Retaliation for the Doolittle Raid. 1942
In 1942, in a mission which was largely undertaken as a boost to American morale following Pearl Harbor, Army bombers took off from a Navy carrier to strike the Japanese mainland. The bombers were incapable of landing on the carrier, USS Hornet, and it was planned that the pilots fly on to Chinese-held territory, where they could expect the assistance of Chinese troops to help them return to Allied territory. In the event, the Hornet was sighted by the Japanese while still well short of the planned launch point. Forced to take off earlier than planned, most of the planes were unable to reach territory held by the Chinese and almost landed in areas where the Japanese Army was active.
Chinese civilians and European missionaries nonetheless rose to the assistance of the Doolittle Raiders, providing medical care, food, and guides for the Americans to reach safe territory. Many of the Americans bestowed gifts on the Chinese, including candy, gum, cigarettes, lighters, and other items which were clearly of American manufacture. These items became death sentences in the face of the Japanese retaliation against anyone suspected of helping the Raiders.
Doolittle had hoped to reach the region of Chuchow in China, and when the Japanese learned of this planned destination they attacked it with a vengeance, despite none of the Raiders having been able to land there. The Japanese launched air raids against the city – which had no military garrison or value – killing more than 10,000 civilians as retaliation for Doolittle’s attack.
Coastal areas where many of the fliers had landed were attacked by the Japanese Army and Naval Infantry, where anybody suspected of having any contact with the Americans, or for failing to report the presence of Americans, was indiscriminately slaughtered.
Unit 731 prepared typhoid-infected bread rolls which were provided to temporarily hold Chinese prisoners. Once symptoms presented they were released to return home and spread the disease. Japanese retaliations were witnessed by neutral missionaries and reported to the US government and press, but were soon forgotten as the war unfolded.