Through the summer of 1945, the Japanese home islands were reeling from massive firebomb attacks by B-29s flying from Guam, Tinian, and Saipan in the Marianas chain. It was the world’s first atomic bomb, and Special Mission No. The weapon had a name as well: “Little Boy,” even though it was 12 feet long and weighed more than 9,000 pounds. Paul Tibbets, the pilot, is standing fourth from left. Tibbets sent for a painter, who printed “Enola Gay”-Tibbets’ mother’s name-in neat block letters below the cockpit window on the left side of the nose. Up to then, the bomber was identified by side number 82 stenciled on its aft fuselage, but it had not been given a name. He would fly the B-29 on its mission to deliver the bomb. Tibbets, 30, commander of the 509th Composite Group. A B-29 Superfortress was towed into position straddling the pit and the weapon was hoisted by hydraulic lift into the bomb bay.Īmong those who watched the loading was Col. Shortly after noon, the weapon that would be used was removed from a secure assembly hut at North Field on Tinian, covered with a tarpaulin, and hauled on a trailer to a loading pit. That was the news that a group of airmen on Tinian had been awaiting. 5, 1945, the clouds that had hung over southern Japan for a week began to clear and the weather forecast said conditions would be right on Monday for daylight visual bombing.
