Pearls and Irritations

On 6 Aug, 1945, approximately 200,000 people in the hitherto untouched town of Hiroshima perished in the worlds first use of a nuclear weapon in anger. On 9^th Aug, a somewhat smaller number in Nagasaki likewise perished. Only the authority of secretary of state Stimson, who had visited the city of Kyoto, famous for its ancient temples, prevented that city from being bombed, and from further use of nuclear weapons.

The bomb that demolished Hiroshima and caused the death of approximately half its population was a 15Kt ‘gun-barrel’ design, in which a slug of uranium was fired into a larger piece of uranium, causing both pieces to go ‘prompt critical’. The design was deemed so simple and dependable it hadn’t even been tested.

The Nagasaki bomb was a larger and more efficient ‘implosion’ design, similar to the device tested at Trinity. However, Nagasaki was a smaller city than Hiroshima, and the bomb went off-target when it was dropped resulting in a smaller number of casualties.

Both bombs would now be considered as at the small end of ‘tactical’ nuclear weapons, with most nuclear weapons these days being of a thermonuclear design (i.e., fusion, using a fission device the size of the Hiroshima weapon as a ‘trigger’), and a typical strategic weapon would be in the range of 300-700Kt, with some weapons as large as 1000Kt. In the past, multi-megaton warheads have been more common. The largest weapon even exploded was the USSR’s ‘Tsar Bomba’ (King of Bombs), at 50,000Kt or 50Mt.

What must be remembered however, is that while warheads have become gigantic and then decreased somewhat in size, and that while nuclear stockpiles have also been gigantic to the point of insanity, and then also declined by roughly a factor of 10, we have never been so close, for so long, to nuclear weapons use as during the last 12-24 months.

The Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 lasted a mere 13 days, in which some particular days saw the risk spike dramatically as there were mini-crises within the crisis.

The September 26 1983 event in which Russian computers said the US had launched and in which Colonel Stan Petrov guessed they had not, lasted a mere half hour – though half an hour in which Petrov aged visibly.

An event in the US in 1974 in which a relatively lowly officer inadvertently sent the ‘go’ codes to the entire US arsenal likewise lasted for minutes, though it permanently traumatised many of those involved. 1979 and 1981 incidents in which computers indicated a full-scale Soviet attack likewise lasted hair-raising minutes.

In none of these incidents were explicit or implicit nuclear threats made. No one on either side threatened ‘consequences you have never seen in your history’.

Indeed both sides were overwhelmingly keen to end the crisis and for absolutely nothing to happen, and made that clear.

However, nuclear threats, and threats of nuclear weapons use, or not so subtly veiled threats of nuclear weapons use, are now a regular occurrence. True, the arsenals are significantly smaller now, but the use of ‘nuclear blackmail’ has become a regular occurrence.

Its not surprising that the Doomsday Clock is now at 90 seconds to ‘midnight’ (the end of civilisation), closer than it has ever been, including at the height of the cold war.

The danger of a miscalculation (or a deliberate decision, insane though that would be) taking us to the launch of thousands of warheads all much much larger than Hiroshima and Nagasaki, with the consequences of the immediate death of over a 1-2 billion in burning cities (including in Australia), and over half of those humans who remain in the the freezing nuclear twilight that would follow (largely in non-combatant countries), and the end for at least centuries of what we call ‘civilisation’.

The recent Nuclear Nonproliferation treaty Preparatory Committee at the UN in Geneva ended not unexpectedly, in no agreement. However, some NGOs were somewhat gratified to see that the draft chairs summary did include language we had pressed for including the reiteration of language in the G7 and G20 meetings that ‘the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is inadmissible’, and that ‘nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought’, as well as a stress on nuclear risk reduction measures of all kinds. This is a small glimmer of light in an otherwise gloomy picture.

Hiroshima Day will be commemorated/has been commemorated by a large number of events within Australia, listed below.

John Hallam

Nuclear weapons campaigner, People for Nuclear Disarmament, Human Survival Project, Co-Convenor, Abolition 2000 Working Group on Nuclear Risk Reduction, Member, Global No First Use Steering Committee.

Events in Australia marking Hiroshima Day, as compiled by ICAN below:

The 79th anniversaries of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are coming up on Tuesday 6 and Friday 9 August, 2024. Right now, multiple adverse global trends are creating the greatest risk of nuclear war since at least the 1980s. Speedily joining the global Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) is the best contribution Australia could make towards reining in these nuclear dangers.

As A/Prof Tilman Ruff AO, Melissa Parke, and Gem Romuld wrote in ‘Luck Is Not a Strategy: It’s Time to Prohibit Nuclear Weapons‘ (2024): “For as long as we remain outside the treaty, promoting a role for nuclear weapons threats in our defence policies, we are contributing to the problem.”

It is pivotal that the people continue to demand signature and ratification of the TPNW. Labor has promised this since 2018. If Australia is serious about nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, nothing less will do.

We look forward to seeing you out there!

Jesse Boylan

ICAN Australia
Sydney NSW

Rally: Hiroshima/Nagasaki Never Again

Saturday 3 August at 1pm

Sydney Town Hall Square to Defence Dept

Hosted by Sydney Hiroshima Day Committee.

 

Sydney NSW

Singing for Peace

Sunday 4 August at 4:00 – 8:00 pm

Gaelic Club, 1/64 Devonshire St Surry Hills (near central Station)

Book here.

Various performers.

 

Sydney NSW

Public Meeting: Peace and AUKUS Don’t Mix

Tuesday 6 August at 6:30 – 8:30 pm

Teachers Federation Auditorium, 37 Reservoir St, Surry Hills (near central Station), 6.30—8.30pm

Speakers: Dr Sue Wareham (Medical Association for the Prevention of War)

Daryl Le Cornu (International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, Australia)

Prof. Wanning Sun (Media and Communications Studies, UTS)

Paul Keating (Secretary, Sydney Branch Maritime Union of Australia)

Chair: Dr Michael Walker (Social Justice Facilitator, Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney, and IPAN).

Organised by Mobilise Against AUKUS and War (MAAW).

 

Sydney NSW

Sydney Remembers – Hiroshima and Nagasaki 1963 – 2023 – An Exhibition ‘Hiroshima Candlelight Procession’

Thursday 8 August at 5:00 pm

Atrium of Trades Hall, 377 Sussex Street, Sydney.

Organised by Hiroshima Committee Sydney

Contact: hiroshimacommitteesydney@gmail.com

 

Newcastle NSW

Hunter Hiroshima Day Rally

Sunday 04 August, 11:00am

Tighes Hill Peace Park, Maitland Rd, Islington NSW
Remembering and commemorating the victims and survivors of the 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Organised by Hunter Peace Group, Newcastle People’s Chorus.

 

Naarm Melbourne VIC

Hiroshima-Nagasaki Vigil

Friday August 9, 5:00 – 6:00 pm

St Pauls Cathedral – opposite Flinders Street Station, Naarm/Melbourne.

Light a candle to commemorate the 79th anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Organised by Friends of the Earth Melbourne.

 

Castlemaine VIC

Hiroshima-Nagasaki Vigil

Tuesday 6 August, 8:05 am

Meet at the steps of the Market Building (Information Centre) in Mostyn Street. A warm welcome is extended to all interested people for this informal and respectful remembrance of the catastrophic detonation of nuclear bombs over Hiroshima and Nagasaki cities in Japan, at the end of World War 2 in 1945. Bring your thoughts and stories, songs, poems, prayers, art work, flowers, candles (in jars), incense, photos, banners or placards. We welcome, encourage and value creative, positive input from all participants.

 

Castlemaine VIC

Hiroshima-Nagasaki Bike Ride

Saturday 10 August, 10:50 am

Meet at the steps of the Market Building (Information Centre) in Mostyn Street for a bike ride so as to get an idea of how big an area of these cities was totally destroyed. The scenic circuit is about seven kilometres long and takes an hour or so, with one steep climb. Assistance up this incline will be available for those who find it tricky. Suits gravel or mountain bikes.

Both events will conclude with morning tea and a chat at a local cafe. For enquiries about the local Hiroshima and Nagasaki Days’ activities, please phone or text Margie on 046612090.

 

Alice Springs, NT

Hiroshima and Nagasaki Remembrance: 5th Yami Lester Memorial Address

Saturday 10 August at 12:00pm – 3:30pm

The Roastery, 10 Hele Crescent, Mparntwe/Alice Springs.

$15 per person ($10 Concession) and Lunch available by donation
Contact Details: Jonathan Pilbrow (Convener, Alice Springs Peace Action Think Tank (ASPATT))
Family friendly event with Arrernte healing ceremony, music, stories, crane making, children’s activities and guest speaker Sue Haseldine.

 

Adelaide SA

Hiroshima Day Peace Commemoration

Tuesday 6 August, 8 – 8:20 am

Peace Park, Sir Edwin Smith Ave, opposite Memorial Hospital, Adelaide.

This year our commemoration will feature:

special guest speaker Adelaide City Council Deputy Lord Mayor, Keiran Snape

music by violinist Amanda Ruler, Medical Association for Prevention of War National Vice President.
Organised by the Graham F Smith Peace Foundation with the Romero Community in association with the Medical Association for the Prevention of War SA and the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom. “Let there be peace and may it begin with me.” 

 

Meanjin Brisbane QLD

Brisbane Hiroshima Day 2024 public meeting

Tuesday 6 August at 5 pm for a 5:30 pm start

Qld Nurses and Midwives’ Union building, 106 Victoria St, West End QLD. Speakers include Arthur Rorris – South Coast Labor Council Secretary campaigning against East Coast nuclear submarine base.
Elliot D’arcy – Labor Against War
Clare Silcock – Qld Conservation Council’s energy strategists campaigner Janet Baillie – Qld Nurses and Midwives’ Union, Health impacts of nuclear war Andrew Irvine- Electrical Trade Union, long time anti-uranium and nuclear free campaigners
Combined Unions Choir to open the forum. Light refreshments will be available. *Organised by No AUKUS Queensland. For more information call Annette on 0431 597 256. Say No to Nuclear!

 

Perth WA

Hiroshima – Nagasaki: Never again

Tuesday 6 August, 5:30 pm 

Cnr Hay & William Streets, Perth WA.
Join us for a vigil commemorating the devastating consequences of the nuclear weapons detonated by the US at Hiroshima and then Nagasaki. Be part of the important call for Australia to sign and ratify the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
Hosted by Stop AUKUS – WA, Nuclear Free WA, Independent and Peaceful Australia Network, Medical Association for the Prevention of War.

 

NATIONAL – Online

Webinar

Wednesday 7 August at 8:00pm AEST

Webinar #1: The Greens’ commitment to peace with Bob Brown and Jo Vallentine.

Part of the Webinar Series: The Missing Peace: Talking About Nonviolence, a program of work on peace, nonviolence and demilitarisation. And to begin this important conversation, we are delighted to have two of the founders and elder states-people of The Australian Greens, Jo Vallentine and Bob Brown, coming together to discuss why peace, nonviolence and demilitarisation were core to the Greens’ founding ideology, how this has played out over 40 years, and why it is as crucial as ever in the 2020s.

Register here. 

$8-20

Organised by the Green Institute.

Events in Australia on Hiroshima Day, as compiled by ICAN AUSTRALIA

 

For more on this topic Pearls & Irritations recommends:

The Impact of Nuclear Weapons on Children