The Doc that Ended World War II: In-Flight Logbook from Enola Gay (Hiroshima)
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Prepare to be blown away by a piece of history so monumental, it literally reshaped the world. The historical significance of this document cannot be overstated. It provides the only known in-flight account of the Hiroshima bombing mission, offering unparalleled insights into the crew's experiences and observations during this pivotal moment in history. As such, Lewis's logbook serves as a crucial primary source for understanding the immediate impact and perception of the first use of an atomic weapon in warfare. It remains the only use of nuclear weapons during an armed conflict.
Before we dive in let’s be clear: we are sharing a document that quite literally changed the course of history, and while we explore its significance, we do not support or condone the events it describes. We respect all perspectives and understand the gravity of this subject.
World War II, Bombing of Hiroshima: This is the Autograph Logbook of Capt. Robert A. Lewis, the co-pilot of the Enola Gay, which contains the only IN-FLIGHT account of the "Little Boy" mission and the bombing of Hiroshima, Japan, on August 6, 1945. This historic U.S. War Department "Line of Position" notebook measures 9 x 6 inches and features stiff drab paper wrappers, top bound in black cloth, and printed in black. It contains twenty-five leaves with autograph notes on the recto only. Capt. Lewis's gripping IN-FLIGHT account spans 11 pages (covering the upper and lower covers, rectos and versos, and 8 text pages, rectos only), providing a vivid narrative of the mission.
The notebook also includes a detailed history of the 509th bomb group dated August 10, 1945, across 14 pages, along with 3 pages of miscellaneous songs, poetry, and notes. The rear cover showcases Lewis's signed pencil sketch of the iconic mushroom cloud over Hiroshima, labeled "09:30 R.A.L. / 8/6/45." Comes with an original copy of Time Magazine “What Have We Done?”
Pedigree to Malcolm S. Forbes; Christie's, March 26, 2002, lot 172, $391,000.
“What the hell is that doing on my plane?” Lewis shouted when he first saw "Enola Gay" painted on the nose of "his" B-29 bomber (Gordon). Just days before the historic mission, Tibbets named the plane after his beloved mother, cementing his role as the mission's commander.
Frustrated and feeling sidelined, Lewis found a new sense of purpose when approached by New York Times reporter William L. Laurence. Laurence, who had been tangentially associated with the Manhattan Project and had witnessed the atomic test in New Mexico, invited Lewis to document the Enola Gay's flight in a logbook that would later be published. Laurence's own journey to Tinian was delayed, preventing him from joining the mission, but he did accompany the subsequent mission to Nagasaki and witnessed post-war tests at Bikini Atoll.
And so, this astonishing moment-by-moment account of the dawn of the Atomic Age came to life, forged from a chain of remarkable coincidences, human ingenuity, and sheer desperation. Interestingly, Lewis took precautions to protect the logbook from potential confiscation due to strict security regulations. He disguised it as a letter to his parents, addressing it "Dear Mom and Dad" at the beginning and signing off with "Love to all Bud" at the end.
Aside from the navigator's log, which merely lists the aircraft's course, speed, and coordinates, Lewis's logbook is the SOLE IN-FLIGHT narrative of the Enola Gay's world-altering mission. This modest notebook is the culmination of decades of research, years of brutal conflict, and the collective fear, rage, and grief of a world in turmoil. It captures the raw, firsthand experience of a moment that reshaped history, offering an unparalleled glimpse into the heart of the mission that changed everything.
The logbook also includes a hand-drawn sketch by Lewis on the rear cover, depicting the mushroom cloud over Hiroshima at 0930 hours. This visual representation adds a powerful dimension to his written account.
Lewis began his narrative at the midnight briefing and continued through the flight, describing key moments such as takeoff, the long journey north, and the approach to the target.
One of the most striking aspects of the logbook is Lewis's immediate reaction to the bomb's detonation. His awe and shock are palpable in his writing, mirroring the sentiment expressed by J. Robert Oppenheimer after witnessing the first atomic bomb test a month earlier.
At 8:15 AM local time, the Enola Gay dropped the "Little Boy" atomic bomb over central Hiroshima. It detonated at an altitude of 580 meters, with an estimated yield of 15 kilotons. Lewis's logbook captures his immediate reaction to the bomb's detonation, reflecting the awe and shock felt by the crew.
"It was exactly three o'clock on the afternoon of Monday, August 6, 1945, Marianas time. The first successful atomic bomb mission had come to an end after a round-trip flight of 3,000 miles in an elapsed time of twelve hours and fifteen minutes," (Laurence).
Before we dive in let’s be clear: we are sharing a document that quite literally changed the course of history, and while we explore its significance, we do not support or condone the events it describes. We respect all perspectives and understand the gravity of this subject.
World War II, Bombing of Hiroshima: This is the Autograph Logbook of Capt. Robert A. Lewis, the co-pilot of the Enola Gay, which contains the only IN-FLIGHT account of the "Little Boy" mission and the bombing of Hiroshima, Japan, on August 6, 1945. This historic U.S. War Department "Line of Position" notebook measures 9 x 6 inches and features stiff drab paper wrappers, top bound in black cloth, and printed in black. It contains twenty-five leaves with autograph notes on the recto only. Capt. Lewis's gripping IN-FLIGHT account spans 11 pages (covering the upper and lower covers, rectos and versos, and 8 text pages, rectos only), providing a vivid narrative of the mission.
The notebook also includes a detailed history of the 509th bomb group dated August 10, 1945, across 14 pages, along with 3 pages of miscellaneous songs, poetry, and notes. The rear cover showcases Lewis's signed pencil sketch of the iconic mushroom cloud over Hiroshima, labeled "09:30 R.A.L. / 8/6/45." Comes with an original copy of Time Magazine “What Have We Done?”
Pedigree to Malcolm S. Forbes; Christie's, March 26, 2002, lot 172, $391,000.
“What the hell is that doing on my plane?” Lewis shouted when he first saw "Enola Gay" painted on the nose of "his" B-29 bomber (Gordon). Just days before the historic mission, Tibbets named the plane after his beloved mother, cementing his role as the mission's commander.
Frustrated and feeling sidelined, Lewis found a new sense of purpose when approached by New York Times reporter William L. Laurence. Laurence, who had been tangentially associated with the Manhattan Project and had witnessed the atomic test in New Mexico, invited Lewis to document the Enola Gay's flight in a logbook that would later be published. Laurence's own journey to Tinian was delayed, preventing him from joining the mission, but he did accompany the subsequent mission to Nagasaki and witnessed post-war tests at Bikini Atoll.
And so, this astonishing moment-by-moment account of the dawn of the Atomic Age came to life, forged from a chain of remarkable coincidences, human ingenuity, and sheer desperation. Interestingly, Lewis took precautions to protect the logbook from potential confiscation due to strict security regulations. He disguised it as a letter to his parents, addressing it "Dear Mom and Dad" at the beginning and signing off with "Love to all Bud" at the end.
Aside from the navigator's log, which merely lists the aircraft's course, speed, and coordinates, Lewis's logbook is the SOLE IN-FLIGHT narrative of the Enola Gay's world-altering mission. This modest notebook is the culmination of decades of research, years of brutal conflict, and the collective fear, rage, and grief of a world in turmoil. It captures the raw, firsthand experience of a moment that reshaped history, offering an unparalleled glimpse into the heart of the mission that changed everything.
The logbook also includes a hand-drawn sketch by Lewis on the rear cover, depicting the mushroom cloud over Hiroshima at 0930 hours. This visual representation adds a powerful dimension to his written account.
Lewis began his narrative at the midnight briefing and continued through the flight, describing key moments such as takeoff, the long journey north, and the approach to the target.
One of the most striking aspects of the logbook is Lewis's immediate reaction to the bomb's detonation. His awe and shock are palpable in his writing, mirroring the sentiment expressed by J. Robert Oppenheimer after witnessing the first atomic bomb test a month earlier.
At 8:15 AM local time, the Enola Gay dropped the "Little Boy" atomic bomb over central Hiroshima. It detonated at an altitude of 580 meters, with an estimated yield of 15 kilotons. Lewis's logbook captures his immediate reaction to the bomb's detonation, reflecting the awe and shock felt by the crew.
"It was exactly three o'clock on the afternoon of Monday, August 6, 1945, Marianas time. The first successful atomic bomb mission had come to an end after a round-trip flight of 3,000 miles in an elapsed time of twelve hours and fifteen minutes," (Laurence).
"Aug 8-1945. This log was a last minute request of William Laurence - (Science Editor) N.Y. Times. He had expected to be aboard, but he arrived in Tinian too late. He asked [me] to keep some notes of the mission. A great deal of the notes were written in almost complete darkness. Halfway through I ran out of ink. Capt. Robert A. Lewis. Pencil corrections were made by Mr. William Laurence. Attested as true by William Laurence."
The log begins: "Little Boy Mission #1 Target Hit / First atomic bomb. / August 6th 1945 / Briefing at 2400 / Eating at 0030 / Dear Mom & Dad -
We started engines at 0227 and taxied out to take off at 0235. Then we got off the ground at exactly 0245... at the last minute before take-off our cruising altitude had been changed... which meant possibly a rougher trip."
Starting out as an uneventful flight, Lewis continues to record as the bomb technicians make final adjustments: "A 0320 Items 1-11 were completed... by Capt Parsons..."
In an echo of his hope to fly the mission and his resentment at being relegated to co-pilot, Lewis continues, "Col Tibbetts has been hard at work with the usual tasks that belong to the pilot of a B-29."
As the hours count down: "By 0552 it is real light outside," then climbing to 9,000 feet: "We'll stay here until we are about 1 hr. away from the Empire." The bomber makes rendezvous with two other B-29s equipped with observation and photographic gear. Together, the three aircraft climb to an altitude of 30,000 feet. "Everyone will be relieved when we have left our bomb and get half way home, or better still all the way home..."
"At 0730 we are loaded, the bomb is now alive and it's a funny feeling knowing its right in back of you." Hiroshima had been identified at the primary target, but two secondary targets had also selected in the case of unfavorable weather conditions. Two scout planes radioed back information on atmospheric conditions over the targets. "We received a report that our primary is the best target, so we will make a run on Hiroshima. Right now we are 25 miles from the Empire..."
Finally, the crew was in place and it was time to execute mission objective:
"There'll be a short intermission while we bomb our target." Followed by a brief blow-by-blow description of the bomb run, culminating in detonation at 8:16:02 am. "For the next minute no one knew what to expect, the bombardier and the right seat jockey or Pilot [Tibbetts] both forgot to put on their dark glasses and therefore witnessed the flash which was terrific... 15 seconds after the flash there were two very distinct slaps on the ship. Then that was all the physical effects we felt.
We then turned the ship so we could observe results, and there in front of our eyes was without a doubt !!! the greatest explosion man has ever witnessed."
Lewis, appearing to struggle for words, finally continues: "I am certain the entire crew felt this experience was more than anyone [sic] human had ever thought possible. It just seems impossible to comprehend. Just how many did we kill? I honestly have the feeling of groping for words to explain this or I might say My God what have we done. If I live a hundred years I'll never quite get those few minutes out of my mind..."
The remainder of Lewis's log records a dumbstruck crew, solemn and shocked. Several days later he adds his history of the 509th bomb crew to the notebook, along with several pages of miscellaneous ditties.
"...But take it from one who is sure of the score / the 509th is winning the war."
The final chilling element of Lewis' log is a pencil sketch of the mushroom cloud blooming over Hiroshima with the caption "various colors," adorning the length of the back cover of the notebook.
Gordon, Ruin from the Air..., 1985; Laurence, Dawn over Zero, 1947.
Provenance: Capt. Robert A. Lewis; Parke-Bernet, November 23, 1971, lot 278, $37,000; Philip D. Sang; Sotheby Parke-Bernet, November 14, 1978, lot 597, $85,000; Malcolm S. Forbes; Christie's, March 26, 2002, lot 172, $391,000.
*We took photos of dozens of items the day this was photograph, the background treasure is in no way meant to be disrespectful, it was set up for other items.*
The log begins: "Little Boy Mission #1 Target Hit / First atomic bomb. / August 6th 1945 / Briefing at 2400 / Eating at 0030 / Dear Mom & Dad -
We started engines at 0227 and taxied out to take off at 0235. Then we got off the ground at exactly 0245... at the last minute before take-off our cruising altitude had been changed... which meant possibly a rougher trip."
Starting out as an uneventful flight, Lewis continues to record as the bomb technicians make final adjustments: "A 0320 Items 1-11 were completed... by Capt Parsons..."
In an echo of his hope to fly the mission and his resentment at being relegated to co-pilot, Lewis continues, "Col Tibbetts has been hard at work with the usual tasks that belong to the pilot of a B-29."
As the hours count down: "By 0552 it is real light outside," then climbing to 9,000 feet: "We'll stay here until we are about 1 hr. away from the Empire." The bomber makes rendezvous with two other B-29s equipped with observation and photographic gear. Together, the three aircraft climb to an altitude of 30,000 feet. "Everyone will be relieved when we have left our bomb and get half way home, or better still all the way home..."
"At 0730 we are loaded, the bomb is now alive and it's a funny feeling knowing its right in back of you." Hiroshima had been identified at the primary target, but two secondary targets had also selected in the case of unfavorable weather conditions. Two scout planes radioed back information on atmospheric conditions over the targets. "We received a report that our primary is the best target, so we will make a run on Hiroshima. Right now we are 25 miles from the Empire..."
Finally, the crew was in place and it was time to execute mission objective:
"There'll be a short intermission while we bomb our target." Followed by a brief blow-by-blow description of the bomb run, culminating in detonation at 8:16:02 am. "For the next minute no one knew what to expect, the bombardier and the right seat jockey or Pilot [Tibbetts] both forgot to put on their dark glasses and therefore witnessed the flash which was terrific... 15 seconds after the flash there were two very distinct slaps on the ship. Then that was all the physical effects we felt.
We then turned the ship so we could observe results, and there in front of our eyes was without a doubt !!! the greatest explosion man has ever witnessed."
Lewis, appearing to struggle for words, finally continues: "I am certain the entire crew felt this experience was more than anyone [sic] human had ever thought possible. It just seems impossible to comprehend. Just how many did we kill? I honestly have the feeling of groping for words to explain this or I might say My God what have we done. If I live a hundred years I'll never quite get those few minutes out of my mind..."
The remainder of Lewis's log records a dumbstruck crew, solemn and shocked. Several days later he adds his history of the 509th bomb crew to the notebook, along with several pages of miscellaneous ditties.
"...But take it from one who is sure of the score / the 509th is winning the war."
The final chilling element of Lewis' log is a pencil sketch of the mushroom cloud blooming over Hiroshima with the caption "various colors," adorning the length of the back cover of the notebook.
Gordon, Ruin from the Air..., 1985; Laurence, Dawn over Zero, 1947.
Provenance: Capt. Robert A. Lewis; Parke-Bernet, November 23, 1971, lot 278, $37,000; Philip D. Sang; Sotheby Parke-Bernet, November 14, 1978, lot 597, $85,000; Malcolm S. Forbes; Christie's, March 26, 2002, lot 172, $391,000.
*We took photos of dozens of items the day this was photograph, the background treasure is in no way meant to be disrespectful, it was set up for other items.*
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