Q and A interview with Gen Charles Sweeney.
Missed that too!!!!
VERY hard to read, a poor transcriot, but it is all I have, but it is still interesting.
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OFFICIAL CIS MILITARY FORUM CONFERENCE TRANSCRIPT
DATE: August 30, 1995 TOPIC: Major General Sweeney On-Line Conference
Duane Goodridge SYSOP Dan Meeks [Manager] Frank Tansey [ECC] - Electronic Conference Coordinator
***** CONFERENCE PROTOCOL ***** Most of our on-line conferencing is very informal. However, our Wednesday night and our SPECIAL CONFERENCES will follow our formal rules. This will give everyone a chance to ask questions and allow our staff to keep order. Our formal conferences will have a moderator who will introduce our Special Guests and lay down the ground rules. These rules are as quite simple and easy to follow: 1) PLEASE don't all speak at once 2) To be recognized type a question mark "?" (without the "s) followed by the ENTER key. You will then be called in turn 3) If you have a long question (more than one line to type) please end each line with a " ... " to indicate you have more to type. If you keep each line, you type, to a maximum of 60 characters long it makes reading much easier. 4) When you are ready to surrender the floor signify by typing "GA" (without the "s). GA = Go Ahead It may take a you a few minutes to get used to this process, but it's a lot of fun so don't be shy. Jump right in and participate. If you need any help, please ask.
BACKGROUND: On the morning of August 9, 1945, then Major Chuck Sweeney, age 25, started his pre-flight check of the B-29. Three days earlier he had been told by Colonel Paul Tibbets, the pilot of the Enola Gay who had led the mission over Hiroshima, that he would command the second atomic strike against Japan. Unarmed and without fighter escort, Sweeney would carry in his bomb bay to the Ja- panese mainland the first plutonium atomic bomb, weighing 10,000 pounds. Unlike the Hiroshima mission that was carried out in clear, dry weather and went like clockwork, Sweeney's mission would be plagued by a series of problems that began just before take off at 3:00 o'clock in the morning of August 9 and continued until his forced landing 12 hours later at an unplanned location. Any one of these problems which could have doomed the mission and its crew - poor weather conditions, a scheduled rendezvous that never took place, a detonation alarm on weapon that went off in mid- air, a command that the mission had been aborted, a clogged fuel tank. Sweeney was the only pilot to have flown on both the Hiroshima and Nagasaki missions. With these missions, Harry S.Truman sought to convince a recalcitrant and uncompromising Japanese war machine, who vowed to never surrender, that they must end the war. Sweeney agreed with Truman, that a million American lives and at least an equal number of Japanese lives were at stake if Japan had to be invaded. General Sweeney is currently writing a book and has recently released a documentary video about Hiroshima and Nagasaki enti- tled "War's End" and will answer CompuServe's Military Forum's member's questions during this special online conference.
(1-8,Frank Tansey [ECC]) OK...Lets begin...On behalf of the Military Forum, and SYSOP Duane Goodridge, I want to welcome you all here tonight. ga (1-7,kurt glaser) attention all! (1-6,General Sweeney) Good evening from Boston. (1-8,Frank Tansey [ECC]) Good evening General Sweeney and WELCOME to our Conference! (1-16,Tim Dodero) Good Evening. (1-20,Col.Chip(A/O Adv)) Good evening, Sir (1-19,Terre Mingus) Good Evening Sir, from the Heart of Dixie, Atlanta, GA (1-23,Douglas Birkey) It was nice to hear you speak at the EAA convention at Oskosh (1-15,Bill Rogers) Good Evening, sir, From Tyler, Texas. (1-30,James Hickox) Good Evening, sir, from Brunswick Georgia. (1-4,Stuart Matthews) Good evening as well from Alexandria VA. (1-28,ELIZABETH M. LEE) Good evening sir, from NJ (1-16,Tim Dodero) This is my first conference Frank.... (1-27,Greg Lacefield) Hello from Redmond WA (1-8,Frank Tansey [ECC]) I will try to call everyone in turn. SYSOP Dan Meeks will help me. User User ID Nod Area Name ---- ------------- --- -------- ------------------- 1 102227,577 SRT Rm 1 Russell C. Stock 4 102042,657 FEO Rm 1 Stuart Matthews 6 76711,217 DOZ Rm 1 General Sweeney 7 76544,2003 SZQ Rm 1 kurt glaser 8 71171,2674 MRN Rm 1 Frank Tansey [ECC] 9 74431,2362 DOZ Rm 1 Dan Meeks[Manager] 10 102125,3036 WNJ Rm 1 Arthur 12 102024,3476 DNI Rm 1 Andrew Morris 13 72713,111 SAW Rm 1 Arthur Jacobson 15 75667,301 TLF Rm 1 Bill Rogers 16 70143,1261 DCD Rm 1 Tim Dodero 18 72733,3407 ONQ Rm 1 Larry Powell 19 102045,1647 AVA Rm 1 Terre Mingus 20 73003,613 COF Rm 1 Col.Chip(A/O Adv) 22 75257,253 HEQ Rm 1 Charles G. Thibodea 23 72733,3525 GRT Rm 1 Douglas Birkey 24 102145,1333 OUB Rm 1 Ralph Barnhouse Jr. 25 71540,2230 FVE Rm 1 Pat Beahan 27 70254,2506 SZR Rm 1 Greg Lacefield 28 102542,3363 API Rm 1 ELIZABETH M. LEE 30 102573,2026 BWL Rm 1 James Hickox 32 102763,427 LRL Rm 1 Carolyn S. Dodd 33 76304,1640 FMA Rm 1 Mike Rodgers 34 72066,2410 PYS Rm 1 Karen Sasgen 35 75677,2627 HGZ Rm 1 Kevin Hulse (1-7,kurt glaser) ? (1-8,Frank Tansey [ECC]) Go Kurt (1-6,General Sweeney) Flying the B-29 was the joy of my life.. ga (1-13,Arthur Jacobson) ? (1-15,Bill Rogers) ? (1-16,Tim Dodero) ? (1-8,Frank Tansey [ECC]) Go Kurt then Arthur then Bill (1-7,kurt glaser) Gen. was there a Mr. Dodney on the crew? (1-18,Larry Powell) ? (1-22,Charles G. Thibodea) ? (1-6,General Sweeney) No Dodney on the crew..ga (1-7,kurt glaser) ok tnx. ga (1-25,Pat Beahan) ? (1-32,Carolyn S. Dodd) ? (1-8,Frank Tansey [ECC]) Go Arthur (1-13,Arthur Jacobson) General Sweeney, a true honor. Isn't it true that Jake Beser was the only person to accompany both bombs to japan? ga (1-6,General Sweeney) No it is not true..crew of the Great Artist flew on Hiroshima and same crew flew the bomb to Nigasaki. ga (1-23,Douglas Birkey) ? (1-8,Frank Tansey [ECC]) Go Bill (1-15,Bill Rogers) General, How were you and the crew treated IMMEDIATELY after the mission? (Thanks so much for being with us tonight, BTW ). (1-6,General Sweeney) We were treated wonderfully, had a few beers. ga (1-13,Arthur Jacobson) But wasn't Beser the only man to fly on both strike a/c? ga (1-6,General Sweeney) I am sorry but there were a number of people on both missions, my entire crew... Beser was on both missions, also. ga (1-8,Frank Tansey [ECC]) Go Larry (1-18,Larry Powell) The postal service planned to issue an atomic bomb stamp this year but changed their minds after criticism. What was your reaction to this? ga (1-6,General Sweeney) No country has the right to tell America what type of stamp to issue! But the Japanese for whatever got away with it..ga (1-8,Frank Tansey [ECC]) Go Charles (1-19,Terre Mingus) ? (1-22,Charles G. Thibodea) What was it like to fly the B29?ga (1-6,General Sweeney) It was wonderful airplane and the joy of my life.. ga (1-28,ELIZABETH M. LEE) Good evening, I have a question for the General, my father is here with and he was in the 393rd bombardment squardron on the ground crew of the Necessary Evil. He says hello. (1-6,General Sweeney) A great big hello to your father... All those men did a terrific job. ga (1-3,Jim Olivi) Hello General Sweeney, My name Is Jim Olivi, the nephew of Fred Olivi. He send his greetings! I read your article in the Wall Street journal and was very impressed. (1-6,General Sweeney) Thanks Fred, my best. (1-44,Adam Plock) Did you encounter enemy fighters along the way? (1-6,General Sweeney) Only at Kokura, the primary target, but they could not make our altitude, before we left. ga (1-9,Dan Meeks[Manager]) ***** ATTENTION ***** We can not continue this conference unless everyone follows the guidelines. Please wait to be called upon before asking a question. ga (1-12,Andrew Morris) ? (1-52,James Hickox) ? (1-1,Russell C. Stock) ? (1-33,Mike Rodgers) ? (1-8,Frank Tansey [ECC]) Go PAT (1-25,Pat Beahan) Hi General Sweeney - Pat Beahan - Kemit's son here - sorry He could not make the reunion - Whose idea was it to steal the jeep? ga (1-6,General Sweeney) Kermit's idea to steal the jeep, we loved him. He was my bombadier..ga (1-2,Erwin E. Davis) ? (1-8,Frank Tansey [ECC]) ATTENTION!!!! PLEASE .... WE MUST HAVE ORDER. Too many are jumping in without being called. I am trying to call EVERYONE in TURN. We have over 100 people participating tonight, here in the Conference Room and in the Forum. PLEASE COOPERATE. ga (1-8,Frank Tansey [ECC]) Go Carolyn (1-32,Carolyn S. Dodd) Do you believe that the bomb you dropped helped the invasion forces that went through the typhoon to get to Japan as the 1st occupational forces. Also, by doing so, you saved my father's life... thank you very much! It is an honor to meet you! ga (1-6,General Sweeney) Thank you so much, our mission was to avoid the invasion losses, including our prisoners of war in Japan. ga (1-40,THOMAS FRIEDMAN) ? (1-44,Adam Plock) ? User User ID Nod Area Name ---- ------------- --- -------- ------------------- 1 102227,577 SRT Rm 1 Russell C. Stock 2 102536,1605 MUX Rm 1 Erwin E. Davis 3 70214,36 LPK Rm 1 Jim Olivi 4 75343,703 PUV Rm 1 Michael D. Sawyer 6 76711,217 DOZ Rm 1 General Sweeney 7 76544,2003 SZQ Rm 1 kurt glaser 8 71171,2674 MRN Rm 1 Frank Tansey [ECC] 9 74431,2362 DOZ Rm 1 Dan Meeks[Manager] 10 102125,3036 WNJ Rm 1 Arthur 11 76651,2354 TBZ Rm 1 Mary E. Hamilton 12 102024,3476 DNI Rm 1 Andrew Morris 13 72713,111 SAW Rm 1 Arthur Jacobson 15 75667,301 TLF Rm 1 Bill Rogers 16 70143,1261 DCD Rm 1 Tim Dodero 18 72733,3407 ONQ Rm 1 Larry Powell 19 102045,1647 AVA Rm 1 Terre Mingus 20 73003,613 COF Rm 1 Col.Chip(A/O Adv) 21 102002,601 TOZ Rm 1 Aileen E. Cudia 24 102145,1333 OUB Rm 1 Ralph Barnhouse Jr. 25 71540,2230 FVE Rm 1 Pat Beahan 26 74451,3166 AJP Rm 1 Judy Rutherford 27 70254,2506 SZR Rm 1 Greg Lacefield 28 102542,3363 API Rm 1 ELIZABETH M. LEE 29 102525,2323 OMT Rm 1 Ralph 30 102154,2576 RSE Rm 1 jim 31 74552,413 RPC Rm 1 Mark Witwer 32 102763,427 LRL Rm 1 Carolyn S. Dodd 33 76304,1640 FMA Rm 1 Mike Rodgers 34 72066,2410 PYS Rm 1 Karen Sasgen 35 75677,2627 HGZ Rm 1 Kevin Hulse 37 102600,2003 GDQ Rm 1 Dave Parvin 38 73404,460 LRL Rm 1 Dennis Heiserman 40 74001,1127 SLL Rm 1 THOMAS FRIEDMAN 41 70571,1446 TAP Rm 1 ET 43 102001,313 HUG Rm 1 George F. Zorn 44 102624,775 PSQ Rm 1 Adam Plock 45 76151,1106 SMP Rm 1 Eric Ludy 46 102567,2365 WEZ Rm 1 Jenna Kimberlin 47 74652,116 CJU Rm 1 A. Wei 49 102534,3613 DIR Rm 1 Gregg 50 70711,1705 NIF Rm 1 David G. Leighton 51 73732,1551 SCZ Rm 1 John 53 102005,366 FJJ Rm 1 B.H. Taylor 54 72170,3406 CTP Rm 1 Michael D. Mason 55 71076,467 DXE Rm 1 Thomas J. Baird 56 102624,2645 NFK Rm 1 Boris Dobrydnev 57 73500,2611 CDE Rm 1 BILL RYAN 58 71333,607 CQO Rm 1 Paul Keleher 62 75277,2722 TKU Rm 1 Jim Gardner (1-51,John Bruning) ? (1-1,Russell C. Stock) I have Glen Flowerree with me. He was a member of the 509th Bomb group on John Wilson's crew. Glen has a questin for the General but this is my 1st (1-8,Frank Tansey [ECC]) Go Terre, then James (1-30,jim) General, you were great on Larry King, did u know of the written messages dropped in the instruments from the great artiste ? (1-6,General Sweeney) Yes, there was a note from Dr. Alverez to Japanese Dr. Sagano. They were classmates at Berkely..ga (1-19,Terre Mingus) Good Evening, Sir. How many of your crew sucumbed to radiation illness? ga (1-6,General Sweeney) None, to radiation illness, I had 10 children afterwards.. (1-3,Jim Olivi) ? (1-60,James Hickox) Sir,do you feel that the groundcrews played an important part in the missions? ga (1-6,General Sweeney) Yes, a ground is the integral part of any missioon in the Air Force.. ga (1-30,jim) thank you, were there really only 7 gallons of fuel left ?? (1-6,General Sweeney) I had 7 gallons of fuel lleft when we landed at Okinawa. ga (1-60,James Hickox) ? (1-16,Tim Dodero) ? (1-8,Frank Tansey [ECC]) Russell next, then Erwin (1-65,Stuart Matthews) ? User User ID Nod Area Name ---- ------------- --- -------- ------------------- 1 102227,577 SRT Rm 1 Russell C. Stock 3 70214,36 LPK Rm 1 Jim Olivi 4 75343,703 PUV Rm 1 Michael D. Sawyer 6 76711,217 DOZ Rm 1 General Sweeney 7 76544,2003 SZQ Rm 1 kurt glaser 8 71171,2674 MRN Rm 1 Frank Tansey [ECC] 9 74431,2362 DOZ Rm 1 Dan Meeks[Manager] 10 102125,3036 WNJ Rm 1 Arthur 11 76651,2354 TBZ Rm 1 Mary E. Hamilton 12 102024,3476 DNI Rm 1 Andrew Morris 13 102006,2102 TTR Rm 1 Ken Petersen 15 75667,301 TLF Rm 1 Bill Rogers 16 70143,1261 DCD Rm 1 Tim Dodero 17 74203,515 MDP Rm 1 richard levey 18 72733,3407 ONQ Rm 1 Larry Powell 19 102045,1647 AVA Rm 1 Terre Mingus 20 73003,613 COF Rm 1 Col.Chip(A/O Adv) 21 102002,601 TOZ Rm 1 Aileen E. Cudia 22 75257,253 HEQ Rm 1 Charles G. Thibodea 24 102145,1333 OUB Rm 1 Ralph Barnhouse Jr. 25 71540,2230 FVE Rm 1 Pat Beahan 27 70254,2506 SZR Rm 1 Greg Lacefield 29 102525,2323 OMT Rm 1 Ralph 30 102154,2576 RSE Rm 1 jim 31 74552,413 RPC Rm 1 Mark Witwer 32 102763,427 LRL Rm 1 Carolyn S. Dodd 33 76304,1640 FMA Rm 1 Mike Rodgers 34 75024,1642 OKE Rm 1 Claire in OKC 35 75677,2627 HGZ Rm 1 Kevin Hulse 37 102600,2003 GDQ Rm 1 Dave Parvin 38 73404,460 LRL Rm 1 Dennis Heiserman 40 74001,1127 SLL Rm 1 THOMAS FRIEDMAN 41 70571,1446 TAP Rm 1 ET 42 102453,474 DXE Rm 1 GREG W. WHITED 44 102624,775 PSQ Rm 1 Adam Plock 45 76151,1106 SMP Rm 1 Eric Ludy 47 74652,116 CJU Rm 1 A. Wei 50 70711,1705 NIF Rm 1 David G. Leighton 51 73732,1551 SCZ Rm 1 John Bruning 53 102005,366 FJJ Rm 1 B.H. Taylor 54 72170,3406 CTP Rm 1 Michael D. Mason 55 71076,467 DXE Rm 1 Thomas J. Baird 57 73500,2611 CDE Rm 1 BILL RYAN 58 71333,607 CQO Rm 1 Paul Keleher 59 102651,1441 FJM Rm 1 MARAT-ZBOROVSKIY 60 102573,2026 BWL Rm 1 James Hickox 63 71016,1210 UTC Rm 1 Vince Staffo 64 74740,3422 LGU Rm 1 Doug Finke 65 102042,657 FEN Rm 1 Stuart Matthews (1-18,Larry Powell) ? (1-67,Malcolm R. Haggert) ? (1-8,Frank Tansey [ECC]) TOO MANY ARE JUMPING THEIR TURNS. Those who do go to the BOTTOM of the waiting list. ga (1-8,Frank Tansey [ECC]) Go Capt. Mike Rogers (1-33,Mike Rodgers) General, did you have any association with General LeMay? If so how did you find the experience? ga (1-6,General Sweeney) I had close association with him, I was his instructor pilot on the B-29 in Grand Island, Nebraska..I loved the guy..ga (1-51,John Bruning) ? (1-67,Malcolm R. Haggert) General, a former US ambassador to Japan stated the second A bomb was unncessary. What do you say to this? Thank you. (1-6,General Sweeney) Why didn't they [the Japanese] quit after the first..ga (1-69,TOM GARCIA) Why was an untested type weapon used first (rather than the type tested at Trinity)? (1-1,Russell C. Stock) Were 'A' bombs delievered to Tinian by Navy ship or by our transport sqd.? (1-6,General Sweeney) The guts of the bomb came by air and the casings came by sea, one of which was the Indianpolis..ga (1-8,Frank Tansey [ECC]) ATTENTION!!! I HAVE A LIST OF 10 WAITING...PLEASE BE FAIR AND WAIT YOUR TURN. GA (1-54,Michael D. Mason) How did the mission change your life the most? (1-6,General Sweeney) My life has been good, if the Japanese had won, my life would not have been so good..ga (1-4,Michael D. Sawyer) ? (1-8,Frank Tansey [ECC]) James Hickox up next (1-12,Andrew Morris) ? (1-60,James Hickox) Sir, this is more of a comment, being ex-air force and a Jet Mech, it makes me feel great that you acknowledge the ground crews efforts. thank you. ga (1-6,General Sweeney) Thanks Jim, ground crews are the heart & soul of any mission. ga (1-50,David G. Leighton) ? (1-37,Stuart Matthews) ? (1-8,Frank Tansey [ECC]) Go Jim Olivi (1-1,Russell C. Stock) ? (1-3,Jim Olivi) While in England last year, I met two RAF bomber crew, one from Australia, and one from When I told the Aussie about Uncle Fred, he almost hugged me and wanted me to thank Fred for saving his life and the lives of many of his countrymen. I'm sure the thanks also go to you! (1-70,Roland Cadoret) Were Jap fighters a serious threat on your run to Nagasaki? (1-6,General Sweeney) No Japanese fighters got our altitude,,no problem..ga (1-8,Frank Tansey [ECC]) Go Tim Dodero, then Russell Stock (1-16,Tim Dodero) General...what were your orders if you could not have visually sighted Nagasaki??..Would you have jettisoned the bomb into the ocean??? ga (1-6,General Sweeney) Never would have dropped the bomb in the ocean, but I was on a radar and would have dropped it that way. ga (1-16,Tim Dodero) Thank you....ga (1-32,Steve Shanker) General, I saw you last week at the Wings of Eagles airshow where I was one of the crew chiefs. I had a chance to listen to what many folks had said to you, and only regret that the conversations had NOT been recorded for posterity... I just want to add my thanks to you for the service you rendered to this country... (1-8,Frank Tansey [ECC]) Russell Stock, then Larry Powers (1-1,Russell C. Stock) What can you tell me about Col. Classen now? (1-44,Adam Plock) ? (1-6,General Sweeney) Colonel Classen went to Alaska and still may be there..ga (1-1,Russell C. Stock) Thankyou Sir (1-18,Larry Powell) Despite the early Japanese aggression, many Japanese think of Japan as a victim of the war. Why do you think they do that? (1-6,General Sweeney) Because they were taught to do that, the War Lords were the bad guys. The Japanese are lovely people, but they believed their War Lords..ga (1-9,Dan Meeks[Manager]) ??? (1-8,Frank Tansey [ECC]) ATTENTION PLEASE ... (1-9,Dan Meeks[Manager]) I just wanted to mention that the General has created a video tape "War's End" that is available by calling 1-800-200-6008 and he has donated one to be awarded to a lucky member here tonight. The General is doing this conference for us for no charge, so if you are interested in the story behind the events that ended WWII, please call and order the tape. 1-800-200-6008. (1-56,James Hickox) ? (1-30,jim) General , what US medals did you receive for the flight? Also, the electronic countermeasures tech was on both a-bomb drop planes, is he alive ? and lastly, have you ever been to NAKASAKI?? and if so when ?? THANK YOU (1-6,General Sweeney) Silver Star for Nigasaki and Air Medal for Hiroshima. ga (1-8,Frank Tansey [ECC]) Go Malcolm Haggerty then John Bruning (1-67,Malcolm R. Haggert) Sorry for interupting before, Frank. General, I'd like to thank you for your service and honor to your country. I've been studying your times, mission, and equipment for years. You are still a hero to me and my family. Thank you General (1-51,John Bruning) General, why was the bomb painted as it was...especially the black stripes on the seams? ga (1-6,General Sweeney) I really don't know, which came from the Project Alberta people or not..the Los Alamos civilians or 509th ordnance folks..ga (1-13,Ken Petersen) ? (1-16,Tim Dodero) ? (1-50,David G. Leighton) ? (1-54,Michael D. Mason) ? (1-4,Michael D. Sawyer) General, when in Japan eight years ago I met a man who said he saw a B-29 flying over his base at low altitude on the same day the bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. The island he was stationed on was about 50 miles NNW of Nagasaki, an island named Ikitsuki. Do you know of any bomber that could have been over that way at the time? (1-6,General Sweeney) Might have been a Dumbo or rescue aircraft..After Aug 15th many bombers flew low over POW camps dropping supplies, could have been one of them..ga (1-8,Frank Tansey [ECC]) Go Andrew Morris, then David Leighton (1-69,TOM GARCIA) ? (1-12,Andrew Morris) Sir, I was in London on the 50th anniversary of VE Day and was very impressed with the pride the British take in their war efforts. What can we do to educate young people in this country about what happened during the war so that we can avoid the sort of revisionism that has surrounded the anniversary of the A-Bomb droppings? (1-30,jim) General, have you vistted Nakasaki ???, if so, when, what were your feelings ??? (1-6,General Sweeney) Yes, on a number of occasions I have visited Nagasaki. ga (1-11,Ralph) General, my father was thirteen years old at the end of WWII, and he has always admired the pilots and crews of those fateful B29's. Unfortunately, without the influence of your generation, my children probably won't have an understanding of the events that necessitated the dropping of A-Bombs. (1-28,Carl A. Sutton) General, my father is a retired USMC Sgt.Maj. who fought in the Phillippines during WWII. On behalf of all of my family, I'd like to thank you for doing a great service to this country... I would in all likelyhood not be here today were it not for the bravery of you and your crew. (1-4,Michael D. Sawyer) Incidentally, many of the older Japanese people I talked to about the war said they were thankful the war came to such a sudden end, even if it took something as horrible as an atomic bomb to do it. Several Japanese and myself thank you, sir. (1-6,General Sweeney) Michael, many Japanese felt the same way... (1-27,Bouch) General, first of all, I commend you for your efforts. would you do it again if you were in the same situation knowing what you know now ? (1-50,David G. Leighton) General, was the B29 at gross take off weight and what happened to her? (1-6,General Sweeney) B-29 was at max gross weight, 140,000 pounds plus. My bird is in salvage, 10 years after the war..Bocks Car is at USAF MUSEUM in Dayton..ga (1-8,Frank Tansey [ECC]) Go Stuart Matthews, then Adam Plock (1-58,Paul Keleher) ? (1-37,Stuart Matthews) Good evening General. My priviledge to meet you. Did you have Group Capt Leonard Cheshire of the Royal Air Force as a British observer on your Nagasaki flight? ga (1-6,General Sweeney) Yes, the British officer was with us and wrote a book about it..the book is called "The Light of Many Suns".. he was a good friend of mine and died in 1992..He held the Victoria Cross for a feat in Europe..ga (1-27,Bouch) ? (1-44,Adam Plock) did you have any problems along the way to Nagasaki? ga (1-6,General Sweeney) Lots of bad weather, 600 gallons of fuel were trapped by a bad switch..5 hours of tough flying in route... Also bad signals from bombay that fuses were activated, but Lt. Barnes fixed everything..ga (1-47,C. J.) ? (1-69,TOM GARCIA) Why was an untested weapon variety used first (by Tibbets) rather than your Trinity type? (1-6,General Sweeney) Because Tibbets was the first one made, uranium; mine was the plutonium and the scientists wanted the other one used first..ga (1-8,Frank Tansey [ECC]) Go James Hickox then Ken Patterson (1-56,James Hickox) Sir, did you realize just what kind of payload you were carrying at the time? or did the explosion catch you by suprise. ga. (1-6,General Sweeney) I was not surprised, I knew about the Project for 10 months.. the fact that it worked at all was perhaps a small surprise.ga (1-13,Ken Petersen) General,when the bomb was released, did you see the cloud or feel the shock? ga (1-6,General Sweeney) We saw a flash, then were hit by concussion and then we made our turn and saw the cloud..Special turns were made to get away but routine after that..ga (1-8,Frank Tansey [ECC]) Go Tom Dodero, then Paul Kelehr (1-16,Tom Dodero) [Was there flak over] Kokura or Nagasaki???? ga (1-6,General Sweeney) No flak at Hiroshima, but flak at Kokura but no fighters could reach us..we were stripped down no guns, no fighter cover, except two 20mm in the tail.. ga (1-16,Tim Dodero) Thank you...... (1-58,Paul Keleher) Good evening, General, I just saw the B-24 and B-17 that flew into Norwood, MA airport....which did you fly before B-29's and how did they compare from a pilot's perspective? (1-6,General Sweeney) I was in the Proving Ground Command Eglin in Florida, I flew every fighter, every light bomber, every transport and heavy bomber..ga (1-13,Ken Petersen) ? (1-31,Gary Sogar) ? (1-53,B.H. Taylor) ? (1-32,Steve Shanker) ? (1-8,Frank Tansey [ECC]) Go C.J, then Russell Stock (1-47,C. J.) What your reaction to to the all the recent revisionist version of the droping of the bomb? (Personaly, I believe it was the right thing. It was War and you don't fight with one hand tied behind your back. Besides think of many lives You saved by causing the war to end then. (1-56,James Hickox) ? (1-49,Douglas Birkey) ? (1-40,kurt glaser) ? (1-1,Russell C. Stock) What is the name of the British Officer? (1-6,General Sweeney) Group Captain Leonard Cheshire VC.. ga (1-7,nicholas r hall) what fighter did you most like (1-6,General Sweeney) Sabre jet was the fighter I enjoyed the most.. P-51 for World War II..ga (1-8,Frank Tansey [ECC]) GO Gary Sogar (1-31,Gary Sogar) Good evening, Gen. My father, a wwII vet, says he was preparing for the invasion when the bombs were dropped. Were you officially aware of any invasion plans when you were given the Nagasaki mission? ga (1-18,Larry Powell) ? (1-54,Michael D. Mason) Did you witness theTrinity test before the mission and / or have you been to Trinity since? (1-6,General Sweeney) No I did not see Trinity test, I was on Tinian..but we saw films later on in July..ga (1-8,Frank Tansey [ECC]) Go B.H. Taylor, then Tom Garcia (1-53,B.H. Taylor) General, have the men involved in the flights (bombings) ever been followed to see about possible health problems related to radiation? P. S. My father taught engine maintenance at Gulfport during war. Later worked at Eglin in civil service. You are a hero around Eglin. ga (1-6,General Sweeney) No special followup, but no one got radiation poisoining..ga (1-24,Ralph Barnhouse Jr.) ? (1-37,Stuart Matthews) ? (1-40,kurt glaser) ? (1-8,Frank Tansey [ECC]) Go Tom Garcia, then Steve Shanker (1-7,nicholas r hall) did you have any idea of the real power of these weapons even after seeing the films (1-6,General Sweeney) Yes, but we didn't know if the scientists would be correct with a free falling bomb. ga (1-11,Ralph ) ? (1-29,Ralph Nemec) ? (1-7,nicholas r hall) how do you mean ?? (1-8,Frank Tansey [ECC]) ATTENTION PLEASE: I have a WAITING LIST of 6 NAMES NOW...PLEASE WAIT YOUR TURN. THANK YOU. (1-8,Frank Tansey [ECC]) Go James Hickox, then Douglas Birkey (1-56,James Hickox) Sir, do you believe, as I do, that when you wear the uniform it is your duty to carry out all oders given, no matter what the outcome. I served proudly as a member of the 347th TFS, part of the 8th Air Force. (1-6,General Sweeney) James, you correct, I share your beliefs.ga User User ID Nod Area Name ---- ------------- --- -------- ------------------- 1 102227,577 SRT Rm 1 Russell C. Stock 2 76304,1640 FMA Rm 1 Mike Rodgers 4 102466,1532 YOR Rm 1 Jason R. Secrest 5 73750,3574 TAR Rm 1 FLORIAN C PILSL 6 76711,217 DOZ Rm 1 General Sweeney 7 102055,133 EOR Rm 1 nicholas r hall 8 71171,2674 MRN Rm 1 Frank Tansey [ECC] 9 74431,2362 DOZ Rm 1 Dan Meeks[Manager] 10 75774,1673 FEO Rm 1 Joseph L. Galloway 11 75613,2524 CST Rm 1 Ralph 13 102006,2102 TTR Rm 1 Ken Petersen 16 70143,1261 DCD Rm 1 Tim Dodero 18 72733,3407 ONQ Rm 1 Larry Powell 19 102045,1647 AVA Rm 1 Terre Mingus 20 73003,613 COF Rm 1 Col.Chip(A/O Adv) 21 102002,601 TOZ Rm 1 Aileen E. Cudia 22 73404,460 LRL Rm 1 Dennis Heiserman 24 102145,1333 OUB Rm 1 Ralph Barnhouse Jr. 25 75162,615 PGC Rm 1 Rob Kall 27 74232,1023 RAV Rm 1 Bouch 29 102525,2323 OMT Rm 1 Ralph Nemec 30 102154,2576 RSE Rm 1 jim 31 73061,1006 GCG Rm 1 Gary Sogar 32 76202,1227 RCJ Rm 1 Steve Shanker 33 73622,2732 LCC Rm 1 Stephen Kissling 34 75024,1642 OKE Rm 1 Claire in OKC 36 74761,2240 PMH Rm 1 Hal Turell 37 102042,657 FEN Rm 1 Stuart Matthews 40 76544,2003 SZQ Rm 1 kurt glaser 42 73312,537 NUB Rm 1 Kenneth E. Rosen 43 71762,630 WIH Rm 1 EMORY D. CHAMPNEY 45 76151,1106 SMP Rm 1 Eric Ludy 46 75573,1754 OCC Rm 1 Rich Mynick 48 76563,2027 NIR Rm 1 William Borg/CA 49 72733,3525 GRT Rm 1 Douglas Birkey 50 70711,1705 NIF Rm 1 David G. Leighton 52 70633,1152 MNI Rm 1 Danny Cater 53 102005,366 FJJ Rm 1 B.H. Taylor 54 72170,3406 CTP Rm 1 Michael D. Mason 55 73323,75 JIF Rm 1 S. Stone 56 102573,2026 BWL Rm 1 James Hickox 58 76201,2675 VCZ Rm 1 William 60 70356,1242 AAE Rm 1 David Pope 61 102622,1716 AVE Rm 1 Ren Davis 63 71016,1210 UTC Rm 1 Vince Staffo 67 76643,1343 COC Rm 1 Malcolm R. Haggert (1-36,Hal Turell) ? (1-7,nicholas r hall) ? (1-8,Frank Tansey [ECC]) Go Kurt Glasser, then Larry Powell (1-40,kurt glaser) Gen. What would you like to leave us with on this night? (1-30,jim) ? (1-32,Steve Shanker) If you had been severely hit by flak, were your prepared, or possibly, did you have had orders to detonate the weapon over Japan before crashing if at all possible? Thanks again. (1-6,General Sweeney) No, we would have delivered the weapon to some city. never an option to discharge at sea..ga (1-43,EMORY D. CHAMPNEY) THIS IS EMORY CHAMPNEY OF WILMINGTON, DELAWARE. DO YOU RECALL A CREW MEMBER BY THE NAME OF PHILIP BARNES POSSIBLY A WEAPONEER? (1-6,General Sweeney) Yes, Phillip was in charge of the guts of the bomb in my plane..He was liaison man with Project Alberta. ga (1-35,Chris Johnson) hello (1-49,Douglas Birkey) General Sweeny,what do you think would have happened had the bomb that you dropped not caused the Japasnese to surrender considering that we could not have another bomb ready for a few weeks and the one two punch feeling would have been lost? (1-6,General Sweeney) If we did not have a bomb by November 1, we would have invaded, there was no stopping the invasion...It was possible to have gotten some more bombs but we didn't know..ga. (1-8,Frank Tansey [ECC]) GO LARRY POWELL (1-18,Larry Powell) How did you train to drop a bomb which had never been dropped before? ga (1-59,Al Vinikour) General -- Have you had the occasion to go inside your former aircraft at the Air Force Museum? It's a beautiful sight and I'm delighted they've maintained it so well. It's a shame that the Enola Gay wasn't treated as well. (1-6,General Sweeney) Yes, I toured Bocks Car a couple of months ago. I was photographed there for Parade Magazine..ga (1-35,Chris Johnson) Hi General Sweeney, thank you for doing such a good job hitting Nagasaki and getting the war over with. You saved a lot of GI's lives (1-12,Andres Kello) General Sweeney, what was going on through your mind seconds before the bomb was dropped? (1-6,General Sweeney) How to keep my aircraft on course, drop the bomb accurately, how to leave safety..ga (1-8,Frank Tansey [ECC]) GO RALPH BARNHOUSE, THEN STUART MATTHEWS (1-24,Ralph Barnhouse Jr.) Just like to say- Sir I am very proud of You and of all of Our Service men that fought in WWII! (1-37,Stuart Matthews) Apart from being the British observer, did Grp. Capt. Cheshire have an assigned duty on board? I was told that he flew in Tail End Charlie position. Does that mean, if the need had arisen, that he would have been the only one shooting back? ga (1-6,General Sweeney) Captain Cheshire had a British scientist with him, a Mr. Penny. He could move at will..ga (1-27,Bouch) Again I commend you for your efforts General. Would you do it again with your present day knowledge of nuclear destruction ? Given that I well understand the fear and loathing felt toward the Japanese at the time. Could you do it again today? ga (1-49,Douglas Birkey) ? (1-8,Frank Tansey [ECC]) GO RALPH NEMEC, THEN HAL TURELL (1-29,Ralph Nemec) General, Did you get a chance to fly the P-39? If so, what did you think of it? Was the lack of a turbocharger really hurting it's performance? ga (1-6,General Sweeney) I flew the P-39, it was a little small for me but I loved it..ga (1-12,Andres Kello) Do you know regret having been the pilot of the B-29 that dropped the bomb of Nagasaki? (1-6,General Sweeney) I did not know I should have any regrets, I did my job as ordered to do so..ga (1-63,Vince Staffo) ? (1-35,Chris Johnson) ? (1-59,Al Vinikour) Have you had the opportunity to fly on a B-52 or a B-1B? (1-6,General Sweeney) Yes, I have flown in the B-1B..but not the B-52 ga (1-13,Ken Petersen) General, what part of the country do you live in now and do you still fly? ga (1-6,General Sweeney) I don't fly anymore but live in the Boston, area.. (1-25,Rob Kall) General, do you have any words or thoughts you'd like to leave with history? Perhaps lessons for future generations? ga (1-6,General Sweeney) Love the Flag, love your country, teach your children the same thing..ga (1-6,General Sweeney) Gentlemen, I have had a wonderful evening with this new technology..If we had it in World War II, we could have done a lot more.. God Bless America and the members of the Military Forum..my pleasure in sharing an evening with you..Keep the faith..goodbye and thanks. (1-9,Dan Meeks[Manager]) The General will be given a complete transcript of this conference. We are now opening the floor for any parting comments which will be sent to the General. ga (1-8,Frank Tansey [ECC]) Thank you General Sweeney for being our Very Special Guest tonight. ga (1-8,Frank Tansey [ECC]) VERY SPECIAL THANKS to SYSOPs Duane Goodridge and Dan Meeks for making this evening's conference possible. (1-40,kurt glaser) All the Best General. God Bless. (1-16,Tim Dodero) Thank you for giving us your insight General..... (1-4,Jason R. Secrest) Thank you General! (1-37,Stuart Matthews) Thank you also. Gd nt.. (1-44,Andrew Morris) Thank you, sir. (1-67,Malcolm R. Haggert) Thank You, General Sweeny. (1-16,Tim Dodero) Frank & Dan...good job..... (1-19,Terre Mingus) Sir, thank you for taking the time and effort to visit with us this evening. (1-56,James Hickox) Good night General Sweeney, and thank you. (1-13,Ken Petersen) Thanks, General (1-5,FLORIAN C PILSL) Thank You , Sir (1-49,Douglas Birkey) Thank you for your time this evening General. I have learned quite a bit. (1-7,nicholas r hall) thank you sir (1-55,S. Stone) Thanks General, we are all very grateful to you! (1-28,DAVE SHAW) a Greatful Nation Remembers (1-67,Malcolm R. Haggert) Thank you for your example and character (1-63,Vince Staffo) General Thanks for everything you did to help end the war. (1-9,Dan Meeks[Manager]) We, the staff of the Military Forum, Thank the General and all you members for being here tonight! And.. If you are interested in the complete story of the events which helped bring the war to an end, Call: 1-800-200-6008 and order "The War's End!" (1-11,Ralph ) From the Nothern Tip of Baja California, Good job, Sir! (1-24,Ralph Barnhouse Jr.) Amen to the General closing remarks!! (1-37,Stuart Matthews) Thanks also from the Brit you had in the audience. They're grateful to you too for putting an end to the whole nasty WWII business. After winning the war in Europe, my dad would have probably been sent to beat the nips the hard way! (1-29,Ralph Nemec) Thank you for sharing your memories with all of us that appreciate our military! (1-2,Mike Rodgers) Many thanks General, for tonight and fifty years ago. Smooth sailing! (1-60,David Pope) Thank you for your dedication and service!! (1-49,Douglas Birkey) Thank you for your efforts in WWII General. From Groton MA. (1-9,Dan Meeks[Manager]) Any last comments? (1-8,Frank Tansey [ECC]) A Transcript of tonight's conference will be made available. LOOK for the announcement... ALSO: look for the announcement of tonight's PRIZE winner. (1-41,Henry Cudo) The discussion has been very enlightening General Sweeney. I wish you the very best from Shreveport, LA; home of Barksdale AFB and the mighty B-52. Thank you for your service. (1-9,Dan Meeks[Manager]) Thanks for being here!! (1-6,Duane Goodridge) You know, we have witnessed some real history with General Sweeney this evening. Thanks to all.. (1-9,Dan Meeks[Manager]) And thanks to you for being such an outstanding job of moderating! Good Job Duane!! Thanks. (1-59,Al Vinikour) This was the first forum meeting I've ever witnessed. I thoroughly enjoyed it. (1-9,Dan Meeks[Manager]) Al> That's great!!! I'm glad you enjoyed it. We plan of having more special guest in the future. Frank will update the Conference announcements as schedules are confirmed. (1-9,Dan Meeks[Manager]) We have to log off, so if you have any last comments for the general, please speak now! (smile) (1-8,Frank Tansey [ECC]) I have the capyure file and will prepare the conference transcript. Give me a couple of days. (1-49,Douglas Birkey) Thank you for ending the Second World War General!!!!! (1-9,Dan Meeks[Manager]) Thanks again for being here and for being part of the Military Forum(s). (1-24,Ralph Barnhouse Jr.) Specail Thanks to the General and the SYSops and the manager (1-9,Dan Meeks[Manager]) Thanks Ralph!! Good night all! It was great! History was made! (1-24,Ralph Barnhouse Jr.) Goodbye to all! :] (1-8,Frank Tansey [ECC]) ALL of your closing comments to the General will be included in the transcript file: NAGASAKI.CON (1-8,Frank Tansey [ECC]) GOOD NIGHT ALL.
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Hope all this has been interesting to military history nuts like myself.
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