Quzhou's Memorial Hall to Doolittle Raid named national patriotism education base

The exterior of the Memorial Hall to the Doolittle Raid in Quzhou, Zhejiang province. [Photo/WeChat account: quzhouta]

The Memorial Hall to the Doolittle Raid in Quzhou, Zhejiang province, has been named a national patriotism education demonstration base, marking the city's first such designation.

A total of 77 memorial halls, museums, and historical sites across the country were designated as national patriotism education demonstration bases in recognition of their important role in promoting patriotism and fostering shared values.

The Memorial Hall to the Doolittle Raid in Quzhou was first established in October 2018. It is a themed museum that presents the history of the Chinese people who helped rescue US airmen involved in the Doolittle Raid during World War II.

Photographs are exhibited in the memorial hall. [Photo/WeChat account: quzhouta]

On April 18, 1942, US Lieutenant Colonel James Doolittle led a bombing mission over Japan. After the aircraft ran short of fuel, 75 US airmen from 15 crews parachuted or made emergency landings in East China.

Residents in Zhejiang, Anhui, Fujian, and Jiangxi provinces risked retaliation from Japanese forces to search for, shelter, and assist the airmen. Sixty-four of the 75 airmen were rescued, creating a notable episode of wartime humanitarian assistance and becoming a symbol of friendship between the Chinese and US peoples.

The memorial hall covers 1,500 square meters, with an exhibition area of 960 square meters. It displays more than 200 physical artifacts and more than 400 historical photographs, including bomber wreckage, pilots' insignias and handwritten letters.