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N0KFQ > TODAY 14.06.16 16:01l 51 Lines 2546 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 96681_N0KFQ
Read: GUEST
Subj: Today in History - Jun 14
Path: IW8PGT<IZ3LSV<I0OJJ<N6RME<N0KFQ
Sent: 160614/1343Z 96681@N0KFQ.#SWMO.MO.USA.NA BPQ1.4.65
1954
First nationwide civil defense drill held
Over 12 million Americans "die" in a mock nuclear attack, as the
United States goes through its first nationwide civil defense
drill. Though American officials were satisfied with the results
of the drill, the event stood as a stark reminder that the United
States_and the world_was now living under a nuclear shadow.
The June 1954 civil defense drill was organized and evaluated by
the Civil Defense Administration, and included operations in 54
cities in the United States, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands,
Alaska, and Hawaii. Canada also participated in the exercise. The
basic premise of the drill was that the United States was under
massive nuclear assault from both aircraft and submarines, and
that most major urban areas had been targeted. At 10 a.m., alarms
were sounded in selected cities, at which time all citizens were
supposed to get off the streets, seek shelter, and prepare for
the onslaught. Each citizen was supposed to know where the
closest fallout shelter was located; these included the basements
of government buildings and schools, underground subway tunnels,
and private shelters. Even President Dwight D. Eisenhower took
part in the show, heading to an underground bunker in Washington,
D.C. The entire drill lasted only about 10 minutes, at which time
an all-clear signal was broadcast and life returned to normal.
Civil Defense Administration officials estimated that New York
City would suffer the most in such an attack, losing over 2
million people. Other cities, including Washington, D.C., would
also endure massive loss of life. In all, it was estimated that
over 12 million Americans would die in an attack.
Despite those rather mind-numbing figures, government officials
pronounced themselves very pleased with the drill. Minor problems
in communication occurred, and one woman in New York City managed
to create a massive traffic jam by simply stopping her car in the
middle of the road, leaping out, and running for cover. In most
cities, however, the streets were deserted just moments after the
alarms sounded and there were no signs of panic or criminal
behavior. A more cautious assessment came from a retired military
officer, who observed that the recent development of the hydrogen
bomb by the Soviet Union had "outstripped the progress made in
our civil defense strides to defend against it."
73 - K.O., n0kfq
N0KFQ @ N0KFQ.#SWMO.MO.USA.NA
E-Mail: kohiggs@gmail.com
Message timed: 08:42 on Jun 14, 2016
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