The Goodness and Beauty Under Fire
By Wu Mengzi Class 12
War often brings a sense of misery and heaviness, but there is also goodness and beauty.
On December seventh 1941, when World War II was in full swing, Japanese force launched a sneak raid on pearl harbor which inflicted heavy losses on the US Pacific Fleet. Just five months later, eighty American pilots flew 16 bombers to retaliate against several Japanese cities, including Tokyo. It was called the most dauntless air raid in the world’s military history. After the bombing mission, American pilots crash-landed in the sight of the Japanese and Chinese troops. It was Chinese coastal army and people who risked their lives to rescue the Americans.
For the United States, the air raid not only caused huge impact to Japan, but also boosted the low morale of the United States. However, turn eyes to China, it must first be admitted that this was a huge disaster. In retaliation for the rescue to Americans, Japanese troops launched the battle of Zhejiang and Kiangsi and even used chemical weapons, killing about 250,000 Chinese and razing many villages that had received Americans. It can be said that China paid an extremely heavy price for successful air raid. At the same time, it had also planted the seeds of friendly exchanges between China and the United States. “These heroes have always been respected and admired by the American people, and we will never forget the great contributions they have made, nor the Chinese who have contributed to the cause of freedom and justice” former President George w. bush said, at a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the air raid. In 2017, the release of the Sino-American co-production Air raid film is a testament to the profound friendship between the two countries over the years.
However, as the trade war between China and the United States is becoming increasingly fierce, the United States and China are holding each other to each other，and relations between the two sides once dropped to the freezing point .It made me sign about how relations between China and the United States have changed over the years? We used to be Allies on the same side, but now we are fighting against each other for economic gain. Is this not contrary to the original intention of the two countries?
I interviewed the students around me, and had meant to ask them what they thought about the two things. It was surprised to find that nearly half of people don’t know anything about the Doolittle raid. Even some people who study history know little about it. I asked why, the reason they gave me was that this phase of history is relatively unpopular, and usually they won’t go to browse the relevant information. It was a pity that even in the high school history textbooks hasn’t covered in yet. We remember the coldness of the second world war and the evolution of the relationship between China and the United States after the second world war, but we forget to lay one of the warmest chapters to our hearts. If China and the United States always remember that the help of both sides, if such stories can be passed down from generation to generation, then I believe all doubts will be dissipated and all defenses will be lifted. I think that was the most lasting and far-reaching impact of the Doolittle Raid on both countries.
This was not the only event in World War II that sparkles with humanity, but there were actually a lot of nation-to-nation moments during the second world war. When war comes, there is only one starting point, I think, for people of all races and nationalities to unite against. It is love and peace. This love is not only for oneself, for others, but also for nations and countries. Americans might have the courage to sacrifice their lives to defend homes, but now they can also see the drawbacks of trade wars, putting the national interest first, and cease hostilities and negotiate for peace. The Chinese could save American pilots at the cost of their lives, but now we are also willing to make up with Americans again. China and the United States have never been at mutual throats, though we are separated by the Pacific Ocean, our hearts are still close. We can support each other in times of crisis and seek common development through peace.