A Witness to History: Marcel Junod on the First Atomic Bombs

"Warrior Without Weapons" by Dr. Marcel Junod (1904-1961) chronicles his experiences as a Red Cross delegate during World War II, offering profound insights into human suffering and resilience.

Junod skillfully captures the essence of wartime humanitarianism. In detailing his journeys across war-torn landscapes to provide aid to the wounded and sick, the Swiss doctor illustrates the complex challenges faced by healthcare workers amid destruction and chaos.

How? Well, it’s not so easy to provide neutral medical assistance in the middle of a war. That’s why Junod faced many ethical dilemmas. But his encounters with diverse cultures and the universal language of compassion highlight the need for humanity amid atrocities.

The narrative dives into the emotional toll of witnessing suffering, portraying the resilience and hope that endure amidst devastation. Junod's storytelling intertwines personal anecdotes with broader themes of peace, humanity, and the impact of conflict on civilians.

As newly appointed head of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Japan, Junod arrived in Tokyo on 9 August 1945: the day the US dropped a second atomic bomb (this time on Nagasaki). Having been out of the loop due to extensive travel, Junod was shocked.

Information was hard to come by. “Some said that there were possibly 100,000 dead; others retorted 50,000,” wrote Junod. “The bomb was said to have been dropped by parachute, the victims had been burnt to death by rays…”

Junod arrived at Hiroshima (the first bomb site) on 8 September, becoming the first foreign medic to do so. He spent five days visiting hospitals, overseeing supply distribution, and providing aid. His images of the damage were among the first to reach Europe.

In "Warrior Without Weapons", Junod wrote: “On what remained of the station facade, the hands of the clock had been stopped by the fire at 8.15. It was perhaps the first time in the history of humanity that the birth of a new era was recorded on the face of a clock.”

Junod describes the horrors faced by survivors (known as hibakusha) grappling with severe injuries, radiation sickness, and the trauma of losing loved ones. His compassionate approach depicts their resilience amid unimaginable suffering, painting a poignant portrait of endurance.

His chapter/essay "The First Atomic Bomb" leaves us with a valuable first-hand insight into the consequences of nuclear warfare – not just on the landscape or society, but the collective memory of a place – and why such destructive weapons should be avoided for the good of all.