Doolittle Raid

The Doolittle Raid was a bomber raid launched on the Japanese mainland on April 18, 1942. The raid — largely a propaganda and morale-building exercise — was planned and led by then Lieutenant Colonel James Harold Doolittle. The raid was made possible by a technical observation of Captain Francis Low that twin-engined bombers could be launched from an aircraft carrier. Subsequent tests appeared to prove that a B-25 Mitchell could be launched with a reasonable bomb load, hit targets in Japan and then fly on to land in China.

Pictures

Ships and airplanes

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  Apr. 18, :en:1942 - Army Lieut. Col. Doolittle, taking off from :en:USS Hornet (CV 8), bombed Tokyo.
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  US Aircraft Carrier USS Hornet (CV-8)
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  US Aircraft Carrier USS Hornet (CV-8) during Doolittle Raid
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  B-25 prior to start on USS Hornet for Doolittle raid
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  Take off from the deck of the USS HORNET of an Army B-25 on its way to take part in first U.S. air raid on Japan. Doolittle Raid, April 1942
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  B-25 on the flight deck of USS Hornet

The Raid

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  Japanese fishing boat which was sunk by Major General Doolittles raiders while enroute to Tokyo for the raid on April 18, 1942
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  Major General James Doolittle’s raid on Tokyo. Flying over Yokosuka Naval Base. Photo taken from B-25, April 18, 1942

The Raiders in China

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  Wreckage of Major General James Doolittle’s plane in China after the raid on Tokyo
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  Chinese carry Doolittle's raiders to safety
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  Doolittle’s men require air raid shelter too. Major General James Doolittle’s Tokyo raiders are grouped outside this shelter carved from the mountainside. They lived here for 10 days after assembling from their Chinese mountain retreats. Japanese planes raided nearby villages frequently
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  Major General Doolittle, his Tokyo bombing crew and some Chinese friends are pictured in China after the US Airmen bailed out following the Doolittle led air raid on Japan

People

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  James Harold Doolittle wires Japanese (peace) medals to a bomb.
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  Crew #5 - (Plane #40-2283, target Tokyo) - Captain David M. Jones, pilot
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  DAYTON, Ohio (10/27/2009) -- Former astronaut Neil Armstrong (left) speaks with Doolittle Raider Tom Griffin before the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award presentation at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)
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  Crew 6 - Plane 40-2298 "The Green Hornet" - 95th Bomb Squadron. Left to right: Lt. Chase J. Nielsen (navigator) Lt. Dean E. Hallmark (pilot) Sgt. Donald E. Fitzmaurice (engineer-gunner) Lt. Robert J. Meder (co-pilot) S/Sgt. William J. Dieter (bombardier)

Memorial

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  Display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force depicting the Doolittle Raid
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  Glass case holding silver goblets still used by members of of the Doolittle Raid, displayed at the National Museum of the United States Air Force.
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  One of the goblets being removed during the 65th annual ceremony. There are 80 goblets representing all 80 Doolittle Raiders. When a Raider dies, his goblet is turned over in the case.