Bombers from Shangri-La: The Doolittle Raid

On April 18, 1942, James Doolittle conducted the on Tokyo. From the article:

"Doolittle Raid: A Daring Idea
While at Norfolk, Low noticed several US Army medium bombers taking off from a runway which featured the outline of an aircraft carrier deck. Investigating further, he found that it would be possible for these types of aircraft to take off from a carrier at sea. Presenting this concept to the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Ernest J. King, the idea was approved and planning commenced under the command of famed aviator Lieutenant Colonel James "Jimmy" Doolittle. An all-around aviation pioneer and former military pilot, Doolittle had returned to active duty in 1940 and had been working with auto manufacturers to convert their plants to producing aircraft. Assessing Low's idea, Doolittle initially hoped to take off from a carrier, bomb Japan, and then land at bases near Vladivostok in the Soviet Union.


At that point, the aircraft could be turned over the Soviets under the guise of Lend-Lease. Though the Soviets were approached, they denied the use of their bases as they were not at war with the Japanese and did not wish to risk violating their 1941 neutrality pact with Japan. As a result, Doolittle's bombers would be forced to fly 600 miles further and land at bases in China."