Lot 173

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Description:

DOOLITTLE RAID ARCHIVE
Fascinating and important archive of nine documents, some stamped "SECRET", concerning the famous B-25 raid on Tokyo headed by Col. James H. Doolittle on April 18, 1942, and its aftermath. The grouping is 12pp. total, 4to., written from Washington and other locations, between Jan. 9, 1942 and Oct. 30, 1942. The first document is a T.L.S. by JAMES H. DOOLITTLE, 1p. (with carbon copy), 4to., "Headquarters Army Air Force", Jan. 9, 1942 to Commanding General of the Army Air Force HENRY H. "HAP" ARNOLD. Doolittle writes, in part: "...Mr. Paul Dronin and Dr. Ed. Corbett have just presented a scheme for the towing of fighting planes by bombers...Considerable work would be involved in developing this plan...it does not appear desirable that it be attempted at this time...". At bottom, Arnold notes in pencil: "Have these men see Doolittle when they come down to the office HAA". Of course, Doolittle's planes flew to Tokyo unaccompanied by fighters, so this plan never "took off". The second document, 3pp. 4to., War Dept., Washington, Nov. 11, 1942 is a memorandum stamped "SECRET" and sent to Gen. Arnold listing: "...eighty (80) officers and men who participated in the Doolittle Mission..." and setting forth their current disposition. The crew of Capt. Edward York's plane is correctly listed as "Interned in Russia", and six men are listed as "Missing, captured, or dead". Of those listed, two had drowned when their plane had crashed into the sea, three had been executed for "war crimes" by the Japanese a month earlier, and one would die in captivity three weeks later. At conclusion, the report indicates that Doolittle asked that ten crews be repatriated, but at the same time Arnold ordered that only five be sent home while the rest remain on active duty. Those wounded are ordered by Gen. Laurence Kuter to only be returned upon the approval of Gen. Joseph Stilwell, then also in China. The third document is a retained carbon copy of a letter to Doolittle by A.A.F. First Lt. Max Boyd to Doolittle, 2pp. 4to., [n.p.], July 16, 1942 marked "SECRET", describing the loss of three men who had been on the Doolittle mission. Crewmen McGurl, Gardner and Duquette perished on a mission subsequent to the raid on Tokyo when their aircraft crashed into a mountain during a bombing run over China. The fourth item is a T.L.S. stamped "SECRET", 1p. 4to., Nov. 11, 1942 sent by Air Corps Col. C. M. BEVANS to Gen. Arnold advising him: "...General Bissell indicates no immediate contemplated return of combat personnel in view of the requirements of one year's service in an active theater...". The next four items include carbon copies of three letters (one from Doolittle) and an original T.L.S., all between the Air Corps and the parents of co-pilot Jacob Manch. They are particularly telling and tie this archive together in a meaningful way. Manch had survived the raid on Tokyo and in his May 21, 1942 letter to his parents, Doolittle advises them of that fact and tells them that he will "probably be returning here sometime in the not too distant future...". On Aug. 30, Manch's father writes Doolittle complaining that letters to the flyer are being returned and adds: "...When we saw Jack at Eglin Field in March [a month before the raid]all of your boys I believe were going on a 90 day mission and then they were to be returned to the states for a furlough...I see where many of these boys are and have been returned to the states. Is there any reason why Jack should not be allowed...". The father's letter is replied to by an aide who simply gives a new address for the flyer and "passes the buck" to Manch's unnamed commanding officer. The last item is a letter from Manch's mother to Gen. Arnold, Oct. 30, 1942: "...All of these men were promised that if they would undertake a dangerous 90 day assignment (volunteer) that they would be returned to this country...the four or five men left over in China or India should be allowed the promise which was given...these boys went through for their country...This boy did his task gladly...my only reason in writing is to have you know the truth...and injustice has been done to the men who dared...". Overall fine condition. Manch would remain in action in the China-Burma-India theater until June, 1943. If what Manch's parents claim was true, an injustice was indeed done to many of the Doolittle Raiders as 24 remained in service in with Manch in Asia, four of whom would be killed in action within 90 days of the raid. Meanwhile, 37 men, including Doolittle, were returned safely to the U.S.

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September 9, 2014 11:00 AM EDT
Chesapeake City, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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