Beginning in the late 1940s and lasting throughout the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union engaged in a contentious arms race. During this time, both countries routinely conducted weapons tests, which occasionally resulted in serious mishaps. One of the most prominent incidents occurred at Mars Bluff, South Carolina, in 1958, and evolved into a highly dangerous situation.
The United States continued developing bombs after World War II
The Second World War was a horrific struggle. The United States brought it to an end in the summer of 1945 by launching the atomic bombs Little Boy and Fat Man on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Nonetheless, the country continued to push its creation of newer, more powerful nuclear weapons.
Development of the Mk 6 nuclear bomb
The Mk 6 nuclear bomb, an enhanced variant of the weapon unleashed on Nagasaki during World War II, was modified many times between 1951 and 1955 before remaining in service until 1962. Over this time, over 1,000 units were produced, each capable of delivering a varied nuclear yield.
The US Air Force included the Mk 6 in training exercises as part of its preparations for a possible battle with the USSR. As a result, several accidental discharges occurred during the 1950s, which were frequently referred to in military language as “broken arrows.”
A Mk 6 nuclear bomb is dropped on Mars Bluff, South Carolina
On March 11, 1958, a Boeing B-47 Stratojet lifted off from Hunter Army Airfield in Georgia, carrying a crew from the 375th Bombardment Squadron of the 308th Bombardment Wing.
The strategic bomber was on its way to the United Kingdom, with plans to continue to North Africa for Operation Snow Flurry, where the crew was scheduled to perform simulated bomb drops. Despite being only a drill, the timed aspect of the exercise put significant strain on the B-47 crew.
Prior to takeoff, the crew had trouble securing their Mk 6 nuclear bomb in the bomb compartment, struggling to get it in the proper position. They used a sling to pound the steel locking pin into position. However, following takeoff, the mechanism released as predicted, but failed to lock back in place after the aircraft was airborne.
Captain Bruce Kulka, the navigator and bombardier, was told of the issue. While surveying the location, he accidently activated the emergency release pin, allowing the bomb to fall from a height of 15,000 to 20,000 feet. Kulka nearly escaped falling out of the open bomb bay by grabbing hold of something and dragging himself to safety.
The Mk 6 bomb hit a playhouse Bill Gregg had built for his children, who were playing around 200 feet away at the time. The explosion destroyed the playhouse and left a 70-foot-wide hole. Gregg, his wife, and their children were all hurt, while seven surrounding structures were damaged.
Reaction to the Mars Bluff Incident
Surprisingly, none of those affected by the detonation were seriously injured since the Mk 6 bomb’s explosive nuclear core was housed in a different portion of the B-47 aircraft. The explosion was limited to the TNT contained within the bomb. If a full-scale nuclear detonation had occurred, the consequences would have been catastrophic.
Military authorities came on the area shortly after the event. The Gregg family, who had lost everything in the explosion, sued the Air Force and received $54,000 in compensation. Despite their difficulties, Bill Gregg remained optimistic, later telling the local newspaper, “I’ve always wanted a swimming pool, and now I’ve got a hole for one at no cost.”
Legacy of the Mars Bluff Incident
The near-disaster became known as the “Mars Buff Incident,” which attracted local and international attention. It also contributed to a shift in the way the Air Force conducted future training exercises, especially since such incidents were more common than the service would have liked to admit. Shortly after, the branch stopped carrying nuclear bombs on training missions.