That's a great point, and it's impossible to know how those two damaged carriers might have changed things if they had been available for the battles of the Coral Sea or Midway, which were near things indeed.
Chris, you probably never knew that my late, and much respected and loved, father in law was Jack Gilbert, Doolittle's executive officer of the raiders. Basically, Doolittle was in Washington working the high command and Congress while Jack was in Florida getting the crews and equipment assembled and trained.
Don't forget the 2 damaged carriers that were then unavailable for the Indian Ocean raid, Coral Sea, and Midway.
That's a great point, and it's impossible to know how those two damaged carriers might have changed things if they had been available for the battles of the Coral Sea or Midway, which were near things indeed.
Chris, you probably never knew that my late, and much respected and loved, father in law was Jack Gilbert, Doolittle's executive officer of the raiders. Basically, Doolittle was in Washington working the high command and Congress while Jack was in Florida getting the crews and equipment assembled and trained.
I did not know your father-in-law was Doolittle's executive officer! That must be an amazing story-we'd love to hear it!