Ride in a B-25
Ever since I watched the movie Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo I have been fascinated with the aircraft of WWII, especially the B-25. This movie shares the story of Lieutenant Colonel James Doolittle and his squadron of 24 North American B-25 Mitchell medium bombers tool off from an aircraft carrier, flew over Tokyo, and dropped their bombs. They became known as Doolittle Raiders.
Their mission is described on the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders Official Website:
The Doolittle Tokyo Raiders was a group eighty men from all walks of life who flew into history on April 18, 1942. They were all volunteers and this was a very dangerous mission. Sixteen B-25 bombers took off from the deck of the USS Hornet, led by (then Col.) Jimmy Doolittle. They were to fly over Japan, drop their bombs and fly on to land in a part of China that was still free. Of course, things do not always go as planned.
The months following the attack on Pearl Harbor were the darkest of the war, as Imperial Japanese forces rapidly extended their reach across the Pacific. Our military was caught off guard, forced to retreat, and losing many men in the fall of the Philippines, leading to the infamous Bataan Death March.
By spring, 1942, America needed a severe morale boost. The raid on Tokyo on April 18, 1942, certainly provided that – cheering the American military and public. Yet, the Doolittle Raid meant so much more, proving to the Japanese high command that their home islands were not invulnerable to American attacks and causing them to shift vital resources to their defense. Two months later that decision would play a role in the outcome of the Battle of Midway, the American victory that would begin to turn the tide in the Pacific War.
I put "Ride in a B-25 Mitchell Bomber" on my Bucket List!
I first saw the B-25J in 2003 when I attended the Muny production of South Pacific. The show opened with the B-25J flying low over the audience to open the show. I was so impressed I wrote a devotion about the experience:
Sounds of Comfort (8-14-2003)
Bunny and I celebrated our 34th wedding anniversary at Forest Park (in St. Louis) at The Muny’s presentation of “South Pacific.” The Muny is an outdoor theater; hence the staging limitations and possibilities are different from an indoor venue. To set the stage for the show, a vintage B-25 bomber flew at a low altitude with its wheels down over the audience. This was the first time I was that close to a flying B-25 bomber. The deep-throated rumble of the engines vibrated my body as it flew overhead. I will never forget that sound.
I thought of my dad and his brothers, all WW II vets, and how many times they heard that same sound – the awesome roar of a B-25 bomber. My dad was stationed in England prior to D-Day. He would tell us kids about how the sky was black with planes headed towards France for the invasion. He heard lots of bomber engines. I pictured how that sound must have been like the sound of angel’s wings to infantry soldiers pinned down by enemy fire. The rumble of the bombers meant that they would be delivered – the roar meant deliverance. However, that same roar meant terror for the enemies.
What other sounds can fill you with comfort? My mother’s voice on a warm summer night filled me with comfort. My brothers and I would be fooling around – postponing bed – and mom would yell out, “Simmer down in there.” Those words brought comfort – we were watched over, protected, nothing in the night would get us. (Yes, there were times mom’s voice would strike fear into our hearts, too, as we participated in some hi-jinks.)
One of the most comforting sounds I have ever heard is the sound of little children reciting the Lord’s Prayer. When the children pray – they pray with their mouths and with their hearts. They implore their Heavenly Father to give them bread, forgive them their trespasses, and lead them not into temptation. I am comforted by not only their words, but their spirit. That sound also strikes terror into Satan’s heart. One little word from one little Christian will defeat Satan and all of his followers.
God be with you.
One weekend Carol and I were touring Old Saint Charles and found a brochure for the Missouri Wing of the Commemorative Air Force stationed at Smartt Airfield in St. Charles county. We drove out to the base and was given a tour of the hanger. which included the fully flying B-25J Mitchell medium bomber that I saw many years prior. I was told that it would be possible to purchase a ride on it, my bucket list was to be fulfilled! However, circumstances happened and the dream was put on hold.
On Saturday, October 31, 2020, my dream was realized as I sat in the right waist gunner's seat for a run over St. Louis. We flew at 800 feet above sea level past the Arch and downtown St. Louis, made a figure 8 turn over Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, and went vertical before our landing.
I was able to crawl through the passageway and sit in the rear gunner's bubble. It was breathtaking!
I thank God for all of the young men who flew, fought, and died for my freedom!
Their mission is described on the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders Official Website:
The Doolittle Tokyo Raiders was a group eighty men from all walks of life who flew into history on April 18, 1942. They were all volunteers and this was a very dangerous mission. Sixteen B-25 bombers took off from the deck of the USS Hornet, led by (then Col.) Jimmy Doolittle. They were to fly over Japan, drop their bombs and fly on to land in a part of China that was still free. Of course, things do not always go as planned.
The months following the attack on Pearl Harbor were the darkest of the war, as Imperial Japanese forces rapidly extended their reach across the Pacific. Our military was caught off guard, forced to retreat, and losing many men in the fall of the Philippines, leading to the infamous Bataan Death March.
By spring, 1942, America needed a severe morale boost. The raid on Tokyo on April 18, 1942, certainly provided that – cheering the American military and public. Yet, the Doolittle Raid meant so much more, proving to the Japanese high command that their home islands were not invulnerable to American attacks and causing them to shift vital resources to their defense. Two months later that decision would play a role in the outcome of the Battle of Midway, the American victory that would begin to turn the tide in the Pacific War.
I put "Ride in a B-25 Mitchell Bomber" on my Bucket List!
I first saw the B-25J in 2003 when I attended the Muny production of South Pacific. The show opened with the B-25J flying low over the audience to open the show. I was so impressed I wrote a devotion about the experience:
Sounds of Comfort (8-14-2003)
Bunny and I celebrated our 34th wedding anniversary at Forest Park (in St. Louis) at The Muny’s presentation of “South Pacific.” The Muny is an outdoor theater; hence the staging limitations and possibilities are different from an indoor venue. To set the stage for the show, a vintage B-25 bomber flew at a low altitude with its wheels down over the audience. This was the first time I was that close to a flying B-25 bomber. The deep-throated rumble of the engines vibrated my body as it flew overhead. I will never forget that sound.
I thought of my dad and his brothers, all WW II vets, and how many times they heard that same sound – the awesome roar of a B-25 bomber. My dad was stationed in England prior to D-Day. He would tell us kids about how the sky was black with planes headed towards France for the invasion. He heard lots of bomber engines. I pictured how that sound must have been like the sound of angel’s wings to infantry soldiers pinned down by enemy fire. The rumble of the bombers meant that they would be delivered – the roar meant deliverance. However, that same roar meant terror for the enemies.
What other sounds can fill you with comfort? My mother’s voice on a warm summer night filled me with comfort. My brothers and I would be fooling around – postponing bed – and mom would yell out, “Simmer down in there.” Those words brought comfort – we were watched over, protected, nothing in the night would get us. (Yes, there were times mom’s voice would strike fear into our hearts, too, as we participated in some hi-jinks.)
One of the most comforting sounds I have ever heard is the sound of little children reciting the Lord’s Prayer. When the children pray – they pray with their mouths and with their hearts. They implore their Heavenly Father to give them bread, forgive them their trespasses, and lead them not into temptation. I am comforted by not only their words, but their spirit. That sound also strikes terror into Satan’s heart. One little word from one little Christian will defeat Satan and all of his followers.
God be with you.
One weekend Carol and I were touring Old Saint Charles and found a brochure for the Missouri Wing of the Commemorative Air Force stationed at Smartt Airfield in St. Charles county. We drove out to the base and was given a tour of the hanger. which included the fully flying B-25J Mitchell medium bomber that I saw many years prior. I was told that it would be possible to purchase a ride on it, my bucket list was to be fulfilled! However, circumstances happened and the dream was put on hold.
On Saturday, October 31, 2020, my dream was realized as I sat in the right waist gunner's seat for a run over St. Louis. We flew at 800 feet above sea level past the Arch and downtown St. Louis, made a figure 8 turn over Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, and went vertical before our landing.
I was able to crawl through the passageway and sit in the rear gunner's bubble. It was breathtaking!
I thank God for all of the young men who flew, fought, and died for my freedom!
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