The Tokyo Sixteen

Geert Rottier Rottiers

ISBN 10: 1036134385 / ISBN 13: 9781036134389

Published by Pen and Sword Books Ltd, GB, 2025

About this Item

The Tokyo Sixteen tells the gripping story of the sixteen pilots who took part in the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo in April 1942. The book follows their personal journeys, from their diverse backgrounds and motivations for joining the military to their daring participation in one of WWII's most audacious missions.It begins with a deep dive into each pilot's life before the war, highlighting their unique aspirations and shared sense of duty. The narrative then shifts to the intense and secretive training required to launch B-25 bombers from an aircraft carrier, a technical feat that had never been attempted before.The heart of the book focuses on the raid itself, capturing the pilots' courage as they flew into enemy territory, bombed Tokyo, and then faced perilous escapes. Personal stories of bravery, survival, and the physical and mental toll of the mission form a powerful narrative throughout.The aftermath of the raid is no less compelling, with pilots crashing in enemy territory or narrowly escaping capture. The book concludes by reflecting on the lasting legacy of the Doolittle Raiders, celebrating their heroism and the enduring impact of their bravery. The Tokyo Sixteen is a tribute to the strength of the human spirit in extreme circumstances.

Seller Inventory # LU-9781036134389

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Tokyo Sixteen
• Publisher: Pen and Sword Books Ltd, GB
• Publication Date: 2025
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1036134385
• ISBN 13: 9781036134389
• Binding: Hardback
• Condition: New
• Weight: 454 grams

About this title

Synopsis

“Rottiers structures the book around the individual stories of the sixteen pilots who undertook this high-risk mission, discussing their motivations, training, combat experiences, and fates.” – War History Network

The Tokyo Sixteen tells the gripping story of the sixteen pilots who took part in the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo in April 1942. The book follows their personal journeys, from their diverse backgrounds and motivations for joining the military to their daring participation in one of WWII’s most audacious missions.

It begins with a deep dive into each pilot’s life before the war, highlighting their unique aspirations and shared sense of duty. The narrative then shifts to the intense and secretive training required to launch B-25 bombers from an aircraft carrier, a technical feat that had never been attempted before.

The heart of the book focuses on the raid itself, capturing the pilots' courage as they flew into enemy territory, bombed Tokyo, and then faced perilous escapes. Personal stories of bravery, survival, and the physical and mental toll of the mission form a powerful narrative throughout.

The aftermath of the raid is no less compelling, with pilots crashing in enemy territory or narrowly escaping capture. The book concludes by reflecting on the lasting legacy of the Doolittle Raiders, celebrating their heroism and the enduring impact of their bravery. The Tokyo Sixteen is a tribute to the strength of the human spirit in extreme circumstances.

About the Author

An amateur historian with a particular focus on aspects of the Second World War, in April 2022 GEERT ROTTIERS experienced a brain haemorrhage. Having been urged by his doctors to remain mentally active to aid his cognitive rehabilitation, Geert decided to dive in a subject that he already had an interest in – the famous Doolittle Raid on Tokyo on 18 April 1942. For more information please see: www.doolittle-raid.net.