The Doolittle raid on Japan 1942

[The Sailor]

One of the great raids of the Second World War took place on the morning of the 18th April 1942.

Lt Colonel Jimmy Doolittle led a raid by 16 planes on the Japanese island of Honshu. The raid was ordered by the President in retaliation for the attack on Pearl Harbor.

The 16 B-25 aircraft were transported to as near as possible to the Japanese coast by the aircraft carrier USS Hornet.

In the picture below, can be seen the first aircraft being launched.

Casualties during the raid included:
3 dead,
8 POWs (4 died in captivity);
5 interned in USSR
all 16 B-25s

[Batstiger]

Washington,D.C.,November 9th 2006---Surviving members of the Doolittle raiders paid tribute to the U.S. Navy and the USS Hornet (CV 8) during the wreath laying ceremony at the Navy Memorial.

[The Sailor]

Nice addition Bob. It's hard to imagine such men getting old.

[herakles]

A hasty decision to retaliate but quite understandable considering the anger felt at Pearl Harbour at the time.

OMG! How the Americans were duped by the Japs!