of enemy capabilities, both present and future, does not properly lie
within the scope of this report,
In order to provide some definite
conception of the devastating effects of atomic attack, it will be assumed,
solely for purposes of simplification, that a single atomic bomb is dropped
without warning on some densely populated industrial area in the nation,
Aerial Burst Probable.
In view of the numerous technical advantages
which may reasonably be expected to accrue, it is orobable that the bomb
used by a theoretical enemy would be detonated well above the earth's surface,
as was the case at both Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Casualty Estimates for Aerial Burst.
Detailed analysis of pertinent
data >rovides the following estimate of probably casualties resulting fron
this tyne of aerial detonation of a single atomic bomb:
Total Numbers of Fatal and Non-Fatal Casualties.
It is estimated
that human casualties of various types would total roughly 100,000,
including:
Fatal.
Approximately 40,000 in all, with 20,000 persons killed
outright and 20,000 additional dying within the first week
following detonation,
Non-Fatal,
Approximately 60,000 in all, with 20,000 serious
cases in the first week, plus 20,000 requiring extensive and
20,000 lesser degrees of medical treatment during the first
three weeks after detonation.
Generalized Types of Casualties,
The two general types of
injuries to be expected are:
Those Common to Ordinary Attack,
These would include
shock, burns from flash and flame and varied trauma
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TO® ARCHIV