1942 - USS Hornet (CV 8) launches Doolittle's Army bombers for the first attack on Japan.

Doolittle Raid on Japan, 18 April 1942

BoatsBM1

Coincidence ????? April 18, 1775 Lexington & Concord, "The shot heard 'round the world", The War for Independance.

It's also the day (in 1943) that Yamamoto received his payback, courtesy of "Magic" and P-38's of the 339th Fighter Squadron, 347th Fighter Group.

The guys involved in that little action are STILL fighting over "WHO" really shot the man down. Most are dead now, but they castigated the career of one of the gents who claimed he shot down Yamamoto or desputed the claims. What a bunch of wolves!
But that's the Army and The Air Force doing the scene.

From what I've read, a lot of the bickering was brought on by Lanphier himself as he initially claimed (and maintained for a number of years) that he alone should have received full credit for Yamamoto's bomber. Naturally, that didn't sit well with Rex Barber, who also claimed the bomber which crashed into the jungle. If I'm not mistaken, a third pilot also claimed credit for it while no one claimed the bomber carrying Yamamoto's Chief of Staff, which crashed into the sea. As Japanese records have always maintained there were only two bombers involved, sorting out who-did-what-to-whom became a major headache and made for some intense behind-the-scenes exchanges.

The Air Force's answer in giving Lanphier and Barber equal credit in the shoot-down did nothing to settle the controversy and I doubt we'll ever know with any absolute certainty. As far as I'm concerned, every pilot involved in the mission contributed equally to it's success.

Absolutely partner! I agree with you. But sometimes, and we know how it can be, you get the "Good Old Boys" network of buddies and chumms and people suffer needlessly.

quote:

Originally posted by USNVet940: From what I've read, a lot of the bickering was brought on by Lanphier himself as he initially claimed (and maintained for a number of years) that he alone should have received full credit for Yamamoto's bomber. Naturally, that didn't sit well with Rex Barber, who also claimed the bomber which crashed into the jungle.

I remember reading somewhere many years ago when I was boring holes in the sky that Barber and Lanphier ended up getting into a fist fight at a reunion of either the 339th FS or 347th FG. I read it in air classics I believe.

Anyway, my biggest question is, how do you say WTF!!!! In Japanese, just micro seconds before all those .50 cal and 20mm rounds start slamming into the sheet metal of your Betty Bomber or Zero fighter?
OH, PS, I also remember that the pilot of the second Betty decided to pan cake his bomber into the ocean while he still had a chance. And Yamamoto’s CofS was pretty shook up also. I also wonder what ever happened to the surviving Zero pilots when they finally landed?

quote:

I remember reading somewhere many years ago when I was boring holes in the sky that Barber and Lanphier ended up getting into a fist fight at a reunion of either the 339th FS or 347th FG. I read it in air classics I believe.

That's the first time I've heard about that particular incident but, considering how intense the debate became (and the fact that Barber even took the case to court at one point), it wouldn't surprise me. I recall reading in Carroll Glines book, "Attack On Yamamoto", that examinations of the shell holes in the aircraft from researchers to the site and from photos/videotape sent to aeronautical engineers, supported Barber's report of the action and his claim but it apparently wasn't enough to have the Air Force call for a review board to change the victory claims.

No matter what, one hell of a "Hit" and excellent leadership and low level Pilotage skills by Major John W. Mitchell, Commander of the 339th FS…