Chris Calle (American, B. 1961) "Doolittle Raids Tokyo" Signed lower right. Original Mixed Media painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. 29c Take Off to Raid Tokyo World War II Series stamp issued August 17, 1992. One of the boldest, most spectacular aerial operations in military history commenced on April 18, 1942, when 16 B-25s rumbled off the pitching decks of the U.S.S. Hornet and proceeded toward their target -- Tokyo. Once airborne, the aircraft skimmed the waves and trees to avoid enemy detection and reached Tokyo within four hours. Dodging anti-aircraft fire, they dropped their loads on several enemy military installations and sped away, hoping to reach the Chinese mainland. But while flying in darkness over strange territory, they ran into a storm. Bucking severe headwinds drained their fuel, and most of the men bailed out. Three captives were executed at the hands of the Japanese. The brainchild of Lt. Col. James Doolittle, mission commander, this bombing raid struck at the very heart of Japanese society. Shocked and staggered by this attack on their supposedly invincible empire, and without the benefit of air-raid shelters, the people of Tokyo ran mindlessly through the city's streets in a state of panic. In the aftermath, Japanese officials scurried to the Emperor's palace to apologize for the attack on their homeland. The war had found Japan. While of little military significance, Doolittle's raid was nevertheless an enormous boost to American morale and a presage of coming events. Specifically, the Japanese naval command, eager for redemption, may have rushed into confrontations with the U.S. Navy at the Battles of the Coral Sea and Midway, where they were defeated. Image Size: 16.75 x 12.25 in. Overall Size: 23 x 20 in. Unframed. (B13506)