As a 7-YO child, I watched the April 22, 1952 detonation of the 6-test Snapper series Test Charlie. I was absolutely aghast that US service personnel were exposed to both the initial blast, and then about an hour later were marched into the detonation area. US paratroops jumped into the area about 90 minutes after the ground troops. Media personnel also were exposed. By then, I had studied reports in the press about the medical dangers of such exposures. I still do not understand where the brains in the heads of the Pentagon were, that they would issue orders to allow such exposures and contamination.
Yes, I DO understand the supposed military ‘need to evaluate the dangers’. I fully appreciate their immediate desire to figure out if troops could enter the area and remain combat-effective. However, that should have been done incrementally, not as it was – all in one ‘swell foop’. The Pentagon Brass were supremely over-confident and under-informed.
The Pentagon continued this folly for at least 3 more tests in this same series. One of those, Test George, gave off some 1,000 times as much energy as expected. Out of some 1,054 US tests, in that single event, Test George alone accounted for more than 7% (> 74) of the medically-excessive irradiation. We still have not determined exactly how many of the participant personnel later developed medical issues as a result of the US military’s gross lack of knowledge or understanding.
For months after seeing that on TV, I woke screaming from nightmares. It still gives me ‘cold robies’ just to think about it.
Dwight Schmiddlapp over 1 year ago
I don’t think it’s a dud.
Linguist over 1 year ago
That Big Boy’s gonna be a smash hit!
Zebrastripes over 1 year ago
I’m surprised Hollywood hasn’t thought of this before…
I lived it so it ain’t just a piece of cake…☹️. Scary
mokspr Premium Member over 1 year ago
I wonder if the sequel will be called “Teller”?
SrTechWriter over 1 year ago
As a 7-YO child, I watched the April 22, 1952 detonation of the 6-test Snapper series Test Charlie. I was absolutely aghast that US service personnel were exposed to both the initial blast, and then about an hour later were marched into the detonation area. US paratroops jumped into the area about 90 minutes after the ground troops. Media personnel also were exposed. By then, I had studied reports in the press about the medical dangers of such exposures. I still do not understand where the brains in the heads of the Pentagon were, that they would issue orders to allow such exposures and contamination.
Yes, I DO understand the supposed military ‘need to evaluate the dangers’. I fully appreciate their immediate desire to figure out if troops could enter the area and remain combat-effective. However, that should have been done incrementally, not as it was – all in one ‘swell foop’. The Pentagon Brass were supremely over-confident and under-informed.
The Pentagon continued this folly for at least 3 more tests in this same series. One of those, Test George, gave off some 1,000 times as much energy as expected. Out of some 1,054 US tests, in that single event, Test George alone accounted for more than 7% (> 74) of the medically-excessive irradiation. We still have not determined exactly how many of the participant personnel later developed medical issues as a result of the US military’s gross lack of knowledge or understanding.
For months after seeing that on TV, I woke screaming from nightmares. It still gives me ‘cold robies’ just to think about it.
gary.eddings4157 Premium Member over 1 year ago
Ahm a’ gettin’ a headache over this one!