The Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders, a site dedicated to remembering one of the most tragic events in history, announced the unveiling of a significant collection of historical materials. These materials, which offer stark evidence of the brutalities inflicted by Japanese troops during the Nanjing Massacre, come to light ahead of the 10th National Memorial Day for the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre, observed on Wednesday.
This extensive collection, comprising 1,103 items, is a crucial addition to the existing archives at the memorial hall. Among the notable acquisitions is an army journal and 125 U.S. newspapers, the latter donated by an American-Chinese individual, Lu Zhaoning. The journal, covering the period from August to December 1937, meticulously records the heinous acts committed by Japanese forces, including rape, looting, and the mass mutilation of Chinese soldiers. This military document, differing from personal diaries of Japanese officers, provides an objective account of the troops’ activities, offering new insights into the extent of the atrocities committed.
The six-week occupation of Nanjing, which began on December 13, 1937, stands as one of the most horrific instances of wartime violence. Japanese troops massacred over 300,000 Chinese civilians and unarmed soldiers, marking the event as one of the greatest wartime atrocities in World War II. The new materials shed further light on this dark period, including Japanese military files that detail the capture of Nanjing, orders issued, and routes taken during the invasion.
The collection also includes significant coverage from U.S. newspapers like The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, and St. Louis Post-Dispatch. These publications documented the violence in Nanjing and the reactions of Western countries, providing a global perspective on the events. Notably, these documents feature coverage of “The hundred man killing contest,” a gruesome competition between two Japanese officers to see who could kill the most people.
Additionally, international media coverage from the period, including front-page stories in The New York Times and photographs in French newspapers, highlight the aftermath of the occupation and the widespread destruction in Shanghai.
Currently, the Memorial Hall houses over 193,000 items, making it a significant repository of historical evidence of the Nanjing Massacre. Zhou Feng, the curator of the memorial hall, emphasizes the importance of in-depth research into these materials. He notes that the hall is committed to enhancing the international dissemination of the Nanjing Massacre archives, which are part of the Memory of the World Register. This effort aims to revitalize and utilize cultural relics and historical materials to ensure that the memories of this tragic event remain alive and contribute to the collective understanding of history.
The unveiling of these new materials at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre not only enriches the historical record but also serves as a poignant reminder of the atrocities of war. It underscores the importance of preserving and studying historical evidence to honor the memory of the victims and to foster a deeper understanding of the past.
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