How America Took Revenge On Japan For Pearl Harbour | Wings Of A Warrior

The true story of legendary flying pioneer, American hero and Congressional Medal of Honor winner Jimmy Doolittle is told with incredible insight by filmmaker/host Gardner Doolittle. Starting in Nome, Alaska (1905) “Wings of a Warrior” spans Doolittle’s life in close detail. From joining the Signal Reserve Corps Aviation Section (1919) through his record breaking 1922 coast to coast flight, Doctorate at MIT, development of “instrument only” flying, military roles in the Invasion of Normandy and his incredible role in the raid on Tokyo. Includes exhilarating archival footage and tells the Jimmy Doolittle story like it’s never been told before.
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[@TimelineChannel]

What if the RAF had lost the Battle of Britain? Would the Brits have been overrun? Would the Nazis have won the Second World War? Top historians debate one of the biggest what-ifs in history: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZKrY2CdZZmWf6M

[@Difficultfuckhead]

I bet these "top historians" argue that the original British were black.

[@paulusromanus77]

You do realize that Germany won the war, do you? Look where is Germany comparing even with the USA.

[@eastockerable]

See the fictional novel: SS GB......

[@Isawwhatyoudid]

@@Difficultfuckhead wtf has that got to do with the question posed by Timeline?

[@Isawwhatyoudid]

We may have never heard of The Beatles....

[@warrensmith2902]

I could never be so lucky again - James Harold Doolittle is a fantastic autobiography. And that does not even begin to tell his incredible story.

[@ChacoteOutdoorRecreation]

Truly better men once walked this earth, buried six feet under at the VA cemetery they still stand ten feet tall in my eyes.

[@patrioticaussiesams8581]

They went with songs to the Battle they were straight of limb true of eye steady and a glow, Staunch to end against odds uncounted and Fell with their faces to the foe. They shall not grow old as as we that are left grow old, age shall not wear them nor the years condemn at the going down of the sun and in the morning we will Remember them #LestweForget #RemembertheFallen #WewillRememberthem. Words Spoke at Aussie ANZAC Day April 25th Dawn services across the Country. It's Called 'The Ode'

[@frankpienkosky5688]

a trip to Arlington is well worth your time....shows the true cost of war....

[@KidDynamite6]

better isnt the word of this current gen of war fighting age fought the war we would be speaking german and japanese..these men were leaps and bounds even in masculinity..a average male in the 40s at age 20 had a testosterone level nearing 900 now its 3-400 tells you everything you need to know thats why they are so soft

[@yqwgjsg]

I wore the uniform and I can tell you I question if I would have had the courage this generation had. I think I would have but the test is in the pudding. Thank God that men like these existed when men like this were needed.

[@yqwgjsg]

What stills amazes me is that when I joined the Air Force, the very first classroom lesson we were taught was about Billy Mitchell. The man who was court marshaled for disobeying orders to prove his ideas. On one hand they stressed following orders and respect for the chain of command and on the other they seemed to be teaching that being true to your beliefs was more important. To this day I struggle to reconcile the two ideas.

[@melissasd868]

Jimmy Doolittle is my relative and I've always been proud to say that!! What a brave man!

[@kingkoopa5807]

Stop lying

[@simonrisley2177]

Not to decry Doolittle's achievements, but any documentary that flags him -- or anyone else -- as "the greatest flyer who ever lived" has to be somewhat suspect. And this, I fear was was further reinforced by the fulsome commentary that followed. (But then we are talking about the country that invented, and is addicted to, "Superheroes". So why am I not entirely surprised?)

[@RubyBandUSA]

Melissa, how are Gardner Doolittle and Jimmy Doolittle related?

[@larryzigler6812]

@@RubyBandUSA Very proud to say that I'm related to Jimmy Doolittle's gardener!

[@melissasd868]

@@RubyBandUSA distant cousin I think-Jimmy is my Grandfather's 2nd cousin. so he is a distant relative.

[@Tahoebronco]

I most thoroughly enjoyed this documentary.

[@The_Bermuda_Nonagon]

One of the not huge number of people who flew the Gee Bee R-1 racing plane in an air race and lived. Skills.

[@graemesmith2742]

This would bee the best documentary I’ve seen on Jimmy Doolittle. I’ve watched many items on him and l learned more in this in depth documentary . Having his grandson hosting this is probably why.

[@jkorshak]

There's a documentary made in the mid 1980's called, "Wings Over Water." It's about the rise of Naval Aviation, and it is excellent. Doolittle is interviewed in it, specifically about the Tokyo Raid. He mentions the men lost on the raid by name, blinks, then breaks eye contact with the interviewer. Clearly emotional about it.

[@riffdigger2133]

Great comment

[@andymcintosh2796]

thank you for this ! lead by example ...a lesson i learned along time ago . A grateful nation thanks him and his family for their sacrifices

[@369V52]

Well Done! This was a Great Compilation of a remarkable, historical Aviator and Leader. I learned a lot more about one of America's Leaders, a True Hero that lead from the Front. Jimmy Doolittle was a remarkable man, that truly lived and experienced life, pushing himself to the limit and then pushing through the limits.

[@marbleman52]

I am 70 and I have known about the Doolittle Raid since at least High School. I have watched documentaries about the famous raid and about the secret training the flyers went through, the stripping down the B-25 so it could carry as much fuel as possible, and other information about the training, but I knew very little about Jimmy Doolittle's own upbringing. This video was great and I learned so much about the younger Doolittle. I was really surprised to learn that he earned a PhD at MIT...wow...!! And I really enjoyed seeing and listening to Gardner Doolittle, the Grandson of Jimmy talk about his Grandfather. I did however hear something that was not correct, and it was the flight from Canada to Mexico City. Gardner said that Jimmy had to cross over the Andes Mountains on the way to Mexico City. The Andes Mountains are not between Canada and Mexico City, they are in South America and along the West coast of S. America. So, I can only assume that maybe the writer got his geography mixed up, or Gardner got his geography mixed up and didn't realize what he was saying, or perhaps Jimmy did fly over the Andes but on another flight...??? But this does not in any way whatsoever affect the incredible things that Jimmy did as a flyer.

[@frankpienkosky5688]

yeah, probably meant the Sierra's...most of them aren't that high....

[@tomt373]

His speaking voice not being the most clear, his pronunciation's are not always clear in this narrative, so maybe figure it was easier on him to say "Andes'" then Sierra's". 😆

[@gordonames1892]

In the early 60s, was in the 5th grade. My favorite book was 30 SECONDS OVER TOKYO. DID SEVERAL BOOK REPORTS.

[@sharonwhiteley6510]

General Doolittle, should be a role model for our younger generation.

[@davidaitchison3282]

I was well aware of the various trophies and awards mentioned in the presentation, however, I was surprised to see that James Dolittle had won so many awards and set so many records. A remarkable set of achievements for a remarkable man.

[@samnorth01]

Excellent Documentary of a Great Man.. The visuals are incredible.

[@calebshuler1789]

He volunteered to lead this, he VOLUNTEERED to join the war effort. To me, hes everything that epitomizes a Hero

[@frankpienkosky5688]

sure crashed a lot of planes, though....having a guy like that around could get expensive!

[@GhostTemplar117]

Less then 1% of the American population "volunteer" to protect home. I'm proud to have serve with them.

[@calebshuler1789]

@@GhostTemplar117 Im just an Aviation fanatic and love Doolittle

[@GhostTemplar117]

@@calebshuler1789 My friend he did so much for avaition. I completely understand.

[@cacornhusker2940]

i shed a tear seeing him with Reagan and being promoted to a 4-Star General. Long time coming and often overlooked because he spoke his mind and never waivered. You are so right...the epitomy of a Hero.

[@alanmoffat4454]

THIS HAS BEEN WORTH WATCHING THANKS .

[@morenofranco9235]

Gen. Doolittle was a phenomenal leader. Thanks for the expose.

[@raymondlucero4999]

Our country may have been founded by our forefathers but it is our veterans who sustain it! Its because of those brave men and women past and present that we have a great country to call home. Thank you very much to all of you brave souls. And to those who have past. May your place in heaven would have been earned on your bravery and sacrifice alone.

[@lessmith1409]

I met General Dootlittle and his wife in 1970 in California.

[@paulshaffer9674]

My mother knew one of the bombardier on his raid. She met him at Ryan Field. The training base West of Tucson Arizona.

[@ZingaraJoe]

A really great history of a great American. A many faceted man illustrated with interesting detail by a distant family relative. An enjoyable way to spend a couple hours and refresh your American history at the same time.

[@peterwinspear437]

A Fearless Hero

[@lloydbaldwin974]

With a name like Doolittle he did a lot.

[@OzzieWozzieOriginal]

He also had little probability of dying many times from his stupit antics

[@johnemerson1363]

I read that when Doolittle was six years old one of his teachers told him that he was so small that he would never amount anything. Boy was she wrong. He wasn't that tall, but he still casts a giant shadow!

[@bigdaddy7119]

Ozzie Wozzie Original WTF are you yapping about?

[@OzzieWozzieOriginal]

@@bigdaddy7119 Same as you yapping in internet youtube, kekekekekeke

[@frankpienkosky5688]

@@OzzieWozzieOriginal flyers are a cocky bunch....

[@geoffdearth7360]

A helluva man. I wish I had gotten his autograph when I had the chance. Just because of his greatness rubbing off on me.

[@1960HikerDude]

Wow! What an amazing life and legacy.

[@markwaghorn]

Doolittle more like Dooalot what an amazing human being

[@gperk4723]

WOW! WHAT A HERO! ONE BADASS COMRADE RIGHT THERE. 🙏✌

[@calebshuler1789]

In my opinion, maybe bravest man to ever live. Jimmy Doolittle.

[@frankpienkosky5688]

some luck involved...the strong headwind that made taking off much easier...and the tailwind that allowed them to reach china.....

[@12resist]

Doolittle and his men are real heroes! Thank you for this docu!!!!

[@BA-gn3qb]

Title should be: Biography - James Doolittle Not just the Doolittle Raid. Which I was hoping for a full in depth video on it.

[@dallyjacobson2146]

That was wonderful. I am an Australian but I truly love America. I pray God saves you from your present problems.

[@catfish252]

Thanks Dally, Australia has always been a true and loyal ally.

[@Oscuros]

Yes, God wanted those Japanese women and children to be firebombed n their wooden homes. Really. What kind of fake Christian even is that.

[@robertsettle2590]

@@Oscuros your the real phoney!!!

[@jadenhiggins7167]

Americans love their Australian friend across the ocean💯

[@larryzigler6812]

@Houseboater And TRUMPS treason.

[@johnnydelgado8614]

Talk about a real HERO, MY GOD HOW GRACEFUL..

[@Ozplatelickerscovidcon]

Thank you, well put together

[@keithcarter9396]

Thanks for posting this, I never knew the full history of Jimmy Doolittle, what a hero. Many hero's were made through war years but who achieved more than Jim.

[@bluetopguitar1104]

Doolittles autobiography is a good read.

[@kdkpt]

WOW! He was one of the most accomplished pilots, Americans, and humans EVER.

[@larryzigler6812]

John Denver was better.

[@timpost2981]

@@larryzigler6812 ok

[@tomshea8229]

I was so fortunate to attend a dinner with surviving members in Columbia, SC back in the mid 80's

[@CD-gh4oc]

This dude was a BADASS! How many people get to live THAT life and then live to 96 to tell the tale?!.. With video proof! ..Ultimate Grandpa goals..

[@georgecoman5342]

What a brave American and patriot man !!! USA #1

[@countrysamurai]

I got to see Gen. Doolittle in 1986, in Las Vegas. I have also met about 20 of the Doolittle Raiders and widows of the Raiders. They were all, a very rare breed.

[@Perktube1]

The greatest generation.

[@larryzigler6812]

@@Perktube1 All generations have there great

[@JohnSmith-eu3ql]

This reminds me of Pappy and the Black Sheep

[@blakena4907]

So, Doolittle was a certified badass. Good to know.

[@rocketranger1000]

Nothing like an unbiased history

[@noelespirtu8165]

Excellent doc

[@davidralph9652]

Walk by his house in ft smith all the time they really keep it up

[@baileyjones7923]

Thanks for all the positive responses. My granddaddy was pilot of plane #13 that took off the USS Hornet. Lucky 13 all of my grandfathers crew returned. Doolittle was convinced he would be court martialed as a mission failure. How wrong he was!!

[@frankpienkosky5688]

the ultimate moral victory...huge morale booster....and it really shook up Japan....

[@fog137]

Bombardier Jacob DeShazer of plane #16 was my youth leader as a little girl. He led Mitsuo Fuchida, the man who organized and led the attack on Pearl Harbor, to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The two of them became friends and remained that way until their deaths. I learned of his significance in history over thirty years later when he met my children. Jacob was from my own state and attended my church when he was not being a missionary in Japan.

[@calebshuler1789]

Someday in Heaven, i cant wait to meet Jimmy

[@cacornhusker2940]

What an Amazing Life, What an Amaziing Pioneer of Airplane Technology and What an Amazing Hero to Americans and People from around the World. Thanks for Sharing his Amazing Life Story of Courage, Daring and Heroism....and being a Devoted Husband and Father.

[@martingannon132]

I'd always wondered what it would have been like to go on that Doolittle raid. Taking off of a pitching deck in gail force wind's . Then flying 800 miles to your target, hopefully Tokyo and releasing your bombs. Then keep flying and hoping you reach the Chinese coast before you run out of gas. What are ride!!!!!

[@frankpienkosky5688]

desperate times require desperate measures....

[@Mr20gormenghast]

I remember the day he was buried at Arlington, I was in the parking lot of the McDonalds at Rte. 50 and Glebe Rd. and I think I saw every type of plane the U.S. Air Force had fly over.

[@haroldmclean3755]

What A Giant 👍 100% Respect

[@thebonesaw..4634]

23:27 - More mind boggling than going from the Jenny to the B-25 Mitchell in only 20 years, is going from the P-51 to the F-104 Starfighter or the B-36 Peacemaker to the B-58 Hustler in only 10 years. The Starfighter and the Hustler look like planes that someone would think had been invented in the late 1960s... not 1955 and '56 respectively.

[@jeromebarry1741]

B-1 was designed in the 1970's. More Wow!

[@riffdigger2133]

Having read Jimmy’s autobiography, I COULD NEVER BE SO LUCKY AGAIN- (mentioned to me by John Lear) I found it cumbersome, yet I loved it. This documentary is like true Cliff Notes for the book. I am now going to re-read it, using the dates and events in this doco. I recommend finding the paperback and going through it yourself- very worthwhile.

[@sailingstpommedeterre4905]

I also read this wonderful biography, in the mid-1990s. I was an just starting out as an aerospace engineer at that time; and after reading the book, I began telling everyone around me about Jimmy Doolittle's life. I found it disappointing that they (my co-workers at the time) knew nothing of this aviation legend, except for the tokyo raid. Almost 30-years later, I am still astonished by Jimmy Doolittle's amazing life. I enjoyed reading every page of the book, and this Timeline Documentary follows the book. But, like all other books, they are much better than the movie.

[@loythomas4586]

Very well done,James H.DOOLITTLE WAS SUCH A MAN THAT HAD THE U.S OF A.HAD NOT THE GOOD FORTUNE TO HAVE HIM IN ITS MILITARY SERVICE,I WONDER THAT THE WAR MY HAVE TURNED OUT DIFFERENTLY!

[@Quadrenaro]

I lived on an abandoned WW1 airfield when I was a kid. I never thought much about it, but just looked it up and found out Doolittle flew out of it once.

[@larryzigler6812]

Where was this?

[@Quadrenaro]

@@larryzigler6812 Down in Florida.

[@larryzigler6812]

@@Quadrenaro Panhandle ?

[@Quadrenaro]

@@larryzigler6812 Nope.

[@larryzigler6812]

@@Quadrenaro Gooberville ?

[@yoyohooyo]

This is the best video I've seen but the other guys were great also

[@miamijules2149]

Young Jimmy Dolittle was a death incarnate! Wow! No way they would let this guy ANYWHERE NEAR a plane these days. P.S. Watching this makes me sad.... nostalgic for the days when this country was (relatively) unified, optimistic, and accomplishing great achievements.

[@tonylam9548]

Planes being much more expensive today, after his second wreck, he would have been transferred to Nome,Alaska , as the resident butterfly control officer.

[@genesauter4755]

Thanks to all who had the balls to defend this country my dad served in ww2. Navy.

[@davidfitzgeraldva]

Great look at this. There was a book years ago called "30 seconds over Tokyo" that parallels this.

[@frankpienkosky5688]

see the movie....although Doolittle was in a supporting role...it's the story of "The Ruptured Duck" and the pilot who lost his leg....

[@calebshuler1789]

THESE STORIES AND MANY, MANY MORE NEED PASSED DOWN TO THE AMERICAN YOUTH TODAY

[@frankpienkosky5688]

seems like all they hear about is how we're losing....

[@corneliawissing7950]

Would love to watch/listen to this, but sound is inaudible.

[@corneliawissing7950]

@Dylan Scott , Normally, at 78, I do, but now with Covid-19, the routines at the consulting rooms have changed.

[@who-gives-a-toss_Bear]

Great show, please fix the sound.

[@subthousandoaks]

Thank you!

[@bbrf033]

I. Found uutt that I knew very little about this great man

[@Isawwhatyoudid]

10:25 Notice how its been stated a few times how the Doolittle family was poor yet the son who is described as anything but studious goes on to University of California to study engineering. College was once free for the purpose of the common good. Nothing but good can come from a more educated populace. Imagine if Doolittle and other heroes of the early 20th century (military, cultural, academic etc) could only access higher education if they took on crippling debt, would banks have even engaged in such lending back then?

[@frankpienkosky5688]

back then colleges were choosy...and not in it for the money....

[@fog137]

College was not free.

[@samshepperrd]

Doolittle has to be the major inspiring figure behind the Top Gun movies played by Tom Cruise. He fell and broke his ankles. But he landed on his feet. That may have saved his life.

[@jetpilot3714]

How do you figure that Gen. Doolittle had anything to do with Top Gun again?

[@samshepperrd]

@@jetpilot3714 his humiliating Germans at the air show with his piloting skill. Upside down flying when is almost never done buzzing a field to impress a girl. Being one of the first to recognize the importance of learning the science (physics) of flyimgy. Recall Manerick has a romance with his physics instructor. Doing what many said couldn't be done - bomb Japan right after the Pearl attack. That's right off the top of my head.

[@frankpienkosky5688]

@@jetpilot3714 that was McCluskey...at Top Gun....

[@jetpilot3714]

@@samshepperrd I see your point. Guess I never thought of it that way before. Dolittle was an amazing man that is for sure. A lot of the instrument procedures that we still use today with regard to instrument flight can be attributed to him from what I’ve been told.

[@larrycarmody8325]

Jimmy Doolittle was the greatest American pilot ever, born 1897, died 1993 at 96years old, I'm glad I was alive during WWII and still em today to see Jimmy a great Patriot pilot. I was a pilot & flight instructor till I turned 70yrs old, then folded my wings & retired, I'm getting old now.

[@iamrichrocker]

a PhD at MIT? good gawd..this guy was mensa level IQ...

[@Perktube1]

Stop griping about the audio, this isn't a concert. It was adequate.

[@Les537]

What?

[@sihammer7942]

I think it's safe to say, Doolittle did a lot.......... In fact, 'a lot' doesn't really cover it, he was the sort of bloke who'd achieve more than most men would on any given day. And then, after breakfast, he'd continue on the same vein.......... It's a miracle he made old bones, 96, those early days of aviation were incredibly dangerous + clearly he was an instinctual pilot who could keep a plane in the air, + equally important, he knew how to crash one, as well!

[@jad4256]

FYI Sir: On the flight from Canada to Mexico City Doolittle certainly did not overfly the Andes Mountains. It was either the Rocky Mountains or the Coastal Mountains.

[@tomaims]

Yep, I wondered about that geographical fact. A miscue at best. If it had been the Andes that would have been another 3000 to 4000 miles. He would have had to fly far south of Mexico city then double back North. It would not be possible. Best guess is some mountain range, depending on his plotted course, between Canada and Mexico. Good catch!

[@larkwick]

John Birch save Doolittle's crew from behind Chi-Com lines.

[@dariusjackelson9915]

And Democrats still hate his name and love the Chinese Communists.

[@johnwayneeverett6263]

IN NEED TO READ UP ON ALL THIS GREAT HISTORY

[@coiledsteel8344]

Nope was Good Chinese Citizens that saved Jimmy.

[@larryzigler6812]

@@dariusjackelson9915 TRAITOR TRUMP is the one with huge personal loans from the Chinese

[@frankpienkosky5688]

@@larryzigler6812 it was china that wanted him gone...who knows what part they played in that....

[@michaelmuldowney8]

When did Robert Redford portray him ? He played a flying ace in THE GREAT WALDO PEPPER.

[@mwhitelaw8569]

Sorry you folks over there had to go through another lockdown. Hope everyone makes it out ok

[@306champion]

48:00 Maybe you should explain why octane changed things. The reason for doing so demonstrates Jimmy's mechanical knowledge.

[@johnbaran4428]

Christ.....the Japanese killed 250k Chinese in retaliation? Wow

[@canyoncreekster]

Some say they should have been nuked out of existence, such was the hatred of them in ww2.

[@billolsen4360]

Typical reaction of a bunch of bullies. Like the Germans at the time, the Japanese looked down on most other races.

[@frankpienkosky5688]

@@canyoncreekster heard talk of that lately.....[in china].....

[@johnwayneeverett6263]

WOW 100 PERCENT OCTANE,,,, OUR HERO...

[@kengoodman7719]

And there you have it. Men in leadership from Doolittle's time lead by example. Today, especially in our political leadership, they lead by words. Words that are calculated, contemptuous and meaningless.

[@dinardoworldwide]

Want to do this now.

[@Les537]

Yes, just adjust the target a bit for mainland China.

[@eringobreathtiocfaidharla1446]

Great sound gerk

[@esimm595]

From Canada to the Andes and then to Mexico City is a pretty long flight.

[@kd1s]

Was this General Yamamoto the same who both trained in the United States and also said "Never wake a sleeping giant" about the U.S.?

[@MichaelSemer]

Yep. He even predicted that the Japanese would have initial success but if they didn't swing a negotiated peace with the US after 6 months to a year, America's industrial and logistical might would defeat them.

[@mike61219]

Just to all the tango whiskey alpha "tangos" who gave the thumbs down, shame on you all,!!!!!

[@billolsen4360]

;-)

[@antikokalis]

Why is the sound so bad? Is this an old one?

[@kentsowers3887]

Wake up America

[@lukeouthwaite9999]

I'll pretend i can understand most of what he is saying and just nod my head.

[@iron60bitch62]

It’s sealed the fate of the Japanese. The Japanese were very used to having an adversary lay down after a significant loss they were absolutely and completely shocked when the US decided to ramp up the war and come at them. And Maddie in the hierarchy of the Japanese military believe that this attack is the significant reason why the Japanese were bombed with two nuclear weapons

[@duncancurtis1758]

At that time the Allies were on the backfoot but Roosevelt understood the Japanese would fall for any ruse, and indeed they did at Midway.

[@Gwaithmir]

The narrator looks like he could be Jimmy Doolittle's brother.

[@SaltyChip]

Well his name is Gardner Doolittle and I looked him up and he is Jimmy’s third cousin.

[@David-gk7be]

The narration is totally unsuitable and at times unintelligible, needs to be updated and redone. by an English speaker

[@RubyBandUSA]

@@SaltyChip Thanks for clearing that up Salty. Say hi to your 3rd cousin Clint.

[@mrhankey962000]

Why does the sound quality sound like I’m listening to this dude with two soup cans and a string?

[@Nicole-ks8hx]

Wtf is wrong with the audio?

[@terrypbug]

It's old film

[@thebonesaw..4634]

It's not because it's old (this was filmed in 2013)... it's the terrible production quality. It's a first time film from a relative of General Doolittle. Apparently, Gardner Doolittle (a third cousin to Jimmy Doolittle), had the General approve this script all the way back in 1993... and then he sat around waiting to film it for another 20 years. I dare not wonder how bad the production quality would have been if he had filmed it in 1993. However... at least the story, and those old photos are incredible. That alone is worth suffering through the terrible audio, unprofessional narration and the poor film quality.

[@scottyfox6376]

Damn Jimmy & those boys had huge brass ones fee sure.

[@calebshuler1789]

Your rudder line snapping, is not same as steering wheel coming off. A plane can fly without rudder control, but its difficult

[@frankpienkosky5688]

....very difficult!.....

[@user6008]

Aahh yes, Pearl Harbor. The single greatest tactical defeat of the Japanese Navy during the Pacific campaign of WWII. For those who have no idea of what I'm referring too I'll keep it brief. Three waves of Japanese torpedo planes, dive bombers, high altitude level bombers and fighters were planned to strike Battleship row, Carrier row and Hickam airfield. such was the Japanese fixation to strike warships and harbor facilities the most important target was all but completely overlooked. As history records the U.S. Carriers were at sea, but what has been missed for the last eighty years is what some of the Japanese pilots in the first two waves noticed - the oil storage tank facility which held some 4.5 million gallons of crude, the sole and only source of oil for the entire U.S. Navy at the time. The Japanese pilots argued for a third wave to attack and destroy these oil tanks. Their concerns fell on deaf ears. Because Vice Admiral Nagano was unwilling to listen. Being concerned with his perceived loss of surprise after two waves of attacks. His was the gravest error which proved to be costly for Japan. For had the U.S. oil supply at Pearl harbor been destroyed, the entire naval fleet would have been forced to pull back to the west coast of America. Doolittle's raid would have been impossible, Midway would have never happened and the war in the Pacific would have taken another two to three years to prosecute. While U.S. victory would have eventually prevailed the cost would have been unspeakable in terms of dollars, time, human lives and sacrifice. As it was of the twenty-nine ships that attacked Pearl Harbor, only one would survive the next four years of war, the destroyer Ushio. By then, U.S. aircraft carriers had turned the Pacific ocean into a killing ground for the U.S. Navy , Marines and Army.

[@frankpienkosky5688]

the second wave...the one that took the most losses...should have struck those oil tanks instead of hitting previously destroyed targets again...that shows poor planning..Nagumo was correct to be concerned about his ships when the locations of the American carriers was unknown....

[@karlfonner7589]

Perhaps maybe the Japanese wanted to invade Hawaii? The refinery would be to their benefit.

[@AndrewPayne]

The Sound quality is truly awful!

[@miamijules2149]

I know but the content is badasssery embodied

[@Cami-dc9iu]

i like it alot , it sounds classic

[@thebonesaw..4634]

Everything is awful... except for those photos and the story. I just tried to imagine this was a true story being told by my uncle or somebody (it helped me ignore all the flaws).

[@jrob8931]

What's up with the tin can sound?

[@philais]

The volume suxed. Up and down

[@Indiansmoke1]

Im with JIMMY rules are made to be bent.

[@susi-emily]

The only thing I know about James Doolittle came from the 1944 movie Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo, with Spencer Tracy, Van Johnson and a very young Robert Mitchum (who was the reason I watched it). An amazing film with actual footage of the raids.

[@anthonytroisi6682]

Excellent movie. Although the damage inflicted by the Doolittle Raid was minimal, the raid convinced the Japanese that their islands were vulnerable. It also gave the American people a much-needed boost in morale. I feel bad that one of the crew members ended up imprisoned in a POW camp in Germany.

[@ML-fc3je]

what is up with the audio quality... please someone tell me I'm not the only one having issues with the audio quality of this documentary.

[@datoneg6722]

Nope just sucks

[@lukeouthwaite9999]

He sounds like he has a plastic cup stuck in his throat. Lol

[@frankpienkosky5688]

seems to be ok...

[@TRHARTAmericanArtist]

I had to put the captions on. I couldn't understand some things the narrator said. He seemed to slur his words.

[@benwilliams5236]

Looks like he's had a stroke. He did quite well I thought.

[@RubyBandUSA]

How is Gardner Doolittle related to Jimmy?