The Great Warriors Who Landed on Quzhou
On April 18th, 1942, 80 American warriors started the most dangerous flight in their lives with a great goal. They had no idea if they could go back to their motherland safely, or if they were going to die. Furthermore, they couldn’t speak any Chinese, only knowing that the destination of their flight was Quzhou.
This great secret mission was full of difficulties, and somehow they couldn’t land at Quzhou Airport smoothly after the mission. The crew members were forced to bail out and landed in the villages near Quzhou. Luckily, the villagers were kind and helpful, they helped the crews and tried their best to find out who the foreigners were and why they had come to those remote villages. Finally, the crews arrived at Quzhou airport in safety and found a way back to their motherland. However, unfortunately the villagers were killed by the Japanese for helping those American pilots.
This secret mission was planned and led by James Doolittle, a Lieutenant Colonel of the US Army Air Forces, therefore it was called Doolittle Raid, the first air attack on the Japanese Home Islands. It had a great impact on the war situation at that time, because 4 months ago, the Japanese attacked the Pearl Harbor unexpectedly, and the US navy was hit hard. All the Americans were infuriated, and the decision of the attack on Tokyo was made. The mission showed that the US Navy still had great strength and also boosted morale within the country. It also led to Japan’s Midway attack , in which the Japanese were heavily defeated. All in all, the Doolittle Raid can be considered as the start of the turning point in the Pacific War.
Although the Doolittle Raid happened over 70 years ago, it still has significant impact nowadays. The influence is especially obvious in my hometown Quzhou, where the warriors landed. Almost all the people here know the Doolittle Raid and how the villagers helped them. A museum was also built in order to exhibit relevant photos and information, and visitors have a chance to understand how Doolittle and his men completed the mission which seemed impossible. What local people did also let people know the friendship between Chinese and American. In general, the Doolittle Raid is not only a successful mission, but also serves as a spiritual bond between two countries.
It is a pity that most of those warriors and the villagers who helped them have passed away. However, their courage, selflessness and kindness influence our youth. It doesn’t mean that we should be active in the war and risk our life for something. Of course, we should do something as we can when our country needs us. But in peacetime, this kind of spirit is more about pacifism, patriotism, kindness and especially the sense of social responsibility. For example, when our country is insulted, we should protect its honor; when someone needs help, we give him a hand. The social responsibility means a devotion rooting in your heart when nobody forces you to do anything. This kind of spirit has influenced lots of people and will continue to influence more people as spirit is indelible.
There will be less war in the future, but the history of Doolittle Raid will have a greater impact. Because the touching story like helping strangers without understanding the language of each other seldom happens, it can become an spiritual bond between American and Chinese. The story also shows that people can get on well with each other even if they come from different countries. Taking this as an example, maybe we don’t need war any more someday.
The Doolittle Raid will never be forgotten; those warriors who landed in Quzhou not only contributed to peace, but also left us a story in which the kindness of human beings shines.
高二（7）
苏畅