"30 seconds over Tokyo," Is free on TUBI right now.
""""Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo (1944) is a highly accurate war film detailing the 1942 "Doolittle Raid," the first U.S. air strike on Japan. Starring Spencer Tracy as Lt. Col. Jimmy Doolittle and Van Johnson as Capt. Ted Lawson, the film is based on Lawson’s memoir, documenting the training, harrowing mission, and aftermath."""

I went to high school with Ed Horton's daughter but didn't know the connection at the time.

Just saw this, I have read everything I can about this mission...Although some of them did not realize it, many did, they were basically taking off on a one way mission...Just imagine the courage and faith it took to do that. Most of them went on to fight in other areas.. for instance Davey Jones played by Robert Mitcham in the movie was shot down in Europe and played a small role in the actual Great Escape. Those 80 men and the countless others who got them there define Americas greatest generation..

60

BTW: April is a big month, the 21st is the anniversary of the day the Red Baron was shot down in WW I....

quote:

and aftermath."""

I might add that the Japs (yes I said that) killed and estimated 250,000 Chinese civilians in retaliation for those that helped the Raiders escape...

When Doolittle sent out the word to B-25 crews that he wanted volunteers for a top-secret highly dangerous mission, everyone volunteered. All of them. Every damn man.

Talk about courage and patriotism...

Thanks for the heads up! I am watching it as I write this.



Amazing feat, and amazing men.

I HATE reading books, but that is one I could not put down. Ended up reading it in a single sitting.

12 years ago I had the pleasure of attending an event where Lt. Col (ret) Ed Saylor (one of the Raiders) was a speaker. Absolutely fascinating to hear a firsthand account of someone who was there and survived, even more so being able to meet the man and chat for a few moments.

He was the gunner/flight engineer from Crew 15 which ditched into the ocean off the coast of China, swam to shore and were safely evacuated out past the Japanese blockade in a Sampan.




Paul Allen of Microsoft fame was a WW II buff and founded a Military flight museum near me (now owned by a Walmart heir).

They have several vintage, flying WW II aircraft, including a B25 and put on an annual airshow with many of these aircraft as well as other visiting vintage military warbirds. It was at that airshow where Lt. Col Saylor was a featured speaker. My original reason for going was to take aircraft photos, and I got some great ones but Lt. Col Saylor’s appearance became the most memorable part of the day.

Always thought this was a cool photo.

It's a painting. There are no pics of them leaving, I think they left at night for stealth, but I could be wrong about that.

Last time this painting appeared, I sent it to my college room mate, whose father was Army Air Corps and AAF pilot during WWII, stationed at Pearl on Dec 7, 1941, but missed the festivities as he was on a training mission and returned after the attack. My friend pointed out that it's not real.

quote:

Originally posted by newtoSig765:
It's a painting. There are no pics of them leaving, I think they left at night for stealth, but I could be wrong about that.

Last time this painting appeared, I sent it to my college room mate, whose father was Army Air Corps and AAF pilot during WWII, stationed at Pearl on Dec 7, 1941, but missed the festivities as he was on a training mission and returned after the attack. My friend pointed out that it's not real.

Okay then, but no less cool.

^^^^^^
Yes, very cool.

I was at Wright Pat AFB few years back, they were having one of the final Raiders reunions. Forget how many were left but it wasn’t many, It saddens me to think they are all passed.

quote:

Originally posted by newtoSig765:
It's a painting. There are no pics of them leaving, I think they left at night for stealth, but I could be wrong about that.

Last time this painting appeared, I sent it to my college room mate, whose father was Army Air Corps and AAF pilot during WWII, stationed at Pearl on Dec 7, 1941, but missed the festivities as he was on a training mission and returned after the attack. My friend pointed out that it's not real.

AI Agrees, it is a painting, yes cool, here is the Rest of the Story:



This image depicts a historical artwork titled "Approaching the Gate to Destiny" by artist William S. Phillips.

Subject Matter: The painting illustrates the USS Hornet (CV-8) departing San Francisco Bay on April 2, 1942, to launch the historic Doolittle Raid.

Key Details: The carrier is shown loaded with 16 B-25 Mitchell bombers parked on its flight deck.

Setting: The ship is passing beneath the Golden Gate Bridge, heading out to sea for the secret mission

If that is how they were spotted on the flight deck, one has to wonder how the first/lead B-25 got into the air. Not much 'runway', even if taking off into the wind.

I'm guessing that William S. Phillips was an artist, not a pilot or sailor.

Having said that, it fooled me the first time it appeared here.

For Sale: $10,000

Strongly recommend a trip the National Museum of the United States Airforce where you can see the Raiders' goblets.

https://www.nationalmuseum.af....tle-raiders-goblets/