“Departing Eglin on March 25, the raiders flew
their specialized aircraft to McClellan Field, CA for final modifications. Four
days later the 15 aircraft selected for the mission and one reserve aircraft
were flown to Alameda, CA where they were loaded aboard USS Hornet.
Sailing on April 2, Hornet rendezvoused with Vice Admiral William F.
Halsey's Task Force 18 north of Hawaii. Centered on the carrier USS Enterprise, TF18 was to
provide cover for Hornet during the mission. Combined, the American
force consisted of two carriers, three heavy cruisers, one light cruiser, eight
destroyers, and two oilers.” (http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/aerialcampaigns/p/doolittleraid.htm)
NAS Alameda was the departure point for the
Doolittle Raid on Tokyo 73 years ago today.
In retaliation for the bombing of Pearl Harbor,
President Roosevelt issued a directive to attack Tokyo as soon as possible.
This attack would serve two purposes: to show the Japanese the Americans were
not cowed and to build American morale. While difficult to plan and execute, and
while minimal damages were inflicted on the Japanese cities, the mission was a
success.
More details and further reading can be found at
the link above and at http://www.uss-hornet.org/history/wwii/doolittle.shtml
The USS Hornet (CV-8), from which the Doolittle Raiders launched, survived the Battle of Midway: however, was damaged beyond repair and sunk in October 1942. The current incarnation of the USS Hornet (CV-12) is a museum In Alameda, CA. It is open for tours daily from 10am until 5pm. For further information: http://www.uss-hornet.org/
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