The Raider’s carrier task force (TF-16) was spotted by Japanese vessels well before they arrived at the intended departure point so the Raiders were forced to launch from the carrier Hornet earlier than planned. Fuel calculations now fell short of the planned amount needed for their destination, Chuchow, China. Their arrival in China would be at night, rather than during daylight as originally planned. Fortunately, sailors on the Hornet filled ten, five-gallon gas cans and passed them hand-to-hand to each aircraft, providing the fuel that made the difference between pitching at sea and coming down over land.
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