[csmkersh]

The last surviving Raider, 101 year old Dick Cole resides in Comfort, Texas.

Dick Cole ? Last of the Doolittle Raiders | HistoryNet

 

[CaptainGyro]

During my years at the Air Force Academy the display case with the silver goblets and the famous bottle of brandy were kept there. In those days most of the goblets, including General Doolittle's, were still upright.

 

[stand watie]

CPT Gyro,

My dad was "in B-17s" & a member of the USAAC during all of WWII, having joined-up on 08DEC1941 & served throughout the World War.

One of the few things that I ever heard him say about events in WWII (Like most WWII veterans, he seldom even mentioned his war service.) was about the obviously joy of both military & civilians persons to the news of The Doolittle Raid.

yours, sw

 

[Skeptic49]

But was the raid worth the estimated 250,000 Chinese civilians killed in retribution for aiding the flyers?

Geoff
Who wonders if that war crime was punished.

 

[stand watie]

Skeptic49,

QUESTION: Since the Japanese military forces & secret police were abusing/raping/torturing/murdering Chinese civilians on a wholesale basis both before/after the raid, do you believe that the raid made any actual difference in the number/frequency of the WAR CRIMES that were committed by the Japanese??

yours, sw

 

[t-star]

I should say not-look at what was going on in nanking at the time- from the date japan invaded china, they regarded the Chinese as less than nothing, which makes me wonder as to what was being taught in their schools in the 20's-30s ,to have such disrespect for fellow man

 

[SpecialEd]

The Chinese lost more people, soldier and civilian alike, than any other country in WWII, except for the Soviet Union. Estimates as high as 20 million. Most by the Japanese who were going to exact their pounds of flesh, one way or another, many by civil war between the Nationalists and the Communists, and many more through starvation. As staggering as it may sound, the 250,000 alleged to have died as retribution for the Doolittle Raid is a mere drop in the proverbial bucket.

Some good books on the topic are The Second World War by Antony Beevor and Stilwell and the American Experience in China by Barbara Tuchman. (yeah we/Roosevelt screwed China too in our own way).

 

[GunGeek]

But was the raid worth the estimated 250,000 Chinese civilians killed in retribution for aiding the flyers?

Geoff
Who wonders if that war crime was punished.

Studied the Japanese war tribunals many years ago. There were an amazing number of Japanese war criminals that were never charged.

 

[TommyGunn]

But was the raid worth the estimated 250,000 Chinese civilians killed in retribution for aiding the flyers?

Geoff
Who wonders if that war crime was punished.

Wait-------WHAT?!? Are you saying we shouldn't have conducted the raid because we ought to have known the Japanese would have used it as an excuse for a massive murder spree?

 

[SpecialEd]

Wait-------WHAT?!? Are you saying we shouldn't have conducted the raid because we ought to have known the Japanese would have used it as an excuse for a massive murder spree?

If that were the case then there would be no "underground" No clandestine raids. No retaliation whatsoever, really.

 

[Tim Burke]

I'm confused. Are we the bad guys because we conducted a limited psyops air raid with minimal damage on a nation that attacked us by surprise, and the Japanese reprisals killed 250,000 Chinese, or are we the bad guys because we dropped two atomic bombs, ending the war started when the Japanese attacked us by surprise?
I'm having a hard time keeping track.
Or am I the bad guy because I care more about the 8 American heroes that were captured by Japan and either starved (one starved to death) or executed?
If it were up to me, I would've issued 80 Medals of Honor for this mission.
General Doolittle is in Arlington.

 

[Tim Burke]

On a local note, the I-26 interchange closest to the Cayce, SC, Country Inn & Suites (customary host hotel for MidCarolina Rifle Club based Gunstocks) is designated the Doolittle Raiders Interchange in honor of them, and in recognition that they trained at the airport there.