Doolittle flight :: Archived

[lazyeight]

April 18 was the date for the Doolittle flight over Tokyo.

Can we fire up the B-25's and try another 11 hour flight?

[Uhu_Fledermaus]

We'll need to do some dusting off and search around for all the stuff, but it should be feasable.

Thing is that the flight has to be set to a saturday start so we can use the weekend.

Max number of participants is limited to 16 flying a B-25,
so if there are people who want to enlist

others may join as observers, press group or even a filmcrew

last time we did it from take off from the Carrier till landing in China, we where airborne for 11 hours NON STOP !!

So do not think lightly of it, only people who want to participate for the WHOLE flight enlist by posting here

Specially adapted B-25's are available with their individual markings

I'll tinker up an "EZ-install" for all the "equipment" wich should include all needed items

I gather lazyeight would like to join in for the fun

myself, I would like to fly the 40-2242 as I used that in the previous flight as well

So that makes two allready


Airplane No. AC 40-2344 -- Took off at 8:20 a.m. ship time, Pilot Lt. Col. J.H. Doolittle 0-271855, Co-Pilot Lt. R.E. Cole 0-421602, Navigator Lt. H.A. Potter 0-419614, Bombardier S/Sgt. F.A. Braemer 6875923, Engineer-Gunner S/Sgt. P.J. Leonard 6248728, Proceeded to Tokyo and bombed the North Central industrial area with 4 incendiary clusters. Proceeded on to the China Coast where very unfavorable weather made it necessary for crew to abandon ship. Put plane on A.S.F.C.E. and turned off gasoline valves. Pilot jumped last at 0:20 p.m. ship time, from 8,000 feet and landed near Tien Mu Shen, about 70 miles north of Chuchow. After landing contacted General Ho, Director of the Western Branch of Chekiang Province who agreed to take the necessary steps to collect missing crew members, locate the ship and establish a look-out for other planes in China, on the stretch of beach between Hung Chow Bay and Wen Chow Bay and by the sampans and junks that might be putting out to sea. All crew members o.k.

Airplane No. AC 40-2292 -- Took off at 8:25 a.m. ship time, Pilot Lt. T. Hoover 0-393133, Co-pilot Lt. Wm. N. Fitzhugh 0-421067, Navigator Lt. Carl N. Wildner 0-352857, Bombardier Lt. Richard E. Miller 0-432337, Engineer-Gunner S/Sgt. Douglas V. Radney 6266909, This is the only airplane that experienced any difficulty in taking off. The sea was so rough that water was being taken on over the bow of the carrier, and the take-off was made on the upbeat. The airplane was thrown into the air and the pilot pulled back on the stick too abruptly. For a moment it looked as though the plane might fall off on a wing but through good piloting Lt. Hoover was able to correct the condition and proceed without further difficulty. This together with the Navy crew member who was struck in the arm by a propeller while assisting in maneuvering an airplane on the deck, was the only eventuality during take-off. Both were due to the rough sea. (After this take-off Lt. Miller recommended a more normal take off to the other pilots.) Proceeded to Tokyo and bombed powder factories and magazines near the river north of the main railroad station and Imperial Palace with 3 demolition bombs and one incendiary cluster. This bombing was done from 900 feet, and the debris flew to a height higher than that of the airplane. Proceeded to a point on the China coast near Ningpo.

Airplane No. AC 40-2270 -- Took off at 8:30 a.m. ship time, Pilot Lt. Robert M. Gray 0-403862, Co-pilot Lt. Jacob E. Manch 0-389941, Navigator Lt. Chas. J. Ozuk 0-419618, Bombardier Sgt. A.E. Jones 6580258, Engineer-Gunner Cpl. Leland D. Faktor 17003211, Proceeded to Tokyo. Bombed steel works, Gas Company and chemical works with demolition bombs and a factory district with incendiary bombs. Proceeded to China bailing out at 6200 feet in the mountains near and Southeast of Chuchow. Lt. Gray, Lt. Mach and Sgt. Jones were uninjured. Lt. Ozuk suffered a severe cut on his leg due to landing on a sharp rock. Corporal L.D. Faktor was found dead. The case of Corp. Faktor's death was unknown as his parachute apparently functioned properly. It is suspected that he landed on extremely rough terrain and was killed in the secondary fall. A detailed report prepared by Lt. Gray is attached hereto.

Airplane No. AC 40-2282 -- Took off at 8:33 a.m. ship time, Pilot Lt. Everett W. Holstrom 0-397395, Co-pilot Lt. Lucian N. Youngblood 0-421153, Navigator-Gunner Lt. Harry C. McCool o-419329, Bombardier Sgt. Robert J. Stephens 6936650, Engineer-Gunner Cpl. Bert M. Jordan 6952993, Proceeded in the direction of Tokyo but encountered severe fighter opposition. Endeavored to get around the fighters and passed beyond Tokyo. They then decided to bomb a secondary target but were again attacked and driven off. Eventually dropped their bombs in the water and proceeded to a point near and Southeast of Shangjao where all crew members bailed out safely.

Airplane No. AC 40-2283 -- Took off at 8:37 a.m. ship time, Pilot Capt. David M. Jones 0-22482, Co-pilot Lt. Rodney R. Wilder 0-421149, Navigator-Gunner Lt. Eugene F. McGurl 0-431648, Bombardier Lt.Denver N. Truelove 0-427637, Engineer-Gunner Sgt. Joseph W. Manske 6914440, Proceeded to Tokyo where bombing from 1200 feet, they made direct hits with three demolition bombs and one incendiary cluster on power stations, oil tanks, a large manufacturing plant and the congested area Southeast of the Imperial Palace. one factory bombed was a new building which covered approximately two city blocks. They then proceeded to China, bailing out near and just Southeast of Chuchow. All crew members are safe.

Airplane No. AC 40-2298 -- Took off at 8:40 a.m. ship time, Pilot Lt. Dean E. Hallmark 0-421081, Co-pilot Lt. Robert J. Meder 0-421280, Navigator-Gunner Lt. Chase J. Neilson 0-419938, Bombardier Sgt. Wm. J. Dieter 6565763, Engineer-Gunner Cpl. Donald E. Fitzmaurice 17360, This airplane landed in the Nangchang Area near Poyang Lake. From the best reports available (which are not to be relied upon) two crew members, presumably Sgt. Dieter and Cpl. Fitzmaurice are missing and three crew members, presumably Lts. Hallmark, Meder and Neilson were captured by the Japanese. It was reported that one of these was bayoneted resisting capture but was not killed.

Airplane No. AC 40-2261 -- Took off at 8:43 a.m. ship time, Pilot Lt. Ted W. Lawson 0-399549, Co-pilot Lt. Dean Davenport 0-427310, Navigator-Gunner Lt. Chas. L. McClure 0-431647, Bombardier Lt. Robert S. Clever 0-432336, Engineer-Gunner Sgt. David J. Thatcher 19019573, Bombed the industrial section of Tokyo with 3 demolition bombs and one incendiary bomb. This airplane landed in the water off the coast of China, west of Sangchow. One crew member was badly injured, three injured, one slightly injured. The badly injured crew member is thought to be Lt. Lawson but we do not have definite confirmation of this. It is understood that he had a head and leg injury and it was necessary to give him several transfusions. Sgt. Thatcher was only slightly injured and it was due to his heroism that the lives of the other crew members were saved. Although badly cut on the head and knocked unconscious when the plane hit the sea and turned over he nevertheless waded and swam out into the perilous sea to secure the medical kit from the crushed plane. He was the only crew member physically able to carry on. After it became obvious that any further wait would result in capture by Japanese forces only 3 miles away, Chinese fishermen were persuaded by him to carry his injured crewmates to temporary safety around Japanese outposts. Then for three days Chinese fishermen were forced or persuaded by him to carry the injured crew members over difficult mountainous terrain until medical aid was reached. All of this plane's crew were saved from either capture or death as a result of Sgt. Thatcher's initiative and courage in assuming responsibility and tending the wounded day and night. As of the last report the 4 injured crew members, less Sgt. Thatcher who had proceeded on, had left the dangerous area with a Chinese escort and with Lt. T.R. White, of the Medical Corps from Airplane No. 40-2267 in attendance.

Airplane No. AC 40-2242 -- Took off at 8:46 a.m. ship time, Pilot Capt. Edward J. York 0-21151, Co-pilot Lt. Robert G. Emmens 0-24104, Navigator Bombardier Lt. Nolan A. Herndon 0-419328, Engineer, Gunner S/Sgt. T.H. Laban 6559855, Gunner Sgt. David W. Pohl 6152141, This airplane bombed Tokyo with 3 demolition bombs and one incendiary bomb. Due to extremely high gasoline consumption they proceeded to Siberia landing at a point about 40 miles north of Vladivostok. All crew members o.k. and plane apparently saved. All were interned by the Russian Government and are now at Penza about 350 miles Southeast of Moscow.


Airplane No. AC 40-2303 -- Took off at 8:50 a.m. ship time, Pilot Lt. Harold Watson 0-397797, Co-pilot Lt. James M. Parker, Jr. 0-421128, Navigator-Gunner Lt. Thos. C. Griffin 0-377848, Bombardier Sgt. Wayne M. Bissell 6579237, Engineer-Gunner T/Sgt. Eldred V. Scott 6530453, Bombed Tokyo with 3 demolition bombs and one incendiary cluster, scored hit at Kawasji truck and tank plant, another factory building and the congested industrial districts near the railroad station south of the Imperial Palace. The crew bailed out about 100 miles south of Poyang lake. All landed safely except Lt. Watson whose arm was caught in a parachute riser and dislocated at the shoulder. he suffered severe discomfort for a week until a doctor was encountered who put the arm back in place. When last seen about May 1 the arm was healing rapidly and Lt. Watson was experiencing no discomfort.

Airplane No. AC 40-2250 -- Took off at 8:53 a.m. ship time,Pilot Lt. Richard O. Joyce 0-401770, Co-pilot Lt. J. Royden Stork 0-421345, Navigator-Bombardier Lt. H.E. Crouch 0-395839, Engineer-Gunner Sgt. Geo. E. Larkin Jr. 6984298, Gunner S/Sgt. Ed. W. Horton Jr. 6139178, Proceeded to Tokyo and bombed the Japanese Special Steel Company plants and warehouses in South Tokyo in the Shiba Ward 11.2 miles north of Tana River with 3 demolition bombs and 1 incendiary cluster from 2500 feet. proceeded to China and all crew members bailed out about 30 miles north of Chuchow. All o.k. (Jumped from 8000 feet) Detailed report prepared by Lt. Joyce attached hereto.

Airplane No. AC 40-2249 -- Took off at 8:56 a.m. ship time, Pilot Capt. Chas. R. Greening 0-22443 , Co-pilot Lt. Kenneth E. Reddy 0-421131, Navigator-Gunner Lt. Frank A. Kappeler 0-419579, Bombardier S/Sgt. Wm. L. Birch 6561172, Engineer-Gunner Sgt. Melvin J. Gardner 6296448, Proceeded to Yokohama and bombed oil refineries, docks, warehouses and industrial area of Yokohama with 4 incendiary clusters from 600 feet. After bombing proceeded to China abandoning ship at 10,000 feet at a point about 40 miles northwest of Chuchow. All crew members o.k.

Airplane No. AC 40-2278 -- Took off at 8:59 a.m. ship time, Pilot Lt. Wm. M. Bower 0-398557, Co-pilot Lt. Thadd Blanton 0-421030, Navigator-Gunner Lt. Wm. R. Pound 0-419333, Bombardier T/Sgt. Waldo J. Bither 6101457, Engineer-Gunner S/Sgt. Omer A. Duquette 6143447, Proceeded to Yokohama and bombed oil refineries, tank farms and warehouses with 3 demolition bombs and 1 incendiary cluster from 1100 feet. proceeded to China and all hands abandoned ship at a pint about 40 miles northwest of Chuchow. All crew members o.k.

Airplane No. AC 40-2247 -- Took off at 9:01 a.m. ship time,Pilot Lt. Edgar E. McElroy 0-421122, Co-pilot Lt. Richard A. Knobloch 0-421816, Navigator-Gunner Lt. Clayton J. Campbell 0-419327, Bombardier Sgt. Robert C. Bourgeois 7000417,Engineer-Gunner Sgt. Adam R. Williams 6969211, Proceeded to the Yokosuka Navy Yard and bombed the dock area and one partially completed boat from 1500 feet with 3 demolition and one incendiary cluster. Bombs apparently had maximum effect, destroying everything on the dock and enveloping the boat in flames. Proceeded to China and landed near Poyang. Bailed out at 6,000 feet. All crew members o.k.

Airplane No. AC 40-2297 -- Took off at 9:07 a.m. ship time, Pilot Major John A. Hilger 0-20437, Co-pilot Lt. Jack A. Sims 0-421340, Navigator-Bombardier Lt. James H. Macia, Jr. 0-419330, Engineer-Gunner S/Sgt. Jacob Eierman 6883947, Radio-Gunner S/Sgt. Edwin V. Bain 6561290, Proceeded to Nagoya and bombed military barracks at Nagoya Castle, oil storage warehouses northwest of the business district, military arsenal in the center of city and the Mitsubishi aircraft factory on the water front with 4 incendiary clusters from 1500 feet. proceeded to China and all crew members bailed out, landing southeast of and near Shangjao. All crew members o.k.

Airplane No. AC 40-2267 -- Took off at 9:15 a.m. ship time, Pilot Lt. Donald G. Smith 0-389010, Co-pilot Lt. Griffith P. Williams 0-421356, Navigator-Bombardier Lt. Howard A. Sessler 0-431650, Flight Surgeon Lt. Thomas R. White, M.C. 0-420191, Engineer-Gunner Sgt. Edward J. Saylor 6569707, Proceeded to Kobe and bombed the main industrial area, age aircraft factory, dock yards and yards in the north part of the Bay with 4 incendiary clusters, proceeded to China and landed in the water west of Sangchow. All crew members o.k. Lt. T.R. White, Medical Corps, a member of the crew, at great risk to his life and with exemplary courage remained inside the sinking ship with water rising dangerously until his surgical instruments and medical kit could be salvaged. The plane plunged down into 100 t of water just after he had completed his effort and escaped. This action, together with his unselfish devotion to duty and attendance on the injured crew of airplane #AC 40-2261 in spite of a Japanese advance into that area, indicated exemplary courage and deserves special commendation.

Airplane No. AC 40-2268 -- Took off at 9:19 a.m. ship time, Pilot Lt. Wm. G. Farrow 0-421731, Co-pilot Lt. Robert L. Hite 0-417960, Navigator-Gunner Lt. Geo. Barr 0-431644, Bombardier Cpl. Jacob DeShazer 6584514, Engineer-Gunner Cpl. C. Spatz 6936659, Landed on the Coast at Shipu south of Ningpo and crew was captured by soldiers of the puppet government. The best information available indicates that two crewmen are missing and three captured. In as much as the two captured crews were in airplanes No. AC 40-2268 and 2298, it is possible that some confusion exists in the identification of these two airplanes and their location.


fled

[JG300_Hunt]

Man, that would be a blast and this little piggie would definately like to take part. I would have to caveat by saying date dependant however.. As we get closer of course

[Shadow_Bshwackr]

Put me down for this too...

The Saturday before--- April 14th or the Saturday after April 21st may be good days to do this.

Oh Jelly, where are ya?...lol

[lazyeight]

Sure, sign me up.

[Uhu_Fledermaus]

me thinks April 14th should be the target date.

Also I request to all that want to take part to select a Aircraft by stating the Aircraft number, this is important for the set up files for take off and other things.

Thankx in advance

fled

[401RCAF_Jel]

Oh the memories this was a classic flight first time round... One to be remembered and cherished that's for sure !!

I'd love to revisit this but i'm gonna have to do some pretty serious juggling if i can pull it off with work etc...

After my recent computer troubles i've unfortunaley lost ALL my downloads from the years of doing this stuff. So would need some help from you maybe please Fled with our old Doolittle Pack ??

I'm a definate maybe for this

[Uhu_Fledermaus]

Still have the stuff working to get it "packaged" some contact would be much appreciated

get yar tail on TS or MSN


fled

[lazyeight]

AC 40-2270 would be fine for Lazyeight if that number is ok.

[JG300_Hunt]

I am going to have to bow out of this one gents. During April I will be at Airborne School falling out of planes rather than flying them. Please take some pics for sure! If I can manage a laptop there I'll pop in as an observer.

[401RCAF_HitMan]

The last time we did this it was a 16 hour flight with I think 12 bombers, and about 3 months of preparation for scenery creation, bomber textures, carrier placements for each aircraft and practicing taking off from the deck one after the other and getting all birds in the air, in addition to special scenery creation to show the bomb blasts at the final destination in Japan. My wife thought I was totally nuts but I would be interested in doing this again.

[Uhu_Fledermaus]

You are more than welcome Hit !

The more the merrier !;)


fled

[RCAF_Wingnut]

I'm interested in the flight, even if I've got to take time off to do it. I don't care which plane I fly in either. I have a carrier package that places the Hornet at the proper location, and it is supposed to have a second carrier and some support ships, but only one of the carriers and one support ship shows up. where the other ships are located is the wake for the ship and a aircraft gate like at a major airport across the center of where the ship is supposed to be, and the second carrier is a suspended dirt runway with the gate accross it. I got the scenery at MAAM.

[Uhu_Fledermaus]

As said before we are working on a pack that complies with the needed stuff for this particular flight.

REQUIREMENT IS that all participants have the same scenery and aircraft installed, otherwise it is of no use to even start this.

Therefore we are working on a package to cover this

Thank you !


fled

[RCAF_Pickleboy]

I would love to participate in this... \

RCAF_Pickle