The First and Second World Wars were two events of great magnitude that marked the history of the 20th century. The scale of both wars hid other bloody events. The 1937 Nanjing massacre is one of the most brutal and violent episodes ever known.
In the context of the Second Sino-Japanese War
The army of the Japanese Empire was at war in Chinese territory and, after defeating Chinese troops at the Battle of Nanjing, occupied the city . From that moment on, Japanese soldiers committed all kinds of atrocity on the civilian population: assaults, looting, rape, torture and murder.
Also, part of the city was destroyed after several fires. Some Japanese officials participated in unique competitions in which the winner would be the one who cuts off the most Chinese with his machete.
An estimated 300,000 non-combatants died during the massacre. The violence against the population of Nanjing lasted for three months and during this period Japanese soldiers were ordered not to respect the prisoners of war.
Some foreigners who remained in the city gathered valuable information about the massacre and these witnesses were decisive for the Tokyo War Tribunal to try those responsible for the massacre after World War II.
Eighty years later, the Nanjing Massacre is the cause of political tension between China and Japan
A section of Japanese society believes that the numbers of this massacre were exaggerated and that in fact the dead were only the Chinese military. Japanese textbooks omit data on the Nanjing episodes and no government has expressed its repudiation of what happened in 1937.
Over the years, numerous demonstrations have taken place in various Chinese cities to express their hatred of the Japanese enemy. On the other hand, at various times, the memory of the Japanese invasion has caused the population to boycott Japanese products.
A Nazi who saved the lives of thousands of Chinese during the Nanjing Massacre
John Rabe was a German citizen sympathetic to Nazi ideals. In 1937, he was working at the multinational Siemens, in the city of Nanjing, then the capital of China. Although Rabe fled the city before the massacre began, he decided to stay there and with the help of other foreigners he organized a safe area to protect the Chinese population.
In his personal diary, Rabe recorded the atrocities committed by Japanese troops. His performance during the tragic events saved the lives of thousands of citizens of Nanjing.
In 2009 a documentary about his life appeared with the title “John Rabe”. The film won important awards, but cannot be shown in cinemas in Japan.