Tuesday, March 11, 1958 showed Walter Gregg
and his family nothing unusual or memorable about it up to that point. The kids
had arrived home from school and like kids everywhere, they were playing outdoors.
The two Gregg girls, Helen, six and her sister Frances, nine were joined by their
nine-year-old cousin, Ella Davies, in the treehouse, located close to the garden
in the adjoining wooded area. In time the kids tired of the treehouse and returned
to play in the yard. Walter and his son, Walter Jr. were building benches in their
workshop next to the house. Effie, Walter’s wife was in the house. It was
just another quiet, peaceful afternoon in Mars Bluff, interrupted only by the
laughter and noisemaking of playing children. But, It wasn't 4:19 pm yet!
A
US Air Force B-47 bomber, assigned to the 308th Bombardment Wing at Hunter Air
Force Base in Savannah, thundered down the runway at 3:53 pm and lifted slowly
into the air. It was to have flown to the United Kingdom for a military operation
that was in effect in that area. It carried one nuclear bomb in its bomb bay.
It was not armed, but did contain its triggering device, which amounted to several
tons of high explosives. The core of fissionable uranium was stored in a separate
container onboard. In the event it was needed, a bomb would be armed in the airplane,
then dropped.
As the plane climbed, the pilot, Captain
Earl Koehler became immediately aware of a red warning
light that indicated a problem with the electric bomb-locking
device. This was a very serious warning light!
The navigator, Captain Bruce Kulka was
positioned in the nose of the aircraft. Realizing the
severity of the situation, he quickly removed his seat
belt and started making his way back to the bomb bay.
Upon his arrival, he found that a large pin, used to shackle
the big bomb was not installed. He quickly began trying
to drive it into place. Due to turbulence, he almost fell
and grabbed something to hold onto. In doing so, he saved
his life.
The
huge bomb, an MK-6, broke from the electric holding device; all its weight, 7,600
pounds, hit the bomb bay doors, forcing them open and it fell from the plane.
Captain
Kulka clung to the framework and fought the winds in an effort to stay alive.
Co-pilot
Charles Woodruff glanced down and noticed a shock wave on the ground, quite similar
to one that would have been created by a large explosion. Then it occurred to
him! He quickly released himself and went to the bomb bay to find the bomb missing
and Captain Kulka hanging on for his life! He set about getting the bomb bay doors
secured and Kulka out of the position he was in. It was 4:19 pm, 26 minutes into
the flight.
On the ground, the wooded area where
the children had been playing in the treehouse a few minutes earlier, became a
column of fire! Trees were torn into tiny fragments, which became wooden shrapnel.
The metal casing of the bomb sprayed the area. There was nothing left of the treehouse.
The children were knocked to the ground while being
pelted with various sized fragments from the explosion. Walter and Walter Jr.
received cuts and bruises. Effie, who was inside the house received similar injuries.
All three children received cuts and bruises.
The
Greggs' house was in shambles, sagging too badly to occupy. There was a huge crater
in the woods, estimated to have been 70 feet across and up to 30 feet deep.
There
was damage to buildings five miles away!
The Greggs
would spend the night at the home of their family doctor. Five months later, they
would receive compensation from the U.S. Air Force for their losses.
Today,
the crater is still there, though overgrown with vegetation. Signs are in place
noting the location.
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