"Dutch, don't tell a soul but Shangri-La is right here in the North American plant. That's where our B-25 bombers came from. For military reasons, I can't tell you certain things about the flight. I can't tell you where my 79 companions are now except to say that almost all of them are well and happy and itching for another pass at the Japs.

I can tell you something of the planning, the training, and the bombing, the results of the bombing and the airplanes and crews. The idea of this particular mission was conceived in January. The airplanes were specially prepared in February. The crew was given special training in March. Everything went smoothly from the start. Oh, I don't mean that we didn't have all the minor annoyances that go with any new and different problem. The crews were trained in day and night operations.

Training included bombing, gunnery, navigation and general flying with particular attention to offensive and defensive action at extremely low altitudes. We approached our targets in Japan at tree-top altitude and pulled up to 1500 feet to bomb. 1500 feet was chosen as the bombing altitude because it was the lowest altitude from which we could bomb and still enjoy comparative safety from our own bomb fragments; and I should say that one boy bombed from 900 feet and pieces of the things that he destroyed flew higher than his airplane.

Immediately after dropping our bombs, we again lowered away to the tree tops. Our high speed, low altitude and evasive maneuvering made us very elusive targets. This was indicated by the fact that not a single plane was shot down in Japan, although they certainly tried- both with fighters in the air and with anti-aircraft and machine gun fire from the ground. The targets bombed were steel works, refineries, oil tank farms, airplane factories, munition plants, ammunition dumps, etc. Care was exercised to avoid all non-military targets, such as hospitals, schools, churches and even the Imperial Palace. Due to the intensive training the crews had had, their careful study of their charts and individual target areas, the fact that it was a beautiful clear day and because the bombs were dropped from a low altitude, each crew was readily able to destroy it's selected targets.

The highly inflammable nature of the conventional Japanese type of construction added materially to the destruction wrought. The Tokyo radio gave us an indication of what was going on. They were broadcasting in English when we struck, telling about the Cherry Blossom Festival and Japan's freedom from fear of invasion. The program was suddenly interrupted as our bombs landed and an excited voice, speaking in Japanese, said that Tokyo was suffering a devastation air attack. The next day, a program was broadcast requesting all the Japanese people to pray for rain in order to help put the fires out. Two days later, they advised that the fires were finally under control. It was only then that the censored programs came on, advising that little damage had been done- except to hospitals and schools, and that 9 planes had been shot down. Planes were shot down- possibly 9- but they were not ours. They were Japanese fighters that had the temerity to attack our B-25s.

In conclusion, our bombers- your bombers- functioned magnificently. The crews operated them with consummate skill and conspicuous bravery. The B-25 was selected for this mission because it was the best airplane in America for the particular job- that means the best in the world. Past wars have been won on the battle fileds. This war is being fought not only on the battle field but in the shop and at the desk. That country or those countries that can produce and man the greatest number of the best war planes the quickest will win, and remember, it doesn't make a bit of difference whether you are in the cockpit or at the bench, if you do your job the best you can, your contribution toward the winning of the war is the same. Thanks for some swell airplanes."