Megaton Tests - 8th November 1957

This week's blog comes courtesy of Diane who found this document that belonged to her father.

The Foreword says: 'It is unlikely that anyone who was present on Christmas Island this morning will forget the experience. In the middle of this century it seems clear to us that nothing can stop or even halt for a time, the scientific onward march of man. Indeed we turn our eyes now to the moon and the stars and talk of visiting the in the near future. At the same time, the nations on the earth remain in the persistent antagonistic blocs and only the knowledge that each side possesses weapons like those we saw this morning prevents general and prolonged war.'

'In the following pages we present the story of this day written by many hands and covering many different aspects. We present it as a souvenir of the event and as a tribute to all who took part in it. 8th November 1957'

"With regard to the present tests, weapon design and dropping techniques include every possible safeguard that human ingenuity can provide. These coupled with an increasing knowledge of the complexity of the South Pacific Meteorological conditions combine to render radiation hazard on this Island or elsewhere of no real significance to anyone except the crews of the Sampling Canberras. Their contribution is so vital to weapon development that carefully calculated dose is allowed for them - but one that cannot produce any possible permanent physical injury. This applies also but to a much smaller degree to the trained Decontamination Squads whose responsibility it is to ensure that 'hot' sampling aircraft are made safe for normal work and maintenance to be carried out on the Airfield."

'One noticeable comment from a crew member was

"We are right where the bloody thing is going to burst;"

so we were, doing another run over G.Z.'

"GOING FISSION"

Our other task on the island is ferrying everything from

bofffins to bananas anywhere at any time.

It may not be generally known that the success

f the forthcoming operation depends to a large extent

on sandwiches. Even our boffin friends eat sometimes.

Consequently our slogan on No. 22 Squadron has been

"The sandwiches must go through". It is to our scientific

friends that we address our final remarks, Gentlemen, your

food comes through whilst we are virile, but you will surely

starve if you make us sterile.