Definition of the Nanking Massacre

World War I and World War II were two events of great magnitude that marked the history of the 20th century. The scale of both wars overshadowed other bloody events. The Nanking Massacre of 1937 constitutes one of the most brutal and violent episodes known.

In the context of the Second Sino-Japanese War

The army of the Japanese Empire was at war in territory Chinese and, after defeating Chinese troops at the Battle of Nanjing, occupied the city. From that moment the Japanese soldiers committed all kinds of atrocities on the population civil: robbery, looting, rape, torture and murder.

Likewise, a part of the city was destroyed after several arsons. Some Japanese officials participated in unique competitions in which the winner was the one who beheaded the most Chinese with the katana.

An estimated 300,000 non-combatants died during the massacre. The violence on the population of Nanjing it lasted for three months and during this period the Japanese soldiers were ordered not to respect the prisoners of war.

Some foreigners who remained in the city collected valuable information about the massacre and these testimonies They were decisive for the Tokyo War Court to try those responsible for the massacre after World War II. world

Eighty years later, the Nanking Massacre is a source of political tension between China and Japan

A sector of Japanese society considers that the figures of the massacre have been exaggerated and that in reality the people killed were Chinese military personnel. In the books of text Japan, data on the Nanking episodes are omitted and no government The Japanese have expressed their rejection of what happened in 1937.

Over the years there have been countless demonstrations in different Chinese cities to express their hatred against the Japanese enemy. On the other hand, at different 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 Nanking Massacre

John Rabe was a citizen German who sympathized with the ideals of the Nazism. In 1937 he was working in the multinational Siemens in the city of Nanking, then the capital of China. Although Rabe was able to flee the city before the massacre began, he decided to remain there and with the help of other foreigners organized a zone of safety to protect the Chinese population.

In his personal diary, Rabe recorded the atrocities committed by the Japanese troops. His actions during the tragic events saved the lives of thousands of Nanking citizens.

In 2009 he appeared a documentary film about his life with the title "John Rabe". The film won major awards, but could not be screened in theaters in Japan.