What was the innovative approach devised by Jimmy Doolittle during World War II?

Jimmy Doolittle is renowned for his innovative strategy of launching bombers from Navy aircraft carriers, which was a groundbreaking development during World War II. This approach demonstrated the versatility of aircraft carriers, allowing land-based bombers to strike enemy targets far beyond the reach of their base.

The famous Doolittle Raid, conducted in April 1942, utilized B-25 Mitchell bombers launched from the aircraft carrier USS Hornet. This mission provided a significant morale boost for the United States following the attack on Pearl Harbor and showcased the capability of the U.S. military to project air power over long distances and deliver strikes on the Japanese mainland, even without traditional airfields.

This tactic represented a remarkable shift in military operations, as it illustrated the potential for combining naval and aerial forces in a manner that was previously untested. Other options, such as the use of jets, new fighter designs, or advancements in radar, while significant in their own right, did not stem from Doolittle's contributions in the same transformative way as the bomber launches from carriers.