Koa nuclear test at Eniwetok - photographers and cameramen, 5 December 1958 (photo)

After the end of World War II, the islands were part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. In addition, the United Nations decided that the use of areas of the Marshall Islands are no restrictions for the security needs of the USA. The islands were chosen by the United States as an area for testing nuclear weapons. Residents were evacuated before trials began. Particularly strong Eniwetok was drawn on 31 October 1952 in affected when the US there their first hydrogen bomb Ivy Mike with an explosive force of 10 megatons tested. Further 43 nuclear explosions followed, so that the islands were heavily radioactive. During the nuclear tests around 11,000 US technicians, scientists and military personnel were stationed on Eniwetok.