26. A Desperate Need to Hit Back
The string of Japanese victories after Pearl Harbor made America seem helpless. Until December 7, 1941, the Japanese were seen as mediocrities who would never dare take on America, which would thrash them in short order if they dared to try. Yet, here they were, dishing blow after unanswered blow, and making the US look impotent. America’s leadership realized that it was vital to hit back – and be seen to hit back – and soon. It would take time before sufficient forces were gathered to take the offensive. Until then, however, couldn’t American airplanes at least bomb Japan?
On December 21st, 1941, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt told the Joint Chiefs of Staff that Japan should be bombed as soon as possible to boost public morale. The problem though was just how to accomplish that feat? The US Navy had bombers that could be launched from aircraft carriers, but their range was short. So carriers would have to come within about two hundred miles of Japan, which would put them within range of Japanese land-based bombers. The risk to America’s precious carriers was too high for what was ultimately a symbolic strike. The US Army Air Forces had long-range twin and four-engine bombers, but it had no airbases close enough for them to take off, bomb Japan, and return.