From: Richard

I'm wondering why they didn't ALL head for Vladivostok... seems a
safer alternative in my mind...

The original plan was for the planes to land at airfields in China, launching
from Hornet at nightfall, bombing Japan at night and arriving over the
airfields in China in the early morning. But because of the encounter with
Japanese vessels the B-25s were launched 10 hours ahead of schedule, and
without time to plan a new exit strategy other than to try to get as far into
China as possible, otherwise ditch and hope for the best.
Capt. Edward J. York was flight (four planes) leader of the group that attacked
targets in southern Tokyo (bombing altitude 1,500 feet). Capt. York made an
individual decision to fly to the USSR when it became apparent there was no
hope of reaching China on their remaining fuel and ditching at night in rough
seas would be suicidal, as would bailing out. He landed safely 40 miles north
of Vladivostok.
Others on the crew we lst Lt. Robert Emmens, Medford, Ore.; 2nd Lt. Nolan
Herndon, Sulphur Springs, Tex.; TSgt Theodore Laban, Kenosha, Wis.; SSgt David
Pohl, Wellesley, Mass.; Capt. Edward York, San Antonio, Tex.
Eighty men participated in the strike. Eight were captured, five were interned,
two were missing, one was killed eight remained in China to serve with
Chennault (two killed in action) and 55 returned to the States. Of these, three
were later killed and one captured while serving in the MTO. I believe one was
also killed in the ETO.


Chris Mark