The exterior of the Memorial Hall to the Doolittle Raid in Quzhou, Zhejiang province. [Photo/app.qz123.com]

The Memorial Hall to the Doolittle Raid in Quzhou, Zhejiang province, which opened to the public in 2018, serves as a powerful reminder of the spontaneous rescue of American pilots by Chinese people 81 years ago.

Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor during World War II, the Doolittle Raid took place on April 18, 1942, where 16 B-25 bombers executed a daring assault on Japan. Communication and fuel shortages, among other challenges, led Doolittle and his fellow pilots to bail out or crash-land in China during their return journey. Chinese civilians heroically rescued 64 of the airmen.

The memorial hall now houses a remarkable collection of over 200 historical photographs, along with models of the Hornet aircraft carrier and B-25 bombers that were involved in the combat.

To honor this historic event, members and descendants of the Doolittle Raid have established the Doolittle Raiders Association and the Descendants of the Doolittle Raiders Association.

These groups organize commemorative events every April 18, celebrating the triumph of the Doolittle Raid while paying homage to the Chinese heroes who risked their lives to rescue them.