Evening star., 1942-05-20
Doolttle Credits Special Equipment for Success
IOf Low-Ffght Bomb Raid on Japanese Factories
Statement Hints at
Use Of Bigger Planes
From Navy Carriers
BY ALFRED TOOMBS.

perhaps the first real secret weapon
of the war-which made possible
the raid of Brig. Gen. Jimmy Doo-
little against the industrial heart of
Japan on April 18.
This was revealed by Gen. Doo-
little himself, in the course of an
interview yesterday when he de-
scribed how American flyers, hedge
hopping across Japan In broad day
light in fast medium bombers, had
spread absolute devastation" with
out loss OF single plane to the
enemy.
Gen. Doolittle said that the 80
American flyers who participated in
the raid had been trained In this
country for weeks before in the
use of special equipment"
The nature of this equipment is
mystery which is intriguing to
guessers on military subjects in this
country-but which must be even
more puzzling to the sons OF Nippon.
Speed Above 800 M. p. H.
Gen. Doolittle revealed that the
raid-which was directed at an area
40 miles long and miles deep
was carried out by medium bombers
of the North American B-25-B type.
These planes carry. under normal
conditions. crew Of five men and
have a speed of over 300 miles an
hour. Their range, with bomb
load, is estimated at more than
1000 miles-and they are capable
Of carrying a two-ton load Of ex-
plosives.
The North American Co. calls
this bomber the Mitchell--in honor
of Brig. Gen. Billy Mitchell, pioneer
advocate Of American air power.
1t is not believed here that Amer
lea has access to any air base which
would put medium bombers within
striking distance of Japan. 1t seems
pretty obvious then that Gen. Doo-
Titles special equipment was de-
signed to overcome this handicap.
Might Have Used Carrier.
Perhaps the equipment made 1t
possible for these l4-ton planes to
take of from the deck OF aircraft
carriers 1t Is known that devices
have been tested which enable large
planes to take of from small air
ports, and 1t Is possible that such
devices have been adapted to per-
nit big planes to take OF from
carriers. We have two aircraft car
riers with long flight decks-the
Saratoga and the Lexington, which
have decks nearly 900 feet long
| Or perhaps the secret equipment
made it feasible for the raiding
planes to increase their range so
much that they could get to Japan
and back from a land base on this
continent or in Asia.
There was no doubt in the minds
Of newspapermen who talked to
Gen. Doolittle that the raids could
be-and would be-rereated. The
world famous speed flyer-a baldish,
small manifold simply and di-
rectly the story of what is probably
the most amazing night in modern
military aviation.
HIS planes came over Japan so low
that they had to climb before re-
leasing their bombs-so as not to
wreck themselves in the explosions.
In vivid words he planted a picture
of the destruction which the raiders
left in their wake.
Too Fast for Pursuit.
He revealed that not q single
American bomber was left behind in
enemy territory and expressed sur
prise at the inadequacy of the de-
fense. Japanese pursuit ships which
set out after the Americans were
not fast enough to keep up with our
bombers, he said.
The 45-year- general who
started on the raid with the rank of
lieutenant colonel and was promoted
as well as decorated with the Con-
gressional Medal of Honor for his
feat-revealed that his raiders
dropped bombs close to the Imperial
Palace, but avoided hitting the pal
ace on his strict orders.
Seventy officers and enlisted
men who accompanied Gen. Doolit-
tie as volunteers each was awarded
the Distinguished Service Cross.
| In opening the interview, Gen.
bOOllIIlC ICUldI hcu.
Il am not allowed to say anything
about where the flight started nor
where it ended. can't say anything
about the number of planes nor
what happened. II there's anything
else you'd like to know, I'll answer
your questions.
(The German radio reported
last night that Gen. Doolittle
had carried out the air attack
against Japan from the air base
| Shangri-La, which was not
otherwise described by Roose-
veltO
But War Department reporters,
with hundreds of questions stored
up. found that Gen. Doolittle could
| tell lot about what happened"
Surprise Seen on Faces.
1--WE few low enough to see the
expressions on peoples faces" he
said.
What were their expressions?"
Their expression, I should say,
was one of surprise"
Who dropped the first bomb?"
Il couldn't tell. All were dropped
about the same time over a con-
siderable area, north of Toxic and
ranging down through Kenagwa,
the Yokohoma Navy Yard and
Yokesuke. Bombs also dropped on
Nagoya. Osaka and Kobe.
1T was difficult to tell what
damage was done. We were flying
so low and moving so fast. One
bomb dropped on a cruiser and a
tremendous fire broke out i'm
mediately.
"Incendiary bombs were dropped
on the Mitsubishi airplane plant,
which is the largest in Japan. Other
planes which came over later saw
the effect, which was absolutely