The crash location of plane 6, Crew 6, piloted by Dean Hallmark on 18 April 1942. 

Here is a summary of the information about the crash location of Crew 6’s B-25 aircraft during the Doolittle Raid, based on the data from Carroll V. Glines's book and further analysis using computer programs. Carroll V. Glines was the official historian of the Doolittle Raiders.

The navigator of Crew 6 Chase J. Nielsen (only survivor of the crew after the war) told us in Glines’s book:

After bombing Japan during the Doolittle Raid, the planes headed toward China over the East China Sea. The Green Hornet, piloted by Dean Hallmark, was 10 minutes from the Chinese coast when navigator Nielsen informed the crew that they would reach landfall in China in about 10 minutes. However, after flying for about 6 minutes, the B-25 crashed into the water due to a fuel shortage. This means they were 4 minutes away from landfall.

We know that the crash site of the Green Hornet was in or near the Sanmen Bay area. This was confirmed by Jimmy Doolittle, a highly respected and reliable source. Another  strong and trustworthy oral account suggests the crash occurred in the vicinity of Shipu, reinforcing the likelihood of the crash location being in or near Sanmen Bay, a logical area given the direction and fuel limitations during the Doolittle Raid.

Nielsen had indicated that they would make landfall about 60 miles north of Wenzhou, a city on the Chinese coast. Therefore, the latitude is known, and the longitude depends on the plane's speed, which was estimated by the computer to be between 100 and 120 mph. Based on these calculations, the crash site was determined to be at coordinates 29.1° N, 121.9° E.

However, this location is in the mentioned area! But problematic, as the sea temperature would have been too cold for survival. The computer estimates that they were no more than 2 miles from shore for the crew to have survived in the water. 3 crewmembers reached seperately the shore, 2 drowned.

Next the calculatuions were made by a computer:

1. Historical Performance Data:
   • The B-25 Mitchell was a medium bomber used extensively in World War II.
   • Its maximum speed was approximately 250 mph (400 km/h), but operational speeds, especially during low-level missions, were typically lower.
2. Operational Context:
   • During the Doolittle Raid, the B-25s were flying at relatively low altitudes for their bombing runs.
   • For such missions, aircraft often fly at speeds somewhat less than their maximum to ensure stability and maneuverability, especially when heavily loaded or during lowaltitude approaches.
3. Flight Conditions and Estimates:
   • In historical accounts, the average cruising speed for medium bombers like the B-25 during combat or low-level missions is often cited around 150-200 mph (240-320 km/h).
   • For the specific conditions of the Doolittle Raid, speeds might be adjusted based on fuel consumption, altitude, and mission profile. A typical operational speed might be around 120-150 mph (193-241 km/h) during the raid.

Specific Context for the Final Approach:

• The estimated range of 100-120 mph is a practical estimate for the bomber’s speed when it was running low on fuel and nearing the end of its operational mission, considering the context of low-level flight and fuel conservation.

Summary:

• 100-120 mph is a reasonable estimate for the B-25’s average speed during the mission, accounting for operational conditions and the fact that speeds could vary based on fuel load, altitude, and mission phase.
• This speed range reflects the bomber's operational performance in the context of its final approach and fuel depletion during the Doolittle Raid.

Scenario Details 1. Initial Distance Estimate:

• The bomber was about 10 minutes away from the coast when their engines failed due to running out of fuel.
• The bomber crashed after 6 minutes.

2. Distance Covered in 10 Minutes:

• Given the speed estimate of 100 to 120 mph, the bomber would have covered: Distance Covered in 10 Minutes=Speed×Time\text{Distance Covered in 10

Minutes} = \text{Speed} \times

\text{Time}Distance Covered in 10 Minutes=Speed×Time o         At 100 mph:

Distance=100 mph×10 minutes60 minutes per hour=16.67 miles\text{Distance } = 100 \text{ mph} \times \frac{10 \text{ minutes}}{60 \text{ minutes per hour}} = 16.67 \text{

miles}Distance=100 mph×60 minutes per hour10 minutes=16.67 miles

• At 120 mph:

Distance=120 mph×10 minutes60 minutes per hour=20 miles\text{Distance} = 120 \text{ mph} \times \frac{10 \text{ minutes}}{60 \text{ minutes per hour}} = 20 \text{ miles}Distance=120 mph×60 minutes per hour10 minutes=20 miles

3. Distance Covered in 6 Minutes:

o    To determine the speed, calculate how far the bomber could travel in the 6 minutes it continued flying after running out of fuel. o       At 100 mph:

Distance=100 mph×6 minutes60 minutes per hour=10 miles\text{Distance} = 100 \text{ mph} \times \frac{6 \text{ minutes}}{60 \text{ minutes per hour}}

= 10 \text{ miles}Distance=100 mph×60 minutes per hour6 minutes=10 miles o At 120 mph:

Distance=120 mph×6 minutes60 minutes per hour=12 miles\text{Distance} = 120 \text{ mph} \times \frac{6 \text{ minutes}}{60 \text{ minutes per hour}} = 12 \text{ miles}Distance=120 mph×60 minutes per hour6 minutes=12 miles

4. Distance to Coast:

                        o     The bomber crashed 18.33 miles from the coast, implying that they were about

18.33 miles from the coast when they ran out of fuel. o      Therefore, if the bomber was 10 minutes away from the coast (in distance) when their engines failed and had 4 minutes of flying left, the distance covered in 6 minutes of flying without power can be calculated as follows:

Calculating Speed 1. Remaining Distance to Coast After 6 Minutes:

o    If they were 18.33 miles from the coast at the point of engine failure and covered 10 miles in 6 minutes, the remaining distance to the coast when engines failed should match the given distance.

Remaining Distance=18.33 miles−10 miles=8.33 miles\text{Remaining Distance} =

18.33 \text{ miles} - 10 \text{ miles} = 8.33 \text{ miles}Remaining Distance=18.33 miles−10 miles=8.33 miles

Given that they should have covered 16.67 to 20 miles in 10 minutes, the distances traveled before running out of fuel align with the speed range provided.

Final Speed Calculation:

1. Speed to Cover the Distance in 10 Minutes:

To match the reported distances and times, calculate the average speed:

o Total Distance Covered in 10 Minutes: 16.67 to 20 miles o Speed (Average):

Speed=DistanceTime=16.67 miles1060 hours=100 mph\text{Speed} =

\frac{\text{Distance}}{\text{Time}} = \frac{16.67 \text{

miles}}{\frac{10}{60} \text{ hours}} = 100 \text{ mph}Speed=TimeDistance

=6010 hours16.67 miles=100 mph

Speed=20 miles1060 hours=120 mph\text{Speed} = \frac{20 \text{ miles}}{\frac{10}{60} \text{ hours}} = 120 \text{ mph}Speed=6010  hours20 miles=120 mph

2. Speed Calculation:

o    Speed Range: Based on the distance covered in 10 minutes, the speed would logically be between 100 and 120 mph.

This aligns with the provided speed estimates. If the bomber covered between 16.67 to 20 miles in the last 10 minutes of its flight before fuel depletion, the speed of 100 to 120 mph is consistent with these distances.

Summary

The bomber's speed of 100 to 120 mph is corroborated by the distance it covered before running out of fuel. Given that the aircraft crashed 18.33 miles from the coast and had been flying for 6 minutes after losing power, this speed range accurately reflects the operational parameters and estimates provided.

Description of the Crash Location of Dean Hallmark’s B-25 Aircraft and Distance to the Coast

Crash Location: The B-25 Mitchell bomber from the Doolittle Raid crashed in the East China Sea, approximately 18.33 miles (29.5 km) from the Chinese coast. This location is roughly 60 miles (96.56 km) north of Wenzhou coastline. The estimated crash site is offshore in the East China Sea, positioned northeast of Wenzhou, in a maritime zone where the crew was aiming to reach landfall after their mission over Japan.

Distance to the Coast: To understand how far they were from reaching the coast: 1. Initial Distance Estimate:

o    The crew reported that they were about 10 minutes away from reaching the Chinese coast when their engines failed due to running out of fuel. o Given their estimated speed of 100 to 120 mph (miles per hour), they would have covered a distance of about 16.67 to 20 miles (26.8 to 32.2 km) in that 10-minute window.

2. Crash Location Relative to the Coast:

• The bomber ultimately crashed into the sea at a distance of approximately 33 miles (29.5 km) from the coastline. This location indicates that they were relatively close to reaching land, but just short of a successful landfall.
• The area 60 miles north of Wenzhou marks the point along the coast they were aiming for, making this the intended target location for landing in China.

Given the details that the crash site of the B-25 Mitchell during the Doolittle Raid is approximately 60 miles north of Wenzhou and 18.33 miles (29.5 km) from the Chinese coastline near Shipuzhen, let's calculate more precise coordinates:

More Precise Coordinates:

1. 60 miles (96.56 km) north of Wenzhou places the crash site near Shipuzhen, positioned offshore.
2. 33 miles (29.5 km) offshore in the East China Sea would suggest a location to the east of Shipuzhen, off the coast.

Calculated Coordinates:

• Latitude: 1° N (north of Wenzhou, near Shipuzhen)
• Longitude: 9° E (east of the coastline in the East China Sea)

Using the input data from Carroll V. Glines's book, the computer has determined a more precise location for the crash of Dean's B-25 during the Doolittle Raid. According to the computed analysis:

Coordinates of the Crash Location: 29.1° N, 121.9° E

I putted the location provided by the computer (red circle) on a map to see where the coordinates are positioned. And look, it’s right near Shipu, now Shipuzhen.

What I also wanted to mention is that Jimmy Doolittle, in one of his books, refers to two raiders who died near Sanmen Bay. Blue circles indicate Sanmen Bay, while the red circle marks the crash location as said probably not 100% correct but it gives us at least an idea on a map where the plane crashed.

About the temperature of the sea water:

On April 18, 1942, around 9 PM, the sea water temperature near Sanmen Bay, China, was likely around 18-20°C (64-68°F). This is based on historical data from the East China Sea, where Sanmen Bay is located.

In water temperatures around 18-20°C (64-68°F), an average person can survive for about 1 to 3 hours before hypothermia sets in, depending on their physical condition, clothing, and movement. At these temperatures, hypothermia can begin to affect a person within 30 to 60 minutes, causing impaired coordination, strength, and cognitive function. Without immediate rescue or proper gear, survival time can be further shortened by cold shock, which can occur within the first few minutes.

Factors like body fat, age, fitness level, and any insulating clothing can extend this time slightly. However, prolonged exposure beyond the initial few hours will drastically increase the risk of unconsciousness and drowning due to muscle failure.

Swimming for example 4 miles in open water, such as a bay, depends heavily on the swimmer's skill, stamina, water conditions, and whether they are wearing any flotation or protective gear. On average:

• A strong, experienced swimmer can swim about 1 to 2 miles per hour. This means covering 4 miles could take between 2 to 4 hours in optimal conditions.
• Average swimmers typically swim at a rate of 1 mile per hour, so it might take them closer to 4 hours to cover the distance.
• Water conditions such as currents, waves, or wind in a bay could significantly slow down a swimmer, potentially increasing the time required.

In water temperatures of 18-20°C (64-68°F), swimming for 2 to 4 hours would pose a serious risk of hypothermia, so it’s unlikely someone could complete this swim without proper gear before their body temperature dropped to dangerous levels.

The survivors of the crash likely became separated due to large waves and rough sea conditions, making it impossible to stay together. The strong currents and turbulent waters near the crash site forced each person to fend for themselves. In these conditions, swimming toward shore individually was likely their only option, as rough seas made coordinated movement impossible.

Despite these challenges, 3 out of 5 crew members survived, likely because they crashed relatively close to land—around 1-2 miles from shore. In water temperatures of 18-20°C (64-68°F), hypothermia would set in after 1-3 hours, so the survivors had to reach land within that time. A strong swimmer can cover 1-2 miles per hour, meaning they could have swum ashore within 1-2 hours, which would still be within the survivable range before hypothermia set in.

If the crash had occurred farther from shore—4 miles or more—the risk of exhaustion and hypothermia would have significantly increased. Therefore, the proximity to land and the ability to keep moving through challenging conditions were likely crucial for survival.

In many cases during World War II, aircrews who ditched or crashed at sea tried to land as close to shore as possible to increase their chances of survival and rescue. Even a few miles closer to the coast could make a significant difference in the likelihood of swimming ashore safely, especially when considering cold water and strong currents.

At coordinates 29.1° N, 121.9° E, near Sanmen Bay, China, the distance to shore is 10-20 kilometers (6-12 miles), which would make it extremely difficult to survive swimming to shore. The water temperatures, strong currents, and fatigue would all make swimming that distance nearly impossible without proper gear or assistance, even for a strong swimmer. Therefore, survival would be highly unlikely in such a scenario without external rescue or specialized gear.

In conclusion, the crash survivors likely managed to swim ashore because the aircraft went down relatively close to land, likely within 1-2 miles from shore. This proximity to the coast was crucial for survival, as the cold water temperatures (18-20°C or 64-68°F) would have induced hypothermia within 1-3 hours, limiting the time they had to swim to safety. While strong swimmers can cover 1-2 miles per hour, larger distances would have greatly increased the risk of exhaustion and hypothermia.

Additionally, during World War II, aircrews frequently aimed to ditch as close to land as possible to increase their chances of survival and rescue, knowing that a few miles closer to shore could make all the difference. In the case of this crash, the rough sea conditions caused the survivors to become separated, but they still managed to reach shore due to their proximity to land and persistence in difficult conditions.