Nevada Test Site, USA on November 1, 1951. SPL / mediadrumworld.com

By Mark McConville

INCREDIBLE images and video footage of soldiers watching on as an atomic bomb explodes in the distance has resurfaced this week.

The thrilling footage shows soldiers crouched on the ground in the desert before the screen flashes completely white.

When the picture comes back in focus a huge mushroom cloud can be seen billowing into the air in the distance.

Nevada Test Site, USA on November 1, 1951. SPL / mediadrumworld.com

 

The clip was filmed at the Nevada Test Site, USA on November 1, 1951 as an atomic explosion, code-named Dog, went off.

This explosion had a yield of 20 kilotons and was part of the Buster-Jangle series of tests.

Operation Buster–Jangle was a series of seven (six atmospheric, one cratering) nuclear weapons tests conducted by the United States in late 1951 at the Nevada Test Site.

Nevada Test Site, USA on November 1, 1951. SPL / mediadrumworld.com

 

Buster-Jangle was the first joint test program between the DOD (Operation Buster) and Los Alamos National Laboratories (Operation Jangle).

As part of Operation Buster, 6,500 troops were involved in the Operation Desert Rock I, II, and III exercises in conjunction with the tests.

Desert Rock was the code name of a series of exercises conducted by the US military in conjunction with atmospheric nuclear tests.

Their purpose was to train troops and gain knowledge of military manoeuvres and operations on the nuclear battlefield. They included observer programs, tactical manoeuvres, and damage effects tests.

Nevada Test Site, USA on November 1, 1951. SPL / mediadrumworld.com

 

Personnel were instructed to create foxholes, construct gun emplacements and bunkers in a defensive position seven miles south of the detonation area.

After the nuclear bomb was detonated, the troops were ordered to move forward towards the affected area.

While travelling closer to ground zero, troops witnessed the nuclear weapon’s effects on the fortifications that were placed in the location in preparation for the tests.

The ground troops got as close as half a mile from ground zero before they were instructed to move out of the area.

The Human Resources Research Office was tasked with gathering data on the psychological experiences of the troops after witnessing such a detonation and moving closer towards the affected area.