Remembering World War II’s 80 American aviators

Historian Allen Shirley believes that the historic Doolittle raid by 80 American aviators is often overshadowed by other World War II-related events, such as the Battle of Midway, the D-Day landing along the FreTnchhceoaAst alnzdhtheedimrope- ping of two atomic bombs. lievintginto

The daring attack took place just four months after the Japanese What made the mission all the more challenging was a sighting viciously surprised the people of the United States and the world in of a Japanese patrol boat that spurred the task force commander, the deadly attack on Pearl Harbor. U.S. Navy Adm. William F. “Bull” Halsey, to launch the mission

Leading the raid was Lt. Col. Jimmy Doolittle with 80 American more than 650 nautical miles from Japan. airmen participating, five each on the crews of 16 B-25 bombers. Flying at wave-top level around 200 feet and with their radios turned off, the Raiders avoided detection for as much of the distances

Doolittle visited the Pancho Barnes’s entertainment complex as possible. The bombers targeted dry docks, armories, oil east of Rosamond, by flying into the tiny airport on several occasions refineries and aircraft factories. after the end of World War II. aiordtehfeensresw.as so caught off guard by the Raiders A list of the raid’s accomplishment provides a highly important • Three bombers were ditched in the waters off the China coast. that little anti-aircraft fire was volleyed and only one Japanese Zero

air-Exchange view of the extraordinary exercise: • One bomber landed in the Soviet Union, where the U.S. followed in pursuit. With their bombs delivered, the Raiders flew • Of the 80 airmen, none were killed and eight were captured. men were held as prisoners. towards safety in China.

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• Of the eight who were captured, three were executed, one At the time, the attack was considered a suicide mission, Many airmen had to parachute out into the night. died of mistreatment during captivity and four were sent back to rian Shirley said, because they had to launch earlier and 170 miles The attack was a psychological blow for the Japanese, who the U.S. after 40 months. t6han planned. moved four fighter groups and recalled top officers from the front

• None of the 16 bombers were shot down, though all 16 were Bombs were dropped on Tokyo, Yokohama, Yokosuka, Nathisgomya, lines of the Pacific to protect the cities in the event American lost in the daring military retaliatBioneatftoacrk.e

• Eleven crew members bailePd oluetaovsereChcinoan. AQttuacihreodgtoae-acDh

friendship medals that had been The end of the war came after the Americans had dropped two • One crew member made a wheels-up crash landing. handed to American officials by Japanese dignitaries, prior to theLeaatormnicabobmobus itn smummuernofit1y94r5e.

DOOLITTLE RAIDERS bombing of Pearl Harbor. Tying the medal to the tips of the bombs, Shirley said, “was their way of saying ‘This is what we think of your friendship medals.’”

Rgicihvared Er.sCoole,fwhao was the last survimvore,

By Dawn Perry

“Frico” is a fun way of saying “Parmesan-crusted,” an excellent treatment for boneless chicken breasts. You really can make this with any combination of quick-cooking vegetables — but you must make it in a nonstick skillet.

Yield: 4 servings

Total time: 35 minutes

Ingredients

Crispy frico chicken with mushrooms and thyme. “Frico” is a fun way of saying “Parmesan-crusted,” an excellent treatment for boneless chicken breasts.