Doolittle Raid

The daylight raid on Tokyo, led by Lt Col James H. Doolittle on Sunday 18 April 1942, has rightfully entered the history books as one of the most daring and courageous operations of WWII. On that day, in mid ocean, Doolittle launched his B-25 Mitchell bomber from the heaving, spray-soaked flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Horney, a deck too short to land on, and flew on to bomb Tokyo. The Crews knew that due to the distances involved they would not have enough fuel to return to the Hornet, for this was a feat never before attempted, and for every crew member the mission was a one-way ticket. Yet, under the leadership of Jimmy Doolittle, they all dared to survive.

The mission for the 16 bombers was to hit industrial targets in Tokyo and surrounding areas, to slow production of strategic war material, then fly on to land in the part of south-west China that was still in the hands of friendly Nationalist forces. All being well, the mission would be so unexpected it would plant the first seeds of doubt into enemy minds.
It worked – the Japanese were forced to quickly divert hundreds of aircraft, men and equipment away from offensive operations to the defense of their homeland.

There was, however, another reason behind the Doolittle’s raid – to lift the morale of an American public devastated by the attack on Pearl Harbor four months earlier. And the success of the mission provided the boost that was needed. If any had doubted America’s resolve in the face of uncertainty, the courage, determination and heroism displayed by Lt Col Doolittle and his band of aviators restored their determination. Although it might take years, and the price would be high, America and her allies understood that the fight could, and would, be won.