Extract from WOJG Kopralts Diary
1 Mar 54 — Mondays
a
.
Had a restful sleep, ear condition seemingly better, ‘At 0645L, the
western sky was brilliantly illuminated, almost requiring shading of the
eyes.
Illumination lasted for 55-60 seconds before it returned to normal,
The top of the mushroom cloud was seen,
came through, rattling the buildings,
About 11 minutes later the soumd
The time it took the sound to
reach here indicates the flash was about 136 miles awy,.
The radiologi-
cal “auto monitor" indicated its maximm reading at 1450L and stayed
there to midnight end of the day,
Hq WREP was notified at 1500L and first
answer was received at 2330L, ~ "Conditions beyond our control, no reply
expected before tomorrow",
Normal operating until midnight,
2 Mar 54 — Tuesdays
Auto Monitor at max from midnight.
Second message received at 0030L,
"Cease all operations immediately and all personnel remain inside metal
buildings until further notice, Maintain rotating shift radio commnications. with LIR for further instructions," At 0730L monitor still at mx
personnel had been exposed to «1 rn for 18 hours & Project total is 39
hours,
At 1000 received MSG that a PEM was enroute to LIR4, and due in at
1037L, Arrived at 1030L & landed at 11301 after cruising around, Capt
Chrestenson, rad-safe off ordered evacuation of all personnel after coming
ashore and taking readings in living area,
were taken off at 1250L,
§& men in alphabetical order
Same A/C returned at 1715L and removed the rest
of the detachment (20 men) took off at 1800L,
until removed from oper at 1700L/2nd Mar,
Monitor stayed at maximum