 Hiroshima was the primary target of the first nuclear bombing mission on 6 August , with Kokura and Nagasaki as alternative targets . Enola Gay , piloted by Tibbets , took off from North Field , in the Mariana Islands , about six hours ' flight time from Japan , accompanied by two other B @-@ 29s , The Great Artiste , carrying instrumentation , and a then @-@ nameless aircraft later called Necessary Evil , commanded by Captain George Marquardt , to take photographs . The director of the Manhattan Project , Major General Leslie R. Groves , Jr . , wanted the event recorded for posterity , so the takeoff was illuminated by floodlights . When he wanted to taxi , Tibbets leaned out the window to direct the bystanders out of the way . On request , he gave a friendly wave for the cameras . 
