Bidspirit auction | (HIROSHIMA AND NAGASAKI) 509TH COMPOSITE

(HIROSHIMA AND NAGASAKI) 509TH COMPOSITE GROUP SERVICE BOOK, SIGNED BY 'DUTCH' VAN KIRK - Souvenir service book given to members of the famous 509th Composite Air Group, a unit of the Army Air Forces created during World War II and tasked with the operational deployment of nuclear weapons. It conducted the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, in August 1945. The group was headed by Gen. Paul Tibbets, pilot of the B-29 Enola Gay which delivered the atomic bomb to Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. The title page bears the signature of THEODORE 'DUTCH' VAN KIRK (1921-2014) in blue ink, with the inscription 'Navigator - Enola Gay Hiroshima - 6 Aug. 1945'. Two additional 509th navigators also add their signatures and the names of their aircraft, 'Top Secret' and 'Up an' Atom'. The descriptive text is heavily illustrated with photos and illustrations, including facilities on Tinian, fliers at work and play, features on the destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki ('Atomic Blitz'), photos of all air crews, including Enola Gay and Bocks Car (one photo removed), headquarters staff, ground and ordnance crews, etc. In very good condition overall. Rare.