Hiroshima. After August 9, the day of the Nagasaki A-bombing, the dummy bombs were used in attacks.

In all, more than 400 people were killed by these bombs. Mr. Kudo said, “The use of the dummy bombs led to the actual atomic bombings. I want to know the truth and convey this information to young people.” (Aoi Nakagawa, 15 and Shiho Fujii, 14)

Full-scale model of dummy bomb on display in Niigata Prefecture

One of these dummy bombs was dropped on the city of Nagaoka, in Niigata Prefecture, on July 20, 1945. A full-scale model of the bomb has been on display at the Nagaoka War Damage Exhibit Hall since last year, the 70th anniversary of the end of the war.

The target of the bomb was a munitions factory, but the crew on board the bomber were forced to rely on radar since their view was blocked by clouds. The bomb plunged down onto a farm and killed four people at work.

The hall displays materials linked to this bombing as well as those related to the air raid suffered by the city on the evening of August 1, 1945. Many visitors express surprise at the size of the bomb.

Junior high school students in the city are making efforts to convey information about these events. In February, second-year students from Nagaoka Minami Junior High School visited Hiroshima on a school trip. They met with junior writers and showed photos as they explained the damage caused by the dummy atomic bomb. Hitoshi Wakaki, 69, the director of the Nagaoka War Damage Exhibit Hall, said, “I want young people to learn about what happened and think for themselves about what they can do to help promote peace.” (Kantaro Matsuo, 17)

City in Aichi Prefecture attacked with dummy bombs

Tsutomu Kaneko, 65, has confirmed that his city was attacked with dummy atomic bombs. Mr. Kaneko is a member of a citizens’ group based in Kasugai, Aichi Prefecture. The group is making a record of the war damage suffered by the city. He stressed the importance of learning about the history of the war and conveying this information to others.

Kasugai was attacked on August 14, 1945. Because there was no detailed record of the air raid, Mr. Kaneko began visiting the National Diet Library in Tokyo from around 1990 and researching this event. He has since confirmed that crew members involved in the atomic bombings dropped four dummy atomic bombs on Kasugai. Seven people, including those working at a factory and civilians who were unable to escape, became victims. Houses were toppled by the blast or burned to the ground.

When he was a junior high school teacher, Mr. Kaneko and his students made a model of a dummy bomb and displayed it during a school festival. He also pursued a nationwide study in cooperation with Yozo Kudo, a former professor at Tokuyama College of the National Institute of Technology. Mr. Kaneko said, “Exploring local history with students and residents is a significant contribution toward peace building.” (Kana Fukushima, 17)

Monument to victims inspires children’s book on dummy bombs

On July 26, 1945, one dummy atomic bomb was dropped on what is now Higashisumiyoshi Ward, Osaka. At this location stands a monument to the seven victims of the bombing. We visited the monument with Hiroko Reijo, 52, the author of Pumpkin! Summer of Dummy Atomic Bombs. Ms. Reijo lives not far from this site.

The monument is located about 200 meters south of Tanabe Station on a subway line. Ms. Reijo came across the monument by chance while out shopping one day in 2003. She wondered what it was, and this curiosity led to writing the book. She said, “I used to associate the atomic bombings only with Hiroshima and Nagasaki. I never thought our town was connected to this in some way.” She added that writing a book on the theme of war became an emotional weight, but she was determined to complete the project.

She finished the book in 2011. In the story, a fifth-grader and her cousin choose the dummy atomic bombs as the subject of their independent research. They are surprised to discover a hidden side to their town’s history, and become more deeply engrossed in their investigation. This is similar to what happened to Ms. Reijo in her own research. She even interviewed a female survivor of the Nagasaki A-bombing. Given the world’s different cultural and religious backgrounds, as in pre-war Nagasaki, Ms. Reijo hopes to convey the importance of mutual understanding.

Alongside the monument are black-and-white photos taken shortly after the bombing. Our hearts ached to see the houses and other buildings that were destroyed by the blast. A memorial service is held annually on July 26 to remember the victims. Those of us from Hiroshima must be aware that many lives were also lost in the attacks with the dummy atomic bombs that were carried out in different parts of the country. (Kota Ueda, 13)

Size of dummy atomic bomb

Weight: Approx. 4.5 tons (10,000 pounds)
Length: Approx. 3.25 meters
Diameter: Approx. 1.5 meters

Junior writers’ impressions

Although they were dropped in many places around the country, young people in Hiroshima, us included, aren’t familiar with “dummy atomic bombs.” This is similar to how young people in other parts of Japan don’t feel much connection to the words “atomic bomb.” To conduct an interview, I made a telephone call to the city of Nagaoka in Niigata Prefecture. To me, Nagaoka feels like a distant place. But when we learn more about the history of places that aren’t familiar to us, and we share the things we learn with others, that can lead to cross-cultural understanding. (Kantaro Matsuo)

I interviewed Mr. Yozo Kudo. The interview brought many surprises because I found out that there are many things I don’t know, and not only about the dummy atomic bombs but also about the real atomic bombs that were dropped on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. I want to somehow make use of the knowledge I gained through this interview. (Aoi Nakagawa)

The name “pumpkin” sounds cute, but I learned that the bombs were cruel weapons. The things Mr. Kudo told us in the interview made me so sad, they’re impossible to forget. He said that the building that was the target of the attack looked like a barracks where soldiers were supposed to be, but it was actually an elementary school. I’m now keenly aware that even children can become victims of war. There should never be another war. (Shiho Fujii)

Hiroko Reijo, the author of a book on dummy atomic bombs, said that her book has received the strongest response from school teachers. She said that teachers have told her they learned about the bombs for the first time by reading her book and that it’s easy to use as a teaching tool for peace education. It was through Ms. Reijo’s book that I also became aware of these bombs for the first time. To create a peaceful world, it’s really important to learn about what happened in the past and share that information with others. (Kota Ueda)

What is Peace Seeds?
Peace Seeds are the seeds of smiles which can be spread around the world by thinking about peace and the preciousness of life from various viewpoints. To fill this world with flowering smiles, 39 junior writers, from the sixth grade of elementary school to the third year of senior high school, choose themes, gather information, and write articles.

(Originally published on July 21, 2016)

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