7. The Doolittle Raid
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Imperial Japanese forces rapidly extended their reach across the Pacific, making them the dominant force in the region. To stop them, the US began to build an unstoppable military force. However, until it became operational, the American leaders were desperately in need of something that could boost their morale, and demonstrate to their enemies and allies alike that the US is striking back.
A plan to raid Tokyo was launched and a group of sixteen men, who were secretly trained for the bombers volunteered to take this extraordinary and technically challenging mission. An excellent and highly experienced pilot, Lt. Colonel James H. Doolittle was appointed as the mission commander. In fact, it was Doolittle who selected the twin-engined B-25B Mitchell. 16 bombers to participate in the mission.
While the take-off was scheduled for April 19 in the afternoon, the mission commenced earlier than expected (On April 18, 1942). The task force was detected by a Japanese patrol boat at dawn but was quickly sank by one of the cruisers. The detection caused panic as the carriers were still over 600 nautical miles from Japan, and fuel was already a problem. Also, Admiral Halsey, who was the Commander of the Task Force 16, knew that the group might be attacked by Japanese carrier aircraft. He then ordered Doolittle’s raiders to take off immediately. The mission which went on as planned stunned Tokyo, leaving the heads of the Japanese Air Force and Navy accusing each other and the commander of Tokyo’s air defense of committing suicide.