An air-raid shelter in Wangcun village, Quzhou, where Doolittle Raid pilots gathered and sought refuge in 1942. [Photo/app.qz123.com]

The bomb shelter, affectionately referred to as the "Stone Restaurant" in the diaries and memoirs of nearly all Doolittle Raid members, is located in Wangcun village, Quzhou, and provided the first safe haven for the pilots after days of fear, displacement, and uncertainty.

The village was home to the 13th Air Force Headquarters, boasting not only bomb shelters but also offices, dormitories, and accommodations capable of housing over 100 people for lodging and dining.

It was within these walls that Lieutenant Colonel James H. Doolittle and his fellow pilots forged an enduring bond with the people of Quzhou during the resistance against the Japanese invasion.

Quzhou residents safely escorted 51 of the Doolittle Raid members to the 13th Air Force Headquarters. Their brave and kind actions left an indelible mark on the hearts of the team members, their descendants, and most Americans, adding a vibrant chapter to the history of Sino-American exchanges, noted Zheng Weiyong, deputy secretary-general of the Zhejiang Provincial Historical Society.

The crew members spent nearly 10 days in this air-raid shelter, during which time the staff went above and beyond to provide them with a comfortable environment, as recounted by Luan Zongliang, Party secretary of the village, who learned this from elderly residents.

Luan added that the locals were very enthusiastic about supporting the American pilots and offering them food and drink.