Today in the Second World War

Welcome to today’s edition of the Hidden History Newsletter! Today marks the anniversary of a significant event in World War II history. On April 18th, 1942, sixteen B-25 bombers took off from the USS Hornet, led by Lieutenant Colonel James H. Doolittle, on a daring raid over Tokyo and other targets in Japan. However, April 18th also marks a somber moment in World War II history, as it was on this day in 1945 that American journalist Ernie Pyle was killed by enemy fire on the island of Ie Shima off Okinawa, Japan. Join us as we remember both the heroism of the Doolittle Raiders and the sacrifice of Ernie Pyle, and reflect on the events of April 18th during World War II.

“I have been luckier than the law of averages should allow. I could never be so lucky again.” - Jimmy Doolittle

America Strikes Back

After the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the United States was eager to strike back at Japan, which had seized territory throughout the Pacific and threatened American interests in the region. The US military was looking for a way to retaliate against Japan, and the idea of bombing Tokyo was considered, but it was thought to be impossible due to the long distance from US airbases.

In January 1942, Lieutenant Colonel James "Jimmy" Doolittle was selected to lead a secret mission to bomb Tokyo. Doolittle was a highly experienced pilot and aeronautical engineer, who had set numerous aviation records and had worked on improving aircraft engines. He began planning the mission, which involved launching B-25 bombers from an aircraft carrier, a feat that had never been attempted before.

The plan involved using the USS Hornet, a newly commissioned aircraft carrier that was sent on a secret mission to transport the bombers close enough to Japan to launch the raid. The B-25s were modified to carry extra fuel and bombs, and the crews were trained to take off from a shorter distance than usual.

On April 18, 1942, the USS Hornet launched the 16 B-25s, with Doolittle leading the first plane. The raid was a surprise attack, and the Japanese did not expect an attack from that distance. The planes flew over Japan, dropping bombs on military and industrial targets, including the Mitsubishi aircraft factory, before flying on to China, where the crews bailed out or crash-landed due to a lack of fuel.

The raid caused minimal damage to Japan's war-making capacity, but it had a significant psychological impact on both the Japanese and American people. It was the first time that the United States had struck the Japanese homeland, and it demonstrated that Japan was vulnerable to attack. The raid also forced Japan to divert resources to home defense and helped to boost American morale during a dark period of the war.

However, the raid did have some negative consequences. Most of the crew members survived the raid, but three were killed and several were captured by the Japanese. The Japanese also retaliated against the Chinese civilians who had helped the American airmen to escape, killing an estimated 250,000 people in the so-called "Sook Ching" massacre.

The Doolittle Raid remains a significant event in the history of the Pacific war and is remembered as a daring and successful operation that had a significant impact on the course of the war.

April 18th Remains a Date of Revenge for Pearl Harbor

Admiral Yamamoto was the commander-in-chief of the Japanese Combined Fleet and the architect of the Pearl Harbor attack. He was highly respected in Japan and was known for his strategic brilliance and tactical innovation. He had also studied in the United States and was familiar with American culture and military capabilities.

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Yamamoto became a top target for American retaliation. The US military was eager to strike back at Japan and wanted to take out Yamamoto to deal a significant blow to Japan's war-making capacity.

The plan to assassinate Yamamoto was the result of a joint effort between the US Army Air Forces and Navy intelligence. The US had intercepted and decrypted Japanese messages that indicated Yamamoto would be traveling on a particular plane at a specific time, allowing the Americans to plan the attack.

The mission was carried out by a group of P-38 Lightning fighters, which were chosen because of their long range and high speed. The fighters were flown by experienced pilots who were trained in air-to-air combat.

On April 18, 1943, the American fighters intercepted Yamamoto's plane as it flew over Bougainville in the Solomon Islands. The plane was being escorted by several Japanese fighters, but the American pilots were able to outmaneuver them and shoot down Yamamoto's plane. Yamamoto was killed instantly, along with several of his staff members.

Vice Admiral Matome Ugaki, who was flying in a separate plane, also took off from Rabaul and was shot down by American fighters. Ugaki survived the crash and was later captured by the Americans.

The assassination of Yamamoto was a significant blow to the Japanese war effort, as he was considered one of the most capable and respected naval officers in Japan. His death was a severe blow to Japanese morale, and it demonstrated the effectiveness of American intelligence gathering.

However, the mission was controversial, as some criticized the US for engaging in an assassination, which was seen as violating the rules of war. Others argued that the attack was justified, as Yamamoto had played a central role in the attack on Pearl Harbor, and the US had the right to defend itself.

Overall, the assassination of Yamamoto was a significant event in the Pacific War and demonstrated the US's determination to defeat Japan. It also showed the importance of intelligence gathering and the effectiveness of air power in modern warfare.

America Loses a Legendary Journalist

Ernie Pyle was born in Indiana in 1900 and began his journalism career in the 1920s as a reporter for various newspapers across the United States. In 1935, he began writing a daily column for the Scripps-Howard newspaper chain, which quickly gained a national following for its folksy, down-to-earth style and its focus on the lives of ordinary Americans.

When the US entered World War II, Pyle became a war correspondent and was soon sent to cover the fighting in North Africa. He quickly gained a reputation for his vivid, personal reporting, which focused on the experiences of the soldiers on the front lines rather than on the grand strategy of the war.

Pyle's reporting from the front lines of the war was immensely popular with the American public, who felt that he was giving them an intimate and honest view of the war that they could not get from official sources. He won a Pulitzer Prize for his war reporting in 1944.

Pyle's reporting from the Pacific Theater of the war was especially influential, as he covered the battles of Guadalcanal, Tarawa, and Okinawa. He often embedded himself with individual units of soldiers and wrote about their daily lives, struggles, and triumphs.

On April 18, 1945, Pyle was covering the battle of Okinawa on the island of Ie Shima when he was killed by Japanese machine gun fire. His death was a huge loss to the American war effort, as he was one of the most widely read and respected journalists of his time.

Pyle's death was mourned by people all over the world, and he was remembered as a brave and compassionate reporter who had given voice to the soldiers who were fighting and dying in the war. His legacy continues to inspire journalists today, and his influence on American journalism is still felt.

Photo of the Day

German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel with General Hans Sinnhuber, Lieutenant General Hans Speidel, and Captain Lang at Pas de Calais, France, 18 Apr 1944.

As we remember the events of April 18th during World War II, we are reminded of the courage and sacrifice of those who fought in the war, as well as the impact of the war on individuals and nations. The Doolittle Raid and the death of Ernie Pyle both serve as powerful reminders of the human cost of war and the bravery of those who fought in it. Join us again tomorrow as we continue to explore the history of World War II and the people and events that shaped it.

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Have a great week :)

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