the ringo kid
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Speaking of Waldron,there are a couple of places named after him here in Corpus.One is Waldron Road--which is one of the roads that leads to NASCC.
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30 Seconds Over Tokyo
- Thread starter GatorFarmer
- Start date
Speaking of Waldron,there are a couple of places named after him here in Corpus.One is Waldron Road--which is one of the roads that leads to NASCC.
Ray
Member
I´ve got a copy from a 1944 edition, much like the one pictured above.It´s signed by, I presume the previous owner, and dated - Texas 12- 44.
I wonder how this book landed in Brazil.
Regards, Ray
I wonder how this book landed in Brazil.
Regards, Ray
Memorial Day tribute
I've written all this before, but the recent 3-part MC show about the raid mentioned that, of the 60-odd raiders who returned, some 16-17 (perhaps I'm off a bit) gave their lives on later operations. If it was a 'publicity stunt,' I doubt that any other publicity stunt required such courage and determination to carry off.
There is a neglected Korean War memorial in Brooklyn, NYC which lists the names of 370-odd servicemen from that borough alone who gave their lives in that conflict. And the In Memoriam page of the Harvard yearbook of 1945 lists the names of, I believe, 30 members of that class who gave their lives and never received their diplomas. Also, the plaque in the escalator lobby of Macy's department store in NYC which lists the names of Macy's employees killed in action in WWII.
We should never forget such people. Unfortunately, many do not care to know.
Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
I've written all this before, but the recent 3-part MC show about the raid mentioned that, of the 60-odd raiders who returned, some 16-17 (perhaps I'm off a bit) gave their lives on later operations. If it was a 'publicity stunt,' I doubt that any other publicity stunt required such courage and determination to carry off.
There is a neglected Korean War memorial in Brooklyn, NYC which lists the names of 370-odd servicemen from that borough alone who gave their lives in that conflict. And the In Memoriam page of the Harvard yearbook of 1945 lists the names of, I believe, 30 members of that class who gave their lives and never received their diplomas. Also, the plaque in the escalator lobby of Macy's department store in NYC which lists the names of Macy's employees killed in action in WWII.
We should never forget such people. Unfortunately, many do not care to know.
Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
cmort666
Member
Sometimes a "publicity stunt" is exactly what's called for.
In terms of physical damage, the raid didn't shorten the war by an hour. In terms of sowing division, and harming morale in Japan it was priceless. The Japanese military could hide the results of Midway (in fact, the Imperial Japanese Navy hid the results from the Imperial Japanese Army for the better part of a year). They couldn't hide a bombing raid on Tokyo that they promised would never happen, either from the public or the Emperor.
Coming SO soon after Pearl Harbor, it validated EVERY warning that Yamamoto offered before the war.
I should have chosen words more respectful of the air crews. As I see it the raid was primarily to boost the moral of U.S. service men and the general public after our asses were whipped all across the South Pacific. With that as a goal it was a great success. I’m also sure the politicians wanted to salvage a little of their image or popularity with voters. The only thing I’ve read attributed to the raid militarily was Japan kept more AA cannons and artillery crews to fire them on their main islands.
It was Larson who wrote he flew past a large aircraft carrier anchored in Tokyo Bay. I intended to ask if anyone knew the movements of IJN carriers well enough to say whether that could have happened or not. I’m sure “da gobernment big wheels” influenced what he wrote in regards to target damage, etc. so that the raid could have the best affect on morale.
Anyhow, it’s too bad Halsey wouldn’t hold course longer.
It was Larson who wrote he flew past a large aircraft carrier anchored in Tokyo Bay. I intended to ask if anyone knew the movements of IJN carriers well enough to say whether that could have happened or not. I’m sure “da gobernment big wheels” influenced what he wrote in regards to target damage, etc. so that the raid could have the best affect on morale.
Anyhow, it’s too bad Halsey wouldn’t hold course longer.
OP
GatorFarmer
Member
Ray
Member
GatorFarmer_ Yes that´s possible, but I would like to be able to decipher the signature on it.One interesting aspect that does not appears in the movie but Lawson cites, is that on his trip back to the States their plane made several stops for refuelling and one was in Balem - Para a northern state in Brazil.They stayed in the Grand Hotel and walked around.I know the place and once stayed in this very same hotel.
Regards, Ray
Regards, Ray
Mickey D
Member
THE PILGRIM
Member
Brazil was a solid Ally in WWII. About the only South American country which was. Our main base was in Natal.
As I have reported before my FIL was stationed in Africa and did met Jimmy Doolittle on his way back from the raid.
As I have reported before my FIL was stationed in Africa and did met Jimmy Doolittle on his way back from the raid.
Real deal. 1937 Colt GM that was sent to Argentine Navy.
Nice old warhorse. Those SA Colts are getting expensive. Been looking for one for awhile but never could find one in decent shape. Ended up buying a new 01991 gov't model that looks similar but still not quite as good as yours. I hope you shoot it.
In 1992, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the raid, aviation artist Robert Taylor released a lithograph of his painting entitled "The Doolittle Tokyo Raiders", which was signed by Jimmy Doolittle and 13 of the surviving raiders. I am privileged to own #116 out of 1000 copies printed... 
Doolittle was an amazing man! Addressing his crews before the raid, he told them that at age 46, he had lived a good, long, life, was prepared to die for his country, and would not be taken prisoner; if his plane was disabled by enemy fire, he would have his crew bail out, and would then aim the B-25 for a military target. Little did he know he'd lived less than half his life at that point!
The Doolittle Tokyo Raiders by Robert Taylor (B-25 Mitchell)
Doolittle was an amazing man! Addressing his crews before the raid, he told them that at age 46, he had lived a good, long, life, was prepared to die for his country, and would not be taken prisoner; if his plane was disabled by enemy fire, he would have his crew bail out, and would then aim the B-25 for a military target. Little did he know he'd lived less than half his life at that point!
The Doolittle Tokyo Raiders by Robert Taylor (B-25 Mitchell)
I have read Jimmy Doolittle's book" I could never be so lucky again" many times. A wonderful story& that describes the trials & troubles of preparing for the raid. Very interesting read.
Texas Star
US Veteran
You're confusing me. What you said about Brazil is true, and I think they may have a city named Natal. (Is Ray in Rio de Janeiro still reading this thread?)
But you then mention Africa, an ocean away, where in South Africa, there is a province called Natal. I think the new PC name is KwaZulu - Natal. If member Stirling in Cape Town sees this, he may confirm or correct that spelling. It's the province where Durban is located. CBS Chief Foreign Correspondent Lara Logan is from there. That's why she talks funny.
(Actually, I love her accent.) I think Port Elizabeth is also in Natal.In WWII, the then-Union of South Africa was also a US ally, as were most or all of the Commonwealth countries. South Africa remained a good ally in Korea, too, with their pilots flying Mustang and Sabre fighters in their own national colors. Even after leaving the Commonwealth in 1960, South Africa was in general an ally.
I'm not clear why your FIL was in Africa. Was he in Natal? Where? Durban? What was he doing down there? South African forces fought mainly in Ethiopia, North Africa, and in Italy.
Sorry to ask, but I just don't fully understand your post.
Where in Africa did he meet Doolittle?BTW, one of the worst shark attack disasters occurred off South Africa when a ship carrying mainly Italian POW's to S. Africa was sunk and sharks swarmed the survivors. The result was much as when the USS Indianapolis was sunk.
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THE PILGRIM
Member
You're confusing me. What you said about Brazil is true, and I think they may have a city named Natal. (Is Ray in Rio de Janeiro still reading this thread?)
But you then mention Africa, an ocean away, where in South Africa, there is a province called Natal. I think the new PC name is KwaZulu - Natal. If member Stirling in Cape Town sees this, he may confirm or correct that spelling. It's the province where Durban is located. CBS Chief Foreign Correspondent Lara Logan is from there. That's why she talks funny.
In WWII, the then-Union of South Africa was also a US ally, as were most or all of the Commonwealth countries. South Africa remained a good ally in Korea, too, with their pilots flying Mustang and Sabre fighters in their own national colors. Even after leaving the Commonwealth in 1960, South Africa was in general an ally.
I'm not clear why your FIL was in Africa. Was he in Natal? Where? Durban? What was he doing down there? South African forces fought mainly in Ethiopia, North Africa, and in Italy.
Sorry to ask, but I just don't fully understand your post.
Let me try to de-confuse you. My FIL was a Army Air Corp Doctor.
Natal, Brazil is out on the hump of Brazil, making it our closest base for flights across the South Atlantic to Africa.
My FIL went over on a Pan American Flying Boat. Part of the time he was in Africa, he was in Roberts Field, Liberia. Remember my feral cow shooting thread? That was in Roberts Field, Liberia.
We were flying rubber from the nearby Firestone Plantations in B-24s across to Natal. The synthetic rubber was coming online, but we still needed natural rubber.
When Jimmy Doolittle was returning stateside, the Nippers had the Pacific closed. The Nazis had Europe blocked. So he went West and kept South, through Africa. Then over to Natal and up to the U.S.
The route through Natal was used to ferry aircraft to Africa and eventually Italy. The Navy also operated out of Brazil and patrolled the S Atlantic.
Brazil was hands down our most important and reliable South American WWII Ally and certainly desires more recognition than they have received.
MEMORIES OF WORLD WAR II IN NATAL, BRAZIL | TOK de HISTÓRIA
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Atlantic_air_ferry_route_in_World_War_II
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Texas Star
US Veteran
Thanks. Got it now. Natal in Brazil, not Natal in South Africa. The African connection was up in Liberia. I didn't see your cow shooting thread.
And I know that Brazil supplied troops and planes in Italy and in (I think) the Philippines. (P-47's).
Mexico also sent some P-47 pilots, but is not in S. America.
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cmort666
Member
While there was pro-German sentiment in both World Wars, the South Africans stuck with the Commonwealth.
An interesting note is that to the best of my recollection, the SAAF was the only Allied air force flying the Junkers Ju-86 bomber. Originally flying with diesel engines, it was a technological dead end quickly eclipsed in German service by the He-111 and Ju-88.
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Ray
Member
I read the book as a teenage kid and was duly impressed with the bravery and skill required to accomplish the mission of getting the planes off the deck of an aircraft carrier let alone bomb mainland Japan. I have to agree that it was more a moral victory than a real attempt to cause severe damage.
I was a little suprised that noone mentioned the Brazilian contract of Model 1917 .45 H.E. pistols for use of their troops during WWII, I'm currently working a deal to secure one of these fine pistols for my personal use.
I was a little suprised that noone mentioned the Brazilian contract of Model 1917 .45 H.E. pistols for use of their troops during WWII, I'm currently working a deal to secure one of these fine pistols for my personal use.
