European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - April 16, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Thursday april 16, 1992 the stars and stripes c Page 9 Doolittle s raiders marking big 50 by . Rigsby the associated press Columbia . Doolittle a raiders the men who led the first air raid on Japan during world War ii Aje gathering at the place where it All began to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the attack. Half of the 80 raiders Are still alive and 36 plan to attend the reunion which runs from today through saturday. As Young men they met at the Columbia army air base before going to Florida to train in Short takeoffs and landings. Missing from the reunion will be James h. Doolittle who As a lieutenant colonel led the daring team. Doolittle 95, lives in Carmel Calif. On april 18, 1942, 16 b-25 bombers took off from the aircraft Carrier Hornet the first fully loaded bombers Ever to take off from a Carrier. The raid was the United states answer to Japan a attack on Pearl Harbor four months earlier. Although the bombs Doolittle a raiders dropped inflicted no serious damage the Mission was a much needed boost to american morale. The Crews planned to unload their bombs Over Japan then land in chinese territory that was in Friendly hands. But Stormy weather made it impossible for them to reach Safe Haven and most of the planes crash landed in China after running out of fuel some in japanese held areas. One plane landed safely in the soviet Union and its Crew members were held for a year before they escaped. Three of the 80 airmen died when their planes crash landed. Eight were captured by the japanese of those three were executed one died in prison and four were released when the War ended. The three former prisoners of War still alive plan to attend the reunion. A i Harbor no ill feelings toward anyone a said Chase Nielsen 75, of Brigham City Utah who was a lieutenant and navigator when he was captured. Tight squeeze an old b-25 bomber named a is Kunkiel just manages to slip under a railway trestle in Columbia ., As it Heads for a resting place in the state museum. The world War ii plane crashed into Lake Greenwood near Columbia in 1945 and will be part of the 50th anniversary Celebration of Jimmy Doolittle a famous Mission against Japan. He said he was tortured starved and suspended in Handcuffs so that his toes barely touched the floor. The japanese a were fighting the War the same As we were a he said. Jacob Deshazer a Corporal and Bombardier wrote poems on an imaginary blackboard and memorized Bible verses to pass the time he spent in prison Camp. After the War Deshazer now 79 and living in Salem ore., became a minister and spent 30 years As a missionary in Japan and China. A i just love the japanese a he said. Robert Hite 72, of Camden ark., saw his weight drop to 80 pounds during his stay in a japanese prison. He was bitten by bugs rats and lice suffered starvation and had water poured Down his nose. He said he hated the japanese for a Long time. But the former lieutenant and co Pilot acknowledged that his Crew had bombed japanese Oil tanks and an aircraft factory. A a i guess maybe they had to forgive me too a he said. The menus exploits were recorded in the 1944 film thirty seconds Over Tokyo starring Spencer Tracy As Jimmy Doolittle. The men have held annual reunions for years.3rd arrest made in terrorist Hunt London up a police and officers from the anti terrorist Branch currently questioning a Man and a woman arrested a third person under the prevention of terrorism act Scotland Yard said wednesday. A we can confirm that we have arrested a third person under the prevention of terrorism act. It is part of our ongoing anti terrorist investigations a said a spokesman who would give no further details and would not say whether wednesdays arrest was linked to the other two. Less than 24 hours after the Man and woman were arrested monday in Northwest London police discovered a Cache of explosives and guns a Scotland Yard spokeswoman said earlier. The Cache which included 70 pounds of the plastic explosive semtex and a dozen guns was found in a rented garage several Miles from the House in Northwest London the British broadcasting corp. Reported. The Cache was uncovered after police discovered a handgun while searching the Bungalow where the pair were arrested the bbl said. Scotland Yard refused to comment on whether the monday arrests were made in connection with the weekends Irish Republican army bombing attacks in London that killed three people and wounded 91. The Man  being questioned were arrested late monday after a lengthy surveillance operation. Under the prevention of terrorism act suspects can be held for 48 hours without charge and for a further five with the approval of the Home Secretary. British spouses of gis in . Liable for poll tax court rules from staff and wire reports London a British spouses of . Service Mem ers stationed in Britain must pay a controversial local tax even if they Seldom use local services the court of Appeal ruled wednesday. Three judges ruled unanimously in a test Case affecting about 4,000 spouses and other family members that 13 wives of military personnel at the . Air Force base at Raf upper Heyword Are liable for the tax although they May Benefit Little if at All from Public services. Lord Justice Michael Mann said the British spouses unlike american family members did not fall within the term a exempt individuals under the legislation that set up the poll tax a per capita charge that helps pay for local services. A in practice their liabilities will be discharged by their husbands who May understandably regard payment As a penalty for marriage to a British citizen a Mann said. Among the plaintiffs was Stephanie vendrely the British wife of a . Service member who now must pay her outstanding Bill of 538 pounds $952 for two years of poll taxes. �?�1 am disgusted because As the wives of . Servicemen we Are not eligible for any state benefits and we done to take advantage of the Public services. They done to give us anything but still expect us to pay the poll tax a vendrely said. Environment department spokesman David prior said the British spouses Are liable for the tax because they have retained their British citizenship. He also questioned the notion that the spouses did not Benefit from the services funded by the poll tax. A if they used the local Library if they drove Down streets lit by Street lamps if they walked rather than levitated Down the local Footpath if Thev wanted the streets swept the police to be on Call Quot then they took advantage of services provided by their local councils prior said. The poll tax is a legacy of former prime minister Margaret Thatcher that the tory government has decided to replace next year. It has been criticized As regressive. The new tax called a Council tax starts april 1993 and currently has no clauses to exclude anyone a including . Service members according to 3rd air Force officials. However officials said they Are negotiating the Issue with the British government. After the court of Appeal ruling 3rd air Force spokeswoman master sgt. Merrie Schilter Lowe said a obviously we Are disappointed. However this was a private matter Between the spouses of some . Air Force personnel and the United kingdom  air Force Legal officials did provide a sufficient funds to cover the women Slegal fees Lowe said. However officials would not give the exact amount. A because they were married to service members they were entitled to Legal Aid a Lowe said. Liz Loughran the spouses solicitor said the wives were very disappointed Over the ruling. A some of the husbands have particularly Strong feelings about it. They know they ultimately will have to Jay and go through the Exchange rate system a said Sughran referring to the rate of Exchange for the Dol a to the British Pound. A that Means  actually pay More than the average British  the wives could still Appeal their Case to the House of lords. But Loughran and Schilter Lowe said the women have decided not to. Stall writer Meridith Winder in the United kingdom contributed to this report