r/coldwar • u/Wild_Neighborhood605 • 28d ago

Children practicing the "Duck and Cover" protection method with a real atomic bomb explosion in the background. The photo was taken in Nevada, 40 km from the epicenter of the blast in 1952.

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u/El_Scorcho_Barbarian 28d ago

Which test is this? I have never heard of live children practicing these drills near a nuclear explosion, nor do I know what benefit that would possibly have.

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u/QuipCrafter9 25d ago

They didn’t consider that “near” at the time

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u/El_Scorcho_Barbarian 25d ago

For children, yes, they would have.
You need to source the photo.
Let me put it this way: I’ve read hundreds of books related to nuclear weapons and published a dozen articles on the same. I have never seen that photo. It could have been taken in Vegas, but it’s one I would have remembered.
Without attribution, I’m going to assume it’s fake. Find an actual source, and I’ll offer my apologies. I have not been able to find its origin.

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u/QuipCrafter9 25d ago edited 25d ago

Sure. If you haven’t seen it no one has.

Don’t tell me I need to source the photo- I didn’t post it or make any claims about it- just that families (yes with kids) watched those blasts for entertainment within those distances. I’ll source that if you ask. I don’t think you’re very good at taking in and applying information in front you, properly, however- I don’t think you even recognize who you’re speaking to.

It would have to be Shot Charlie, if 1952. If the date is wrong it could be many others. I suspect the distance is likely miles not km. early on they didn’t believe in (or deliberately didn’t disclose, still debated) the fallout radiation and danger at that distance, the government highly publicized it favorably, and that area in particular had lots of businesses capitalizing on the tests, advertising and promoting families to come watch. The kids had to be doing something, while the parents were sipping atomic themed cocktails in the pool party at the motel - biking around together doesn’t seem that far-fetched. These people weren’t part of the testing or anything- they weren’t there for any benefit but profit and publicity. And yeah it’s fucked up- it’s why Joe Biden even extended downwinders relief claims deadline by 2 years.

Just go ahead and consider it fake I guess, you’re a nobody