August 6 began with a midnight briefing in a heavily guarded Quonset hut, and a prayer by the chaplain. The aircrews of the Enola Gay and the other planes boarded canvas-covered trucks lined with benches to be driven to the airfield. They passed through numerous checkpoints en route. Arriving at the hardstand, the airmen found an unexpected scene. The Enola Gay was surrounded by a crowd numbering in the hundreds—VIPs, ground crews, soldiers, and a large deputation of the press. The big airplane was brightly lit by klieg lights. Motion picture cameras were mounted on portable risers. Lightbulbs
...more
