The manuscript flight log of Robert A Lewis, co-pilot of the Enola Gay, is to auction at Bonhams New York on April 29.
The Enola Gay was the plane used to drop the atom bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.
Valued at $150,000-200,000, the lot is expected to provide one of the highlights of a sale of memorabilia connected to the second world war.
 The dropping of the atom bomb on Japan effectively ended the war |
At the beginning of the book he writes: "This book covers time from primary flying up to and including start of B-29 test work at Eglin Field. Proving grounds."
He covers in detail the run-up to the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings, including both training and combat missions.
He was made co-pilot alongside Commander Paul Tibbets, a fact that riled him somewhat given his wealth of experience.
He wrote a number of amendments after the war, including the entry: "36 flights in Enola Gay #(6292). Tibbets was on 2 Flights."
On August 6, 1945 he writes: "No#1 Atomic bomb a huge success 8900 lbs hit center of city."
A 48 star US flag flown on Omaha Beach during the D-Day landings is likely to prove another highlight, with a valuation of $50,000-80,000.
The lot was flown from landing craft LCI 510 on June 6, 1944 and was later taken home by Lieutenant Leys - one of the oldest surviving veterans of the second world war.
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