Doolittle Raid

A daring raid of aircraft-carrier launched American bombers on Tokyo in April 1942. Plans for a precision-targeted campaign had to be abandoned at the last minute owing to unexpected obstacles, but the sixteen planes that took part succeeded in destroying military and industrial targets all over the city.

Etymology: The incident is named for Lt. Col. James H. Doolittle, leader of the squadron.

See the Introduction, Abbreviations and Pronunciation for further details.