DEFENDING FIGHTERS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 117, 20 May 1942, Page 6

DEFENDING FIGHTERS

POOR INTERCEPTION

(By Telegraph—l'ress 'Association—CnpyrlStii - (Rec. 12.30 p.m.)

WASHINGTON. May 19

"The Tokio raid was made in fair weather, at midday," said General Doolittle. "No trouble was experienced in finding the exact target designated. Of the not more than 30 Japanese pursuit planes which were observed during the flight (and which were completely ineffective), several, we know, were shot down, and posr sibly more,

"Incidentally, the Japanese pursuit pilots seemed inexperienced, and were evidently below the standard of those encountered in the active theatres of war. Approaching the navy yard, we apparently passed over a flying school, where a number of trainer planes were in the air. After releasing our bombs we diVed again towards the tree tops, and went to the coast at that altitude to avoid anti-aircraft fire. Along the coastline we observed several squadrons of destroyers, and some cruisers and battleships, about 25 or 30 miles out at sea. "The rear-gunners reported seeing columns of smoke rising thousands of feet." SPECIFIC TARGET. General Doolittle said that each plane was assigned specific targets and that the operation was carried out with remarkable precision. The attackers experienced little hostile reaction because apparently there was no advanced warning. The bombers zoomed down just over the Tokio housetops, but dropped their bombs at 1500 feet. Near Nagoya one plane set fire to a tank farm. The fact that the planes were flying at such low. altitudes made it difficult to observe the results following the impact of the bombs. They could see the bombs strike, but the speed and the low altitude restricted vision. LEADERSHIP PRAISED. President Roosevelt commended General Doolittle's conspicuous leadership above and beyond the call of duty, involving personal valour and intrepidity at the extreme hazard of his life. With,the apparent certainty of being forced to land in enemy territory or to perish in'the sea, the squadron bombed Japanese cities and a navy yard, the President said/; '■"■'■ One of the party observed a ball game in progress, continued General Doolittle. The players and spectators did not run for cover until just as the field passed out of sight. The pilots, bombardiers, and members of the crew performed their duties with great calmness and remarkable precision. "We should have liked to have tarried and watched later developments of the fires and explosions, but even so we were fortunate to receive a fairly detailed report from they1 excited Japanese radio broadcasts,"' said the general. "It took them several hours to calm down to the point of deception and accusation." Both President Roosevelt and the War. Department left unanswered the important question to which the Japanese would like a solution, namely, Where was the raiding squadron based? VETERAN OF LAST WAR. General Doolittle, who is 45, is a veteran of the last war. He achieved fame as a speed flyer in the 1920's and received the Flying Cross in 1922. ] Mrs. Doolittle, who was specially, brought from Los Angeles for the ceremony, said to the Press: "I'm so thrilled I can't talk." She arrived this morning and walked into the President's office. She had not the slightest idea that her husband would be here, or even that he was in the United States. Generals J. C.Marshall and Henry H. Arnold attended the ceremony. No one knew about the decoration until a few moments previously.

President Roosevelt said he thought it would be quite a surprise to General Doolittle. Just before pinn/ng on the decoration Mr. Rooaevelt remarked, with a grin to the reporters, "Not even a columnist had guessed it."