Christmas Island was the site of nuclear tests to see the power of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) like an H-Bomb and its effects on the local environment and a reminder to the then USSR.
The British who conducted this trial did not pay the price compared to those affected by the radioactivity afterward. It has been a fear that any conflict could end up with the use of nukes; in Ukraine, it has moved the world closer to that.
UK, US Nuclear Testing
A shocking development that a telegram channel leaked was that Vladimir Putin ordered a nuclear evacuation drill. Revealed by ex-Kremlin intelligence insider close to the Russian leader, reported the Express UK.
Only two atomic bombs were dropped; they were done by the US in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in War 2. Several nations participated in such tests as the United Kingdom in 1957 and 1958 in Operation Grapple.
There were nine tests in dual locations, like Malden Island and Kiritimati (Christmas Island) in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands. Other than Britain's Operation Grapple, the US did a test for Operation Dominic in 1962, exploding weapons of mass destruction. A total of 24 were detonated close to Kiritimati.
Tests Held in Uninhabited Pacific Islands
Many of these South Pacific islands were inhabited by officers who ignored it and called it a wilderness, It was either relocation from the islands or staying in a place exposed to radiation.
On May 20, 1953, a discussion by the Defence Research Policy Committee was about troops subject to the blast. The Army wanted to know how nukes affected the troops and equipment, with no protection.
In 1955, Prime Minister Anthony Eden was told the H-bomb is dangerous to human DNA but still went ahead with tests. A letter for the PM Eden on November 14 said the letter was read about the genetic repercussions of exposure to nukes from a report by Sir Harold Himsworth. He said nothing could be done.
Air Commodore Denis Wilson, a senior medical official, said that the soldier would die from exposure. This was in the draft report before the Grapple Y third set of tests cited The Stars Post.
He added there would be consequences to the nuclear detonations and more.
Pacific Islanders Sufferings
A resident of the islands had to suffer from radiation-borne maladies for the long term in their homes. One resident Teeua Tetua born during that time told Just Security in 2018 about her horrific experiences.
Many were in the village tennis courts during nighttime, and eye protection was given to some but not to all of them. They got blankets and eye protection, ironically.
Waited until given the signal to hunker down and cover up with the blankets and glasses; people got blinded. The blast was so loud, and glass was broken in houses. Tetua heads a group that identifies the US and UK as the cause of their radiation-caused sickness.
The people of Christmas Island were forced to witness the power of weapons of mass destruction and suffer from it; the world has forgotten these events that the Allies did to face off with then-Soviet Bloc.
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