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Mitchell - Aircraft Profile - : Mitchell

Mitchell

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On April 18, 1942, Lt. Col. James H. Doolittle led a group of 16 B-25 bombers on a carrier-launched raid on industrial and military targets in Japan. The raid was one of the most daring missions of WW II. Planning for this secret mission began several months earlier, and Jimmy Doolittle, one of the most outstanding pilots and leaders in the United States Army Air Corps was chosen to plan, organize and lead the raid. The plan was to get within 300 or 400 miles of Japan, attack military and industrial targets in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kobe shortly after nightfall, and then fly on to a dawn landing at secret airfields on the coast of China. The twin engine B-25 Mitchell bomber was selected by Doolittle for the mission and practice indicated that it should be possible to launch these aircraft from a carrier deck with less than 500 feet of runway. On April 2, 1942 the USS Hornet and a number of escorts set sail from Alameda, California with the 16 B-25s strapped to its deck. This task force rendezvoused with another including the USS Enterprise, and proceeded for the Japanese mainland. An element of surprise was important for this mission to succeed. When the task force was spotted by a Japanese picket boat, Admiral Halsey made the decision to launch the attack earlier than was planned. This meant that the raiders would have to fly more than 600 miles to Japan, and would arrive over their targets in daylight. It also meant that it would be unlikely that each aircraft would have sufficient fuel to reach useable airfields in China. Doolittle had 50 gallons of additional fuel stowed on each aircraft as well as a dinghy and survival supplies for the likely ditchings at sea which would now take place. At approximately 8:00 AM the Hornets loudspeaker blared, Now hear this: Army pilots, man your planes! Doolittle and his co-pilot R.E. Cole piloted the first B-25 off the Hornets deck at about 8:20 AM. With full flaps, and full throttle the Mitchell roared towards the Hornets bow, just barely missing the ships island superstructure. The B-25 lifted off, Doolittle leveled out, and made a single low altitude pass down the painted center line on the Hornets deck to align his compass. The remaining aircraft lifted off at approximately five minute intervals. The mission was planned to include five three-plane sections directed at various targets. However, Doolittle had made it clear that each aircraft was on its own. He insisted, however, that civilian targets be avoided, and under no circumstances was the Imperial Palace in Tokyo to be bombed. About 30 minutes after taking off Doolittles B-25 was joined by another piloted by Lt. Travis Hoover. These two aircraft approached Tokyo from the north. They encountered a number of Japanese fighter or trainer aircraft, but they remained generally undetected at their low altitude. At 1:30 PM the Japanese homeland came under attack for the first time in the War. From low altitudes the raiders put their cargoes of four 500 pounders into a number of key targets. Despite antiaircraft fire, all the attacking aircraft were unscathed. The mission had been a surprise, but the most hazardous portion of the mission lay ahead. The Chinese were not prepared for the raiders arrival. Many of the aircraft were ditched along the coast, and the crews of other aircraft, including Doolittles were forced to bail out in darkness. There were a number of casualties, and several of the raiders were caught by Japanese troops in China, and some were eventually executed. This painting is dedicated to the memories of those airmen who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country and the thousands of innocent Chinese citizens which were brutally slaughtered as a reprisal for their assistance in rescuing the downed crews.

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 The daylight raid on Tokyo, led by Lt Col James H. Doolittle on Sunday 18 April 1942, has rightfully entered the history books as one of the most daring and courageous operations of the Second World War. On that day, in mid ocean, Doolittle had launched his B-25 Mitchell bomber from the heaving, spray-soaked flight deck of an aircraft carrier, a deck too short to land on, and flown on to bomb Tokyo. He knew there would be no return to the USS Hornet, either for him or the 15 heavily laden B-25s behind him, for this was a feat never before attempted, and for every crew member the mission was a one-way ticket. Yet, under the leadership of Jimmy Doolittle, they all dared to survive. The mission for the 16 bombers was to bomb industrial targets in Tokyo and surrounding areas, to slow production of strategic war material, then fly on to land in the part of south-west China that was still in the hands of friendly Nationalist forces. All being well, the mission would be so unexpected it would plant the first seeds of doubt into enemy minds. It worked – the Japanese were forced to quickly divert hundreds of aircraft, men and equipment away from offensive operations to the defence of their homeland. There was, however, another reason behind the Doolittle's raid – to lift the morale of an American public devastated by the attack on Pearl Harbor four months earlier. And the success of the mission provided the boost that was needed. If any had doubted America's resolve in the face of uncertainty, the courage, determination and heroism displayed by Lt Col Doolittle and his band of aviators restored their determination. Although it might take years, and the price would be high, America and her allies understood that the fight could, and would, be won. Commissioned to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Doolittle Tokyo Raid the painting portrays the dramatic moment that Lt Col Jimmy Doolittle lifts his B-25 off the pitching deck of the USS Hornet. Having timed his launch to perfection he climbs steeply away, ready to adjust his compass bearing for a direct line to Tokyo. On the sodden deck behind him the crews of the remaining 15 aircraft, whose engines are warmed, ready and turning, will quickly follow their commanding officer into the murky sky.

Destination Tokyo by Anthony Saunders.
 On the morning of April 18th, 1942, just four months following the devastating surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, sixteen Army Air Force B-25 bombers under the command of Lieutenant Colonel James Doolittle engaged in a daring aerial raid to strike back at the enemy's capital of Tokyo.  For his role, Doolittle was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Doolittle Tokyo Raiders by Robert Taylor. (GS)
 It was the morning of Monday, 18 April 1942 and, taking a final look at the carrier rapidly disappearing into the distance, the B25 Mitchells headed west on what each of the five man crews knew was a one-way ride.  With luck they might make it to Nationalist China but first they had an important mission to complete - destination Tokyo!  Four months earlier the Japanese had launched their blistering unprovoked attack on Pearl Harbor leaving America reeling.  As setback followed setback, America needed retribution and the man chosen for the task was Lt Col James Doolittle.  Planning one of the most audacious raids ever undertaken, Doolittle and his chosen band of raiders would attempt the impossible - a direct strike at the heart of Imperial Japan.  It was what the enemy least expected.  Richard Taylor's powerful painting <i>Out of the Dragon's Den</i> depicts the scene immediately after the Raiders had carried out their mission.  One of the last B-25 Mitchells, having successfully bombed its target, makes its escape towards mainland China.  As the navigator sets the new course, their path takes them close to targets hit by other Raiders, dark columns of smoke rising rapidly from the burning oil and carnage below.  Issued with a copy of Richards pencil print, <i>USS Hornet</i>, every one of these historic two print portfolios is personally signed by Doolittle Raiders and a crew member of the USS Hornet during the raid.  This could be one of the final opportunities to acquire a limited edition signed by the last surviving veterans of the legendary Doolittle Raiders.
Out of the Dragon's Den by Richard Taylor.
 The last remaining units of the fascist Italian Air Force attempt to engage B25s from the 340th Bomb Group who have successfully destroyed a vital enemy rail bridge in the strategic Brenner Pass, northern Italy, 10 April 1945.  The enemy Me109s are completely routed by escorting P51 Mustangs of the 325th Fighter Group who are quickly on the scene.  There was only one way the Germans were going to re-supply their beleaguered army in Italy against the relentless assault of the Allies pushing northwards - and that was through the Brenner Pass in the Alps. The Allies knew that if they could destroy this strategic labyrinth of heavily defended road and rail bridges, the enemy would either be forced to surrender, or perish.  And the task of destroying these bridges fell to men of the US Twelfth and Fifteenth Air Forces who must fly their heavily-laden bombers dangerously close to the rugged Alpine peaks, and endure a pounding from the anti-aircraft guns lining the narrow pass below.  Not to mention any roving enemy fighters, or the turbulent weather over the mountains.

Battle of the Brenner by Anthony Saunders.

Mitchell Artwork Collection



I Could Never be So Lucky Again by William S Phillips.

Tokyo Raid, Doolittles B25 Launch from USS Hornet by Ivan Berryman (P)


Clipped Signature - William J Cavoli.


Clipped Signature - Robert Lewis.


Clipped Signature - Hugh Wright.


Clipped Signature - Travis Hoover.


USS Hornet. Doolittles Raiders by Ivan Berryman.


Doolittle Raider, Tokyo, April 18th 1942 by David Pentland.


Battle of the Brenner by Anthony Saunders.


Doolittle Raiders by Robert Taylor.

The Royce Raid by Richard Taylor.


Tokyo Bound by Nicolas Trudgian.


Into the Teeth of the Wind by Robert Taylor.

Hornets Nest by John D Shaw.

Out of the Dragon's Den by Richard Taylor.


Destination Tokyo by Anthony Saunders.


Doolittle Tokyo Raiders by Robert Taylor.


Destination Tokyo by Stan Stokes.


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Colonel William J Cavoli
Our estimated value of this signature : £55
Died : 2007

Colonel William J Cavoli

William J. Cavoli was born in Philadelphia, PA on 22nd September 1919. Willaim Cavoli enlisted in the Army Air Corps in July of 1941. He attended basic training at Randolph, AFB, Texas. Cavoli was a pilot on B-25's of 500th Bomb Squadron. He saw service in New Guinea, Northern Solomons, Bismark Archipelago, Southern Philippines, Luzon Western Pacific, China, Ryukyus campaigns and the Air Offensive Against Japan. Captain Willaim J Cavoli pilot of B-25D 'Snafu' 41 - 30054 which took off as part of the second wave of bombers over Kavieng. Once over the target, Cavoli's B-25 experienced heavy anti-aircraft fire. After dropping their bombs and flying through heavy smoke, his B-25 was hit, setting the right wing on fire. Cavoli prepared to ditch the plane into Kavieng Harbor, without any hydraulic pressure or airspeed indicator. Cavoli's crew were to be rescued after 85 minutes in the water by Nathan Gordons PBY Catalina. After the war, Cavoli remained in the military and served in defense intelligence. He was stationed in Washington, DC, Florida, Rome, Guatemala, and Panama. He retired from the Air Force in June of 1972 as a full Colonel. Sadly Colonel William J. Cavoli died on 19th April 2007.




Brigadier General Everett W Holstrom
Our estimated value of this signature : £55
Died : 2000

Brigadier General Everett W Holstrom

I was Captain and pilot of a B-25 that met stiff resistance from Japanese fighter opposition. Our guns and turrets were inoperative. We flew on and bailed out 40 miles south west of Shinghsi. I landed by parachute in a driving rainstorm about 10.00 p.m. On the third day I was picked up by Chinese guerrillas who escorted me through free China. The rest of my crew were one day behind me! I later spent 20 years in Strategic Air Command, and flew and commanded B-47s, B-52s and the worlds first supersonic bomber - the B-58. - Everett Holstrom died 2nd December 2000.


Captain Robert E Lewis
Our estimated value of this signature : £40

Captain Robert E Lewis

Capt. William J. Cavoli's navigator on B25 of 345th Group who attacked the heavily defended Japanese base at Kavieng. His aircraft was shot down but he was rescued by Lt Nathan Gordon's Catalina.




Major Howard A Sessler
Our estimated value of this signature : £50
Died : 2001

Major Howard A Sessler

As the navigator and bombardier on Don Smiths aircraft we attacked targets in Kobe. When the raid was completed we flew on and eventually ditched our aircraft in the sea off the coast of China. We swam to an island where Chinese guerrillas took us through enemy lines into China. We got to Chungking from where we were sent home through India and across the South Atlantic. I later flew all through Africa after the invasion until the war was over, a total of 103 missions, all in B-25s. Sadly, Howard Sessler passed away in February 2001.




Captain J Royden Stork
Our estimated value of this signature : £55
Died : 2002

Captain J Royden Stork

I was co-pilot on a B-25 detailed to attack the chemical plant at the base of the Heneda River. I was designated photographic officer on the raid and had installed 16mm cameras in each bomb bay. After an attack we flew on to China, and the crew bailed out. I knocked myself out on landing, and after regaining consciousness, rolled up my parachute and waited for sunrise. After walking all day I was befriended by a local magistrate who helped me to get to the preassigned rendezvous point some dree days later. I wound up in the 10th Air Force in India where I flew missions over Japanese occupied territory until Air Force intelligence learned that the Japanese had put a $5,000 reward on all who had participated in the Tokyo raid. - Royden Stork died 2nd May 2002.




Major Griffith P Williams
Our estimated value of this signature : £55
Died : 1998

Major Griffith P Williams

I was co-pilot oil Don Sinths aircraft, our detail being to attack waterfront targets in Kobe. After the attack we crash-landed in the sea off the coast of China, coming ashore with the aid of life vests and a partially deflated life raft, we landed on the small Chinese island of Tantou Shan. We made contact with Chinese fishermen who in turn put us in contact with resistance fighters who guided us out of Japanese held territory. We were eventually picked up by a US army transport plane for return to the US. I was reassigned to a newly formed bomb group for training and subsequently deployed to England and North Africa. I was later shot down and taken prisoner by Germans while operating out of North Africa. Sadly, Major Griffith P Williams passed away in 1998.


Lieutenant Hugh L Wright
Our estimated value of this signature : £55

Lieutenant Hugh L Wright

Hugh Wright saw action with the U.S. infantry before volunteering for the Army Air Corps. Having completed training he arrived in Europe in 1944, joining the 57th Bomb Wing, 310th Bomb Group, U.S. 12th Air Force. Flying B-25s he completed 70 missions in the Mediterranean Theatre, when the 310th supported the landings in southern France, making continual strikes against German communications. Highly decorated, he fiew combat until the end of the war.

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