Today in 1942; a mission for the ages

[gums]

Salute!

On this day a group of brave and good folks struck a blow to the Empire that demonstrated the U.S. could strike the heartland. Many historians feel the Doolittle Raid hastened the IJN attack on Midway before all was in place, No matter.

I am always in awe of their navigation skills and airmanship. Where do we get such folks then and now?

I am fortunate to live about ten miles from their practice field north of Eglin AFB and have been there, so a few pics follow. Of course, I drove past the warning signs and figured I could play "lost" if apprehended by the security patrols. Still drive up there each year and have a cermonial toast by the historical marker. The runway I show was the short one at the field. Due to super security at the time, there are virtually no photos of the practice. There is one that was taken at the ramp and I cannot find it. Might be on one of Doolittle sites from family or others...

Historical marker at north end of the field

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/545x485/highway_sign_5a82db81a64c4497d7e9647febc508d9bb6e76e9.jpg
The ramp

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/800x600/doolittle_ramp_a35829f608858646654b35efff393406eea3b40c.jpg
looking down the runway

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/800x600/practice_runway_99a60e5fd2dc899fb590036ba9a10220501b2dbf.jpg
practice takeoff

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/587x361/doolittle_practice_bd9f9985221c532a540cc41a0cc4173083f1811d. jpg

So neat to be close to a part of history...

Gums sends...

[Lima Juliet]

Cracking photos, thanks for sharing gums :ok:

Is this the photo you were thinking of?

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/371x285/image_d428e0fb5879a69186c73008bff57807db4451db.jpeg


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/960x640/image_24e238419daddc628ff43a84ef699da94b32f68c.jpeg

[NutLoose]

Excellent.

[gums]

Salute!

Great one and I'll have to put those two in my album.

The one pic of interest I found years ago was taken from the parking area and there were folks in some kinda bleachers. For all I know, coulda been a re-enactment after the mission for the other units on base. It was on my old 'puter that crashed, so I might have a backup someplace on a thumbdrive. will look, as it plainly shows it was taken across the runway from the parking area.

Trust me, we did the Son Tay Raid training here back in 1970 or so, and built a replica of the camp and had to use various methods due to Soviet satellites and such by then. So security is no big deal most of the time. The base is spread out and has numerous aux fields. After 9/11 many roads were closed off, so harder to visit the old, secret sites. The active ones are impossible.

Gums sends...

[tdracer]

Gums
Have you seen 'Doolittle's Raiders: A Final Toast"? It was on Amazon Prime for awhile for free - I think it's a nominal rental charge now.
I literally brought tears to my eyes when I watched it...