Key Events and Details from the USS Hornet and B-25 Bombers Operation on 2nd April 1942

Context

• Date and Location: April 2, 1942, the USS Hornet aircraft carrier departed from San Francisco under the Golden Gate Bridge.
• Objective: Transporting 16 B-25 Mitchell bombers, presumed by locals to be heading for Hawaii.

Background

• Pearl Harbor Attack: In December 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, leading the US into World War II.
• US Territories Attacked: Japan also targeted Guam, the Philippines, and Wake Island.
• American Response: The US sought a retaliatory strike for morale boosting.

Planning and Testing

• Bombing Feasibility: Roosevelt explored bombing Japan, complicated by lack of nearby airfields.
• Takeoff Testing: Tests in Virginia proved B-25s could take off from a carrier, though challenging in open sea conditions.
• Doolittle's Plan: Lt. Col. Doolittle proposed launching bombers from a carrier and landing in Soviet Union, later changed to China.

Task Force and Fleet Details

• Task Force 18: Consisted of USS Hornet, cruisers, oilers, and destroyers.
• Task Force 16: Included USS Enterprise, cruisers, oilers, and destroyers, led by Admiral Halsey.
• Submarine Support: USS submarines Trowel and Thresher provided weather updates and attacked Japanese shipping.

The Operation

• Departure: Task forces rendezvous on April 13, then head west.
• Fleet Composition: USS Enterprise provided air cover; Dauntless bombers and Wildcats were deployed.
• Detection and Launch: Despite early detection, bombers were launched 170 miles out from Japan.

The Raid

• Bombers' Targets: Bombers targeted military and industrial sites in Tokyo, Yokohama, Yokosuka, Nagoya, and Kobe.
• Japanese Defense: Japanese fighters and AA guns engaged, but no bombers lost.
• Outcomes: Significant damage to targets, minimal losses for US forces.

Aftermath

• Escape and Internment: Bombers aimed for China, one landed in the Soviet Union. Crews mostly returned home with Chinese assistance.
• Japanese Reprisals: Severe reprisals against Chinese regions, high civilian casualties.
• American Morale Boost: Successful raid raised US morale and demonstrated vulnerability of Japan's defenses.
• Strategic Impact: Led to Japanese focus on Midway, contributing to future US victories in the Pacific.