Great Spirit Guides Us Ahead
On December 7th, the Japanese army was carrying on a sneak attack on Pearl Harbor, which was a heavy blow to the Americans. Therefore, a project was carefully orchestrated, which was called “30 seconds over Tokyo”. At 12:30 on April 18,1942, pilot Doolittle led 80 warriors and drove 16 modified B-25 bombers, dropping bombs of revenge over the sky of Japan. However, due to the shortage of fuel caused by the previous flying-off and the blockade of contact, they could not timely get in touch with Quzhou airport thus using up the fuel and having no other choices but to abandon the plane and parachute. Hardly did the local civilians know this when they began to take a risk to save them. After that they made proper arrangements for the saved air crew and escorted them to gather in Quzhou. Such heroic undertaking has led to far- reaching impact then, now and even in the future.
Among the 80 pilots, 64 of them were rescued by the Quzhou civilians. The action once had earned a great acclaim in the Anti fascist camp, the members of which were greatly inspired to draw together and expel fascism from the land of their own. What’s more, the Japanese army was given a heavy blow by the determined attackers, which prompted the success of the World War II.
With the history changing, the impact of the action that Quzhou civilians saved the pilots of Doolittle Raid lasts instead of drowning in the long process of history. The 45 survivals of Doolittle bomber patrol again flocked together and personally come to China every year to extend their sincere gratitude to the Chinese people who had once saved their lives. And a delegation led by Mr. Blain also paid a visit to Quzhou and dedicated a monument around the centre of which there are signatures of 44 survivals as a gift to Quzhou Overseas Affairs Office. In that very year, 75-year-old Ozark who was ever a member of the Doolittle bomber patrol wrote a letter to his lifesaver, in which he said: Chinese people saved my life 50 years ago, I remember this in my heart at any moment. Not only he but also any other one in the patrol has expressed their gratefulness in their own way. Mr. Blain also bridged his hometown-- Red Wing City of American to be the sister city with Quzhou City. Thanks to this, the people in both nations have a better understanding of history and assist the youth of two countries to now such history so as to promote friendship between the two countries.
Until today, lots of Americans walk into the Museum of US and China Joined Hands during Anti-Japanese War to recall the moving scene at that very year. I could clearly see their respect, sincerity and gratitude on their faces as if it was they who were saved at that time. I was totally moved by the special spirit that individuals see the responsibility of the nation as their own’s and go to great lengths to exercise it. And what I firmly believe is that the rescue happened over 70 years ago has unquestioningly left a deep impression on both Americans and Chinese, embraving them to remain true to their original aspiration and inherit the spirit generation after generation.
I am greatly inspired by so great the effect caused by the rescuable action for I’ve never thought a small action in which no more than 100 people was saved could have such a significant influence as it actually had. However, whenever I thought of that it was in that very situation when Chinese people could not even guarantee their own safety that they saved others without any hesitation, Words fail me to express my feelings for their selflessness was just beyond description. They are all great people, who were once in trouble, but spared no efforts to save others regardless of the risk of losing their own life, as if there were something special in their souls. That guides us ahead bravely and firmly.
高二（6）
姚忻悦