Doolittle Raid

American bombers carry out the first US air strike on the Japanese home islands.

American B-25 bombers took off from an aircraft carrier for a symbolic strike on Japanese cities. The direct military effect was limited, but the raid had major psychological significance.

B-25 aircraft launched from the carrier Hornet under conditions for which such bombers were not normally designed. The principal aim was psychological after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Material damage was limited, and the crews faced a difficult journey after the raid to reach landing grounds in China or make forced landings.

The raid raised morale in the United States and forced the Japanese command to reconsider the security of the home islands.

Source: View historical source ↗