ICRC historical archives
The following document comes from the ICRC historical archives. The ICRC archives collect and preserve ICRC documents dating from the organization's inception to the present day, and make them available for research. The ICRC's historical archives, run by professional archivists and historians, comprise 6,700 linear metres of textual records and a collection of photographs, films and other audio archives.
The ICRC's public archives represent an essential historical source for surveying, studying and debating contemporary diplomatic history, particularly in the field of humanitarian operations and their impact on States, societies, cultures and armed conflicts or other situations of violence.
The public archives cover the history of the ICRC since its foundation in 1863 to 1975, and are available for consultation, by appointment. If you wish to consult the ICRC's historical archives in Geneva, you may schedule an appointment via email at archives@icrc.org.
On 29 August 1945, ICRC delegate Fritz Bilfinger arrived in Hiroshima and was the first outsider to witness the devastation wrought by the atomic bomb. The next day, he sent a telegram to the ICRC delegation in Tokyo describing the horrific conditions and calling for immediate relief action; this action was subsequently organized by Dr Marchel Junod, who had arrived in Japan as the ICRC's head of delegation on 9 August 1945. Dr Junod would later travel to Hiroshima to witness for himself the scale of the destruction there.
The following is Bilfinger's report (including annexes), dated 24 October 1945, detailing the effects of the atomic bomb in Hiroshima as he witnessed them three weeks after the bomb was dropped on 6 August 1945. It was confidential at the time of writing. It was made public in January 1996 and is being reproduced in full, with annexes, for the first time in the pages of the Review. The ICRC's public archives are available for consultation by the public, by appointment.
Archival source: ACICR, B G 008/76-X. Photos © Sarah Roxas/ICRC.
Appendix 1
Statement made by Mr Dazai, chief of the special high police (Tokkoka) of the Hiroshima prefectural office, on 29 August 1945, concerning the atomic bomb disaster.
Appendix 2
Clinical report of the hospital in Osaka prefecture on the effects of the atomic bomb.
Appendix 3
Copy of the telegram from ICRC delegate Fritz Bilfinger sent on 30 August 1945 describing the effects of the atomic bomb in Hiroshima.
Appendix 4
Memorandum from the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers to the Japanese Imperial Government detailing the interim medical relief to be provided by the allied powers, the distribution of which was ensured by the ICRC.
