Bombing Tokyo: The Story of Doolittle

Bombing Tokyo: The Story of Doolittle, written by Chen Jun, is a documentary literary work about this event.

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In the authorized history of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Invasion, the fact that Lieutenant Colonel Jimmy Doolittle commanded 80 pilots who flew 16 B-25 medium bombers to assault Japan is not explicitly mentioned. But this mission is unique. The planes took off from the US “Hornet” aircraft carrier, then landed in Quzhou, Zhejiang Province, and other places after finishing the air raid mission. This military action stands out for its unique battle operational idea, ingenious battle plan and courageous combat process. The success of the air strike relied on close cooperation between China and the United States. The US military pilots who landed in Zhejiang Province after the air strike received assistance from the Chinese military and civilians, forming the basis of another vivid story of China-US cooperation against Japan.

The book lays out the details of this air strike from the beginning of the design and organization through to the implementation. This book elaborates on Doolittle’s choice of the type of bombers and aircraft carriers, especially the selection of pilots and various preparation work. Because of limited fuel, it might not have been possible for US military pilots to fly these bombers to the Chinese mainland, but none of them hesitated to press forward. At midday of April 18, 1942, the US military achieved their intended purpose of attacking nine target cities including Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe, Nagoya, Yokosuka and Kanagawa.

The cooperation between the Chinese and American militaries and civilians is emphasized in this book. The air strike plan was highly confidential and China was also not privy to the attack plan. However, the US pleaded with the Chinese government to build five airports in Chinese cities such as Quzhou, Lishui and Guilin. Being short of machinery, the Chinese government built these airports under extremely difficult conditions. The book tells in detail the vivid story of how Doolittle and his comrades landed on the coast of Zhejiang Province and were assisted by the local people.

The author, Chen Jun, once served in the Air Force of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, so he is an expert in aerial warfare. Thanks to his long engagement in China-US friendly exchange activities since he immigrated to America, the author poured his personal experience and feelings into his work. To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the defeat of fascism and victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Invasion, Chen organized a distinguished meeting for overseas Chinese at the host venue of the Oscar Awards with the support of the Chinese government in 2005. More than 100 American veterans who participated in World War II and their families were invited to this commemorative activity. The author has had many exchanges with these veterans since the event.

 

(edited by CHEN ALONG)