The Doolittle Raid

 The Doolittle Raid:

What are the Long term, short term, and immediate causes and effects of the Doolittle raid? What strategies and tactics are used and what is their significance in the Doolittle raid? What are the technological, economical, social impacts, and political repercussions of the Doolittle raid? These are the questions that must be answered so that we can fully understand The Doolittle raid and its importance in World War Two (WWII).

On December 7, 1941 The Japanese attack Pearl Harbor, with 387 airplanes 120 of which were Mitsubishi AM6 Zeros fighters used as air cover for the 6 Japanese aircraft carriers. There was 144 Nakajima B5Ns a standard Japanese torpedo bomber at the time. As well as 135 Aichi D3As each of which carried two 60 kg bombs underneath the wings. The B5Ns and the D3As were sent in to attack high value targets such like the battleships. They successfully sank the USS Arizona with most of the crew members still on board. The B5Ns were also used to take out the battle ships, and the AM6s were used in the attack to try and destroy American airplanes before they could take off. The result of the Japanese surprise attack was; sinking or breaching of 12 ships, damaging 9, destroying 164 aircraft, and damaging 159, 1178 Americans were injured, and 35 of whom were civilian, and killing a total 2388 Americans, 48 of whom were civilian. On December 8, 1941 the President of America, Theodor Roosevelt made his famous speech of infamy in which he swore “that no matter how long it may take us, to overcome this premeditated invasion. The American people in their righteous might will win through too absolute victory12”. On that day the United States of America declared war on Japan and joined the WWII. The Japanese, Hoping to cripple the American pacific fleet and any potential resistance had in fact released the wraith of a nation upon themselves. This provocation leads to the Doolittle raid (April 18, 1941), then to the battle of Midway (ending June 7 1942). The very first step, for the absolute victory that was being called for was the Doolittle Raid.

After the bombing of Pearl Harbor the Japanese role forward into the pacific islands. Invading both the Philippines and Malaya on December 8th, Guam , Makin, and Tarawa are invaded on the 10th , December 23rd the wake islands fall with 120 American casualties, January 2nd Manila is captured .