New York TV producer haunted by his experience filming victims of atomic bombs in Japan

By Doug Doyle

Published August 12, 2023 at 3:04 PM EDT

Herbert Sussan directed a military film crew in Japan in early 1946. He’s seen here as a young soldier in the Air Force. — **Herbert Sussan** directed a military film crew in Japan in early 1946. He’s seen here as a young soldier in the Air Force.

This week marked the 78^th anniversary of the atomic attacks on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. As many as 140,000 perished in Hiroshima and as many as 70,000 died in Nagasaki. An American military film crew documented the devastation several months later.

It was an experience that had a profound effect on New York Air Force soldier Herbert Sussan. Sussan directed the film crew. WBGO's Jon Kalish reports the filming also impacted Sussan's daughter Leslie who was born after the war.

Herbert Sussan directed a military film crew in Japan in early 1946. He’s seen here not long before his death in 1985. — **Herbert Sussan** directed a military film crew in Japan in early 1946. He’s seen here not long before his death in 1985.

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Doug Doyle

Doug Doyle has been News Director at WBGO since 1998 and has taken his department to new heights in coverage and recognition. Doug and his staff have received more than 250 awards from organizations like PRNDI (now PMJA), AP, New York Association of Black Journalists, Garden State Association of Black Journalists and the New Jersey Society of Professional Journalists.

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