The Nanking Massacre, also known as the “Rape of Nanking”, was one of the most horrific episodes in modern history. On December 13, 1937, the Imperial Japanese Army seized control of Nanjing, then capital of the Republic of China. What followed was an atrocity so cruel and inhumane that it shocked the world and left an indelible stain on Japan’s reputation.
For six weeks, Japanese soldiers killed an estimated 300,000 Chinese citizens — men, women and children — with no mercy or remorse. They executed prisoners of war; plundered homes; raped thousands of women; burned churches and schools. The massacre occurred during a time period known as “The Second Sino-Japanese War” (1937-1945), in which Japan launched a full-scale invasion of mainland China.
To this day, many survivors continue to suffer from psychological trauma brought on by their unimaginable experiences during this time. To commemorate this tragedy and raise awareness about its lasting impact on generations of people in China and elsewhere, many documentaries have been made over the years such as the award winning film “Nanking” directed by Bill Guttentag and Dan Sturman.
This documentary offers an inspiring look into how ordinary citizens risked their lives to protect their neighbours from certain death during this turbulent period in history. Weaving together archival footage with riveting interviews from survivors and rescuers alike it brings to light some heartbreaking stories that will take your breath away.
We highly recommend watching “Nanking” if you are looking for more information about the Nanking Massacre or simply want to learn more about World War II history in Asia. It is sure to give you a better understanding of what happened during that fateful winter in 1937 – a moment that altered the course of world history forever.
