Jimmy Doolittle's Greatest Mistake in WWII

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The is the story of how General Jimmy "James" Doolittle flew a forgotten series of combat missions after the Doolittle raid during World War II. These were primarily in his service as commander of the 12th Air Force in North Africa with B-17s, B-26s, B-25s, and Vickers Wellingtons of the Royal Air Force. In addition, we will cover his violation of orders with the "Ultra Secret" and how he and General Arthur Vanaman nearly cost the Allies dearly. This was made using the World War II flight simulator War Thunder - Download free here: playwt.link/tj... Hope you enjoy! Please like, comment, and subscribe. #WW2 #WWIIHistory #WarThunder
RESEARCH SOURCES:
James H. Doolittle Papers, History of Aviation Collection, Special Collections and Archives Division, Eugene McDermott Library, The University of Texas at Dallas.
Research sources in all of my content include the United States National Archives (NARA) - and specifically, Missing Air Crew Reports, as well as combat reports and diaries from various fighter and bomber squadrons. catalog.archiv...
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[@TJ3]

Don't wait until it's too late to take care of your heart health. Head to GetSuperBeets.com and use code TJ3 today for 15% off your order!

[@charlescoker7752]

Add vitamin K2, and Vitamin D3 to the list. They remove plaque from the arteries.

[@TJ3]

Important notes: Sorry guys, at 4:57, I show a November calendar - that is supposed to say November 1942, not 43. That is my bad!

[@briancooper2112]

Opps. Oh well

[@TheGravitywerks]

I Could Never Be So Lucky Again.....great book by General Doolittle

[@daayoungs4326]

Yep! Got it on my nightstand. Great book.

[@TJ3]

Special Research Credit: James H. Doolittle Papers, History of Aviation Collection, Special Collections and Archives Division, Eugene McDermott Library, The University of Texas at Dallas.

[@secretagent86]

My opinion will be unpopular. While i recognize his personal courage, he was irresponsible in risking the Ultra secret. He should have be removed from command as soon as his superiors found out that he flew combat. That he allowed another Ultra person to fly is further evidence of this. Sheer luck the secret was kept. It could have cost hundreds of thousands of lives.

[@briancooper2112]

I see your point. But no one would make him stay grounded.

[@helpdeskjnp]

I understand, however back in those days I believe the generals who were as well known as Dolittle were very popular with the civilians back in the States, and they were rooting for the general, like Patton and the like… getting news out that he was fired, they’d have to explain why he was fired, and that would show something larger exists and the Germans might have figured it out they were compromised. Or something along those lines…

[@narracaodoalemao7759]

I agree.

[@davidlanfranchi8955]

I agree.

[@poil8351]

the could have grounded him and given him a headquarters job in london. honestly if he had been captured with the ultra data it could easily have ended up in the german hands.

[@lil2nerdy645]

General Doolittle's first mission in North Africa (albeit scrubbed) took place exactly 43 years before I was born. Also given all the missions and risks he took I'm surprised no one gave him the nickname General Doomuch.

[@bigblue6917]

Thanks for the video. I knew Doolittle had various commands during WW2 but not that he had flown in so many raids. I can understand why he'd want to take part in these missions but his superiors must have had nightmares everytime he did so.

[@TJ3]

Yep, he was awesome!

[@justinharvey1355]

​@TJ3 Taking the bull by the horns - that's the Doolittle way.

[@SGTSnakeUSMC]

A role model leader!

[@tompaul2591]

​@@SGTSnakeUSMCrare today in any form

[@sailordude2094]

Thanks for the history TJ3! What a combat record after the Tokyo Raid! I had no idea, thanks again! FYI, "Vanaman was imprisoned at Stalag Luft III. In 1945, Nazi officials separated Vanaman and Colonel Delmar T. Spivey from the other prisoners and brought them to Berlin in an attempt to conduct clandestine peace negotiations."

[@TJ3]

@@sailordude2094 thank you!!

[@Marty1833]

@@TJ3 Any plans on doing a video about Capt. Royce Williams? Just learned of his story not too long ago, it’s a shame he never got the credit he deserved until recently. Would be interesting with the quality of work you put into your videos. Cheers

[@joecarroll7087]

This is one of the best channels on KZbin! The research that is done, the in depth explanations, and the manner in which it is presented is unrivaled.

[@TJ3]

Thank you :)

[@zingwilder9989]

General Doolittle was an exceptionally brave and brilliant man, that will never be disputed. However, quite true; he could have been more cautious with the potential for crucial information to be revealed in the event of capture.

[@rsacchi100]

Flying those missions was being very brave with the lives of every allied service member and then some. The British went to great lengths to protect Ultra and here you have an American being reckless with the secret.

[@zingwilder9989]

@@rsacchi100 The war has been over for nearly 80 years.

[@johnschuh8616]

Quite a few generals flew combat flights. These were men of great pride. Douglas MacArthur was so stung by criticisms of his behavior that after the landing on Luzon he was so disturbed by what the Japs were doing in Manila he sought to speed things up by exposing himself to fire. He had often done this during WW1 and now as an old man, he did it again.

[@reugeot9058]

Thanks TJ, that was really interesting. I've been a history buff for a long time and have always considered Dolittle to be one of the great American heros of WWII but I've never heard of him continuing to fly dangerous missions after the Tokyo raid. Mainstream history just tells us that he became the commander of the 8th and that's it. Well now you've really put more perspective on the man's man. Thanks for your great channel!

[@LancelotChan]

Vanaman must be a hero to withhold the secret from the German.

[@zingwilder9989]

Yes he was, but fortunately at that time it appears that the Germans were more interested in peace negotiations.

[@bigblue6917]

This is possibly true. But as the Germans did not know about Ultra they would not think to ask.

[@joeqmix]

"so General Vanaman, got any secrets we should know about?"

[@sfdeliveries76]

Vanaman had a tendency to talk in his sleep.

[@RicktheCrofter]

After leaving the command of the 12th Air Force, Doolittle took command of new 15th Air Force. I don’t remember when, but Doolittle flew as commander of the first American bombing raid over Rome. Later as commander of the 8th Air Force in England, he intended to fly as commander of the first American bombing raid over Berlin. Thus leading the first American bombing raids over all three Axis countries's capitals. But his superiors found out about his intentions and ordered him not to fly on that mission.

[@ericawollmuth5055]

Over the Axis capitals.

[@RicktheCrofter]

@@ericawollmuth5055 Thanks. I fixed it. That is what I meant to write.

[@ValleyProud916]

Even your video shows how unstable the B-26 was. Give me a Mitchell anyday!

[@kevindiel1717]

The B-26 was not unstable......as a matter of fact, one of Doolittle 's first assignments on Hap Arnold's staff was to figure out what was wrong with the B-26. What Doolittle found out was that the training was wrong. He set up new training and that quenched this rumor.

[@mgweible8162]

Jimmie doolittle has been a hero of mine since i first learned about him when i was 11 years old. I appreciate the attention to detail and the hard work you put into your videos TJ. Stay Awesome!

[@TJ3]

Yep, he was awesome for sure!! Thank you

[@justinharvey1355]

Is there a possibility you can make a vid on the German ace Walter Oesau? His story was quite unique in many aspects.

[@jokodihaynes419]

Dolittle was daring that is what we all need to be

[@loganpollock1689]

My father knew a guy named 'Oakey' Reynolds. He flew P-51B's with the famous James H. Howard of the 356th. He said that the March 6th, 1944 raid on Berlin was the first big one for Doolittle and the bomber guys totally fucked it up, but the fighter guys did okay. Doolittle was so frickin' pissed that he sent them back on March 8th, the exact same time, place, everything. The pilots knew they better get it right that time. With Doolittle, no matter how tough it looked those guys would say -'Yes sir! We'll do it, sir!

[@nautifella]

I used to teach computer science at a university during the 90s. My boss's father flew in the 12th Air Force and the 8th Air Force under General Doolittle. He said it was easy to follow a general that is sitting next to you on the missions. When General Doolittle took over the Berlin campaign he requested a handful of pilots from the 12th Air Force. Their first night in England, General Doolittle took them to dinner at the officers club. During their meal, General Eisenhower himself came over and ordered them _"This son-of-a-bitch doesn't leave the ground. I'll have you shot if he does."_ They didn't think he was kidding. The hardest thing General Doolittle did in the war was *NOT* flying missions over Berlin. He was an _Old School_ General. He lead from the front.

[@LawyerPapa]

Jimmy Doolittle would fly even if he had to trap 10,000 dragonflies to his back. He was born under a lucky star, to be a flying stuntman with a 6th sense about the dangers he took on. No other man could do all he had done and live to be 96 years old.

[@JUNKERS488]

Great Video TJ. You never disappoint. Please Keep 'Em Flyin.

[@edmain1137]

Amazing, as a history major and lover of history, this tale was new to me. Thanks

[@TJ3]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@bigblue6917]

Me too. And just like you I have a major interest in history.

[@mikemontgomery2654]

Seeing his uniform on display at the Udvar-Hazy was fantastic.

[@IntrospectorGeneral]

It is often overlooked that Doolittle had, at 29 years of age, earned a Master of Science degree and a doctorate in aeronautical engineering from MIT. At that time there would have been fewer than 100 people in the world with an equivalent level of qualifications. In the year before America entered the war he was tasked with helping auto manufacturers convert their plants to produce aircraft.

[@mikereinhardt4807]

Another great video. I can understand his wanting to be leading his men, especially considering the high loses they were sustaining, but the fact that he knew information that could potentially extend the war and cause untold more casualties should have taken preference...

[@paulsilva3346]

TJ, ARE YOU AWARE THAT THE DOLITTLE RAID WAS FOILED AT MCCLENNaN AFB, in Sacremento, CA.? THE NIGHT BEFORE BOARDING the USS HORNE5...

[@paulsilva3346]

The maintenance Crews reset carburetors on several aircraft back to factory specifications 0:15

[@pablojose4890]

A friend of mine's father flew B-17's over Europe. He told me his dad said Doolittle was cursed by his men for increasing bomber combat sorties in Europe from 25 to 35.

[@alperrin9310]

I read somewhere - but I can't find the reference anymore - that Eisenhower told Doolittle he had to choose between flying or retaining his rank as Lieutenant General. Ike was indeed furious that General Vanaman was allowed to fly a combat mission and grounded General Doolittle for the duration of the war.

[@mattallred5301]

Sooo...Did General Doolittle make the coveted 20 or 25 missions?

[@KyleCowden]

They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks; but you can teach him history.

[@Rom3_29]

Loosing general would been same as Japan loosing their commander Yamato. Doolittle sure testing fate. Man with a mission to win the war alone.

[@joeqmix]

The intercept of Yamamoto was a similar risk for the allies. It could have tipped off the Japanese that their codes had been broken.

[@robertfredrick6565]

I'm a great WW2 nerd, TJ you always come with new stories i haven't heard. love your content. keep up the good work.

[@BobSmith-dk8nw]

There would have been a difference in the casualty rate between North Africa and Northern Europe. The other thing was - that Vanaman being captured - showed - that just because someone with a knowledge of Ultra was captured - it didn't automatically mean the secret would be revealed. I can understand the caution but it isn't surprising that someone with Ultra Knowledge was eventually captured. One thing about Doolittle Flying those Missions - was that at one time Eisenhower told him that he could either fly missions or be a General. I just don't recall exactly when he told him that but it was a factor in the end of his mission flying. .

[@jimpottssoundandvision]

Keep up the great histories!

[@user-us9tb1be5u]

After personnally leading the Tokyo raid he did even more dangerous bombing sorties. Im speechless. He was one hell of a general just like the ancient armies where their generals lead from the front in every battle.

[@defenderoftheadverb]

Hmm, SuperBeets would be more convenient that beet smoothies. I'll look into it.

[@cliffordterry2133]

Your videos are very professional and never disappoint. Thank you!

[@TJ3]

Thank you!!

[@cliffordterry2133]

@@TJ3 No need to thank me. The praise I offered is well deserved.

[@guardianminifarm8005]

Outstanding! Well done. Never heard this before.

[@iskandartaib]

General Officers flying combat missions was supposedly fairly common in the USAAF, though of course not for ones as highly placed as Doolittle. Even in fighters, there would be Generals flying on combat missions. I don't recall the British doing this, the highest ranking operational pilots I have ever heard of (at least in fighters) being Wing Commanders.

[@brucemacallan6831]

More great content. Thanks!!

[@alexius23]

Doolittle, in the prewar years, was a major rest pilot.

[@kevindiel1717]

Your presentation leaves room for improvement. First, he did not return to Washington after the raid as a general. He was promoted layer. Next, his G2 officer does not "command" anyone. They are special staff advisers to the commander. I agree that as the Intelligence office for the unit, he had no reason to be on that flight. Nothing that he could experience in that cockpit would further his understanding of his role as an intelligence officer. I'm sure Doolittle was conflicted about giving his approval given his own past. However, being the commander of a unit does require you to appreciate the chief role of a unit. In his role as a commander of an air force, he needed to know what was going on. I'd he were a commander of a field artillery unit I would expect him to know how things happened when a fire mission came in. Some, like Doolittle, learn this through actual participation. Other commanders learn this through trusted advisors they have appointed. Neither way is better or worse than the other, just different. Lastly, Doolittle DID fly at least one more combat mission. In his autobiography he retells how he in a P51 with 2 escorts flew over the beaches of Normandy on June 6th. After landing back in England he reported to Eisenhower because he was the first one to be able to report back after having "eyes on" the battlefield.

[@Special.Purpose.Weapon]

I absolutely love this channel and all of the hard work that you put into it, TJ. Thank you for all that you do. Another job well done👏 👏

[@TJ3]

Thanks so much for watching. :)

[@old_guard2431]

My uncle flew the B-26 Marauder and that plane was no joke, designed for a more powerful engine that was never delivered. I assume that the combat flight simulator used to illustrate the story is one of the earlier IL-2 Sturmovik versions kept on life support by dedicated volunteer developers.

[@lokiwiseyt8608]

This is not just a flight simulator there are also play able ground and sea units this game is called war thunder and is run by a game company called Gaijin

[@fotograf736]

Germans couldn't believe they had the intel chief of the 8th, and justifiably thought he was a plant dropped on purpose to mislead them. I mean who would be so foolish, right? Btw Doolittle was a barn stormer and a race pilot, already a renown aviator before the war. His character was magnetic. However in retrospect his flying was reckless after a few flights that would be sufficient to have a feel for operations. A tiny speck on an otherwise great man.

[@Harry-wi1id]

Fantastic story as always!! Sorry... but did you use Malta island as a target to create the videos?! 🙂....Did Doolittle ever bombed targets in Sicily, like Messina port, etc?

[@diver11b1p2]

Fascinating piece! However, I would be curious to know exactly when the General was briefed on Ulta and if his combat missions became less frequent after that, or not.

[@TJ3]

From my understanding, I believe it would have been early on - as he was the commander of the 12th AF and the Brits recognized his need for that info.

[@BurtSampson]

Out there with the boys, putting in the work. Based AF.

[@TJ3]

100%

[@waceyseufer7083]

Love your guys' videos!!! Keep them coming! You guys rock! 🤘

[@TJ3]

Thank you :D

[@plunkervillerr1529]

Excellent!

[@mikeseibert4889]

This man had balls of steel he wasnt playing.

[@thewatcher5271]

That Was Really Great! More Aviation History I Did Not Know. Thank You. (Like #683)

[@MGB-learning]

Great video

[@Andy_1961]

Great videos of distinktiv quality ❤

[@TJ3]

Thank you!

[@alexius23]

After VE Day Dolittle & the entire 8th Air Force was in the process of shifting to fight in Asia . The tentative plan had them being stationed in Okinawa

[@kenneth9874]

He should be considered one of the saviors of Britain, it was because of his insistence that high octane fuel was developed before the war.

[@timf6916]

Nice, Good job. I didn’t know about this. Good information. I have seen combat and I will tell you, a good leader would be the first one there and the last one to leave. That’s a good leader in my opinion. Maybe risky but at least you know the man who leads you understands what leadership is and your situation. Way too many leaders sit in the air conditioning room in a big chair and make decisions on their knowledge of what was years prior, not today. Combat situations are a day by day, what we gonna do.

[@buckgulick3968]

Great information and enjoyable video. (But that "side camera angle" during parts of narration is so cringe.)

[@chrisbomboy3206]

Leadership, get you some of that !

[@secretagent86]

Superb channel 👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@ATippePodcast]

@2:30. That would be me!

[@janlindtner305]

👍👍👍

[@TomStarcevich-fb3qo]

Awesome vid 👌 👏 👍

[@markchapman2585]

Awesome channel

[@tundralou]

What luck for Doolittle Vanaman didnt talk

[@Truusjair]

I don't think that the first question to a shot down general would be: 'Do you know if our codes are broken.' Whats the problem? That you lose an experienced man that knows about plans and setting up tactics and inspires people etc.. You are making sth. out of nothing.

[@ricardocorbie6803]

This Gentleman was the consummate officer and combat leader, and while he shouldn’t have flown in these missions, I would follow him to hell and back as he put his money where his mouth is,, after all he took the same risks as his men,, such courage and Balls,, well his men were highly motivated to see the boss behind the stick!! Such leadership is always paramount!! I love leaders such as this fine gentleman!! Rest in peace ancient warrior!!🙏🏿🙏🏿

[@SoloRenegade]

Doolittle also flew his own P-38 over Europe

[@TheGravitywerks]

Oops, thank you for another great video!

[@TJ3]

Thank you!

[@matrox]

Gen Art Vanaman survives the war, makes it home and dies in 1987 at age 95.✊😣

[@bernhardecklin7005]

Nothing against Doolittle, on the contrary! But the fact that Eaker was pushed aside to put him in charge of the 8th Air Force was an unnecessary and scandalous move by the ungrateful Arnold. He let Eaker build the 8th Air Force out of nothing, shoulder the enormously heavy build-up, take the rap for the problems (which Arnold had helped to cause)...and when light finally appeared on the horizon, he shunted him off to the 12th Air Force. In doing so, Arnold lost any chance of gaining a reputation as a prudent and loyal superior for all time!

[@joehayward2631]

What im going to write many will not like. We all need to put our brains back to WW2, NOT NOW, huge massive differences. From generalS, Admirals,President of the USA sons(one help to start Marine Raiders)Royals, super rich, rich movie stars we can keep going with the list. All if caught it would be a nightmare. So many of the above forced there ways into combat. People back then is more tough, citizens that will not take advantage of there status like the worthless now. Not going into combat would have devastated, destroyed there honor.

[@kwsbike]

the most important person in the entire Army? quite a claim!

[@binyominsilverman1592]

Note. He never flew with the 100th

[@raymondyee2008]

Well that might sting a bit for Dolittle fanboys.

[@charlesgreene9467]

Balls the size of coconuts.

[@HornetCinematics]

OOOOHHHHHHHHHHH

[@marcoosvald8429]

Lead by Example.

[@talkingfish2382]

Discord link broken?

[@flypawels]

👍

[@michalmisio64]

English didn’t brake the enigma code Polish did it . Keep learning

[@briantaylor6562]

👍🇺🇸

[@FozzyZ28]

😁😁👍👌

[@brucepoole8552]

Did the germans realize they had captured a general?

[@zingwilder9989]

Yes.

[@brucepoole8552]

@@zingwilder9989 Im surprised they didnt torture info out of him

[@PaxAlotin-j6r]

Yes -- they sent him to Berlin in the hope he might be able to assist in some sort of peace negotiations.

[@zingwilder9989]

@@brucepoole8552 Yes and there was a strong possibility that he could have been, especially under management of the SS. However, with an Allied foothold already established at Normandy and the Soviet Union marching rapidly from the east; the Wehrmacht knew it was just a matter of time.

[@brucepoole8552]

@@zingwilder9989 makes sense thank you

[@nikshmenga]

He didn't really do a lot

[@Tadrjbs]

TJ, good video, however, OK, your not ugly but the biggest video rule. Keep talking head portions to zero if you can. Better to put up subject matter while you narrate. ❤

[@TJ3]

Haha trust me, I don't love being on camera. But my community voted, overwhelmingly, that they want to see more of it!

[@alexius23]

🧑‍✈👩‍✈🧙‍♂

[@alexius23]

⭐💫✨🌟🧙‍♂

[@danodime3560]

No offense but this one was kinda dry boring to sit and listen to

[@danielclermont4631]

A t4ue a

[@johanlabuschagne1061]

Stop talking about all the crap and get to the vidio

[@richrdfieroii]

POOR JIMMY, when he landed IN CHINA, he landed in a CEESPOOL ! That's RIGHT ! he parachuted in the DARK OF NIGHT ! OUT of his B-25 & Landed in HUMAN WASTE !

[@ericawollmuth5055]

Why a leather jacket inside Dorko?

[@mikereinhardt4807]

Another great video. I can understand his wanting to be leading his men, especially considering the high loses they were sustaining, but the fact that he knew information that could potentially extend the war and cause untold more casualties should have taken preference...