CHAPTER IV, SECTION 1
HOUSING
At site Elmer, on Eniwetok Atoll, men were
housed in aluminum barracks and tents, and at
all other camps standard Army tents, with outer
flies, were used. During the operational phase,
blocks of housing were designated for various
Task Groups’ use. The assignment of. quarters
to vach particular individual was made by the
Camp Supervisor for all HEN employees and
by a de=gnated Tack Group authority for
all others. There were no unusual crowded
conditions during this operation except after
Bravo, as described below. All quarters were
provided with cumfortable beds, tables, camp
chairs and aluminum hot lockers. Figure 4-13
shows a room in the permanent type barracks at Elmer. Figure 4-14 shows a_ typical
S-man tent. Linens were changed weekly and
janitorial service for barracks and latrines was
provided daily; every effert was made to
provide picasant living conditions. Where practicable, each individual was given a choice of
roommates.
Tn an operation of this type there is a considerable number of personnel with duties at

18-man
36-man
3-man
4-man

Bunks

barracks
barracks
tents
tents

“HEN emplovees only

Elmer

Fred*

17
15
56
50

—
—
~
—

203

100

Ursula
—
—
3
65

272

With the completion of the Bravo event,
a readjustment of personnel at Bikini became
necessary; accordingly, the USNS Ainsworth,
the USS Estes, and the USS Bairoko were sent
to Eniwetok. On Bravo - 2 all Task Groups 7.5
and 7.1 personnel on these vessels were disFar
embarked and landed on Elmer.
ror cavers]
coeveral
days, there were more men stationed at this

more than one camp, which results in retention
by individuals of accommodations at more than
one location. Population figures do not truly
refiect the number of transicnts moving in and
out of the various camps. This was especially
true during periods of peak population or when

sudden

shifts of construction

crews occurred.

Frequent revaluation of the needs of each Task
Group was required. This was particularly so
with Task Groups 7.5 and 7.1, and it became
necessary to change the block assignments in
order to avoid crowding within each group
assigned housing. The net result of all the foregoing was the need for providing more housing
units than population figures indicated. On 13
February 1954 the total land-based population
at Bikini Atoll was 1,463, which was the peak
for this operation. At this time there was no
apparent excess of housing units even though
there were 1,735 beds and 759 lockers set up at
the Atoll.
Authorized housing units were constructed
only as the need for them became evident. The
peak of housing facilities provided was reached
in February 1954 and was as follows:

Tare

Charlie

10

29

43

21

314

230

—

1003

Fox

18

Nan

Able

How

14

—

_

205

30

12

25

4

2

camp than could normally be Gerined tnere,
and emergency billets were required to accommodate them.
This situation was relieved by the subse-

quent return of the shins to Bikini lagoon. and
by surplussing and departure of personnel.

Shipping and Receiving Warehouse
Day Room
Recreation Building
Gymnasium
3 - Beach Clubs
Building 206 Annex
37 - 3-man tents
16 - Aluminum barracks

Pid bd dd

Emergencybillets were provided by arranging berthing spaces in various buildings as follows:
96
59
60
20

mattresses
cots and mattresses
mattresses
cots and mattresses

75 cots and mattresses
12 cots and mattresses
148 mattresses (4 each)

192 mattresses (12 each)

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