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Brutality Following the Fall of Nanjing: Large-Scale Massacres

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Abstract

Japanese troops committed atrocities in and around Nanjing the moment they arrived. Five American and British correspondents, who remained inside the city walls to cover the siege battles and expected fall of the city, provided timely eyewitness accounts of Japanese atrocious behaviors in their news wires, thus breaking the news of the Nanjing Massacre to the outside world, placing the infamous carnage under the global spotlight, and shocking the world with its magnitude and brutality.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    A. T. Steele, “Japanese Troops Kill Thousands,” Chicago Daily News, Dec. 15, 1937, p. 1.

  2. 2.

    A. T. Steele, “Reporter Likens Slaughter of Panicky Nanking Chinese to Jackrabbit Drive in U. S.,” Chicago Daily News, February 4, 1938, p. 2.

  3. 3.

    F. Tillman Durdin, “Japanese Atrocities Marked Fall of Nanking After Chinese Command Fled,” NYT, January 9, 1938, p. 38.

  4. 4.

    F. Tillman Durdin, “Butchery Marked Capture of Nanking,” NYT, December 18, 1937, p. 1.

  5. 5.

    Arthur Menken, “Witness Tells Nanking Horror as Chinese Flee,” Chicago Daily Tribune, December 17, 1937, p. 4.

  6. 6.

    “Terror in Nanking,” The Times (London), December 18, 1937, p. 12.

  7. 7.

    C. Yates M’Daniel, “Nanking Horror Described in Diary of War Reporter,” Chicago Daily Tribune, December 18, 1937, p. 8.

  8. 8.

    Katsuichi Honda, The Nanjing Massacre, pp. 184–187.

  9. 9.

    今井正剛 (Masatake Imai), “南京城内の大量殺人 (The Mass Killings inside Nanjing),” 特集文藝春秋 (Special Issue of Bungeishunju Magazine), December 1956, p. 159. Another version of the English translation can be found in Katsuichi Honda, The Nanjing Massacre, p. 188.

  10. 10.

    松本重治 (Shigeharu Matsumoto), 上海時代 (下) (Shanghai Times, Vol. III), Tokyo: 中央公論社 (Chuokoron Press), 1975, p. 251.

  11. 11.

    前田雄二 (Yuji Maeda), 戦争の流れの中に (In the Currents of the War), Tokyo: 善本社 (Zenponsha), 1982, pp. 117–121.

  12. 12.

    Suping Lu, “Nanjing Massacre,” in Encyclopedia of Human Rights, Vol. IV, ed. by David P. Forsythe, London: Oxford University Press, 2009, p. 30.

  13. 13.

    Chuan-Ying Hsu, Written Testimony, June 6, 1946, Document No. 1734, Exhibit No. 205, Microfilm Set T918, Roll 12, Court Papers, Journal, Exhibits, and Judgments of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, RG238, National Archives II.

  14. 14.

    Christian Jakob Kröger, “A report by Christian Kröger, treasurer of the Zone Committee,” January 13, 1938, in Good Man of Nanking Diaries of John Rabe, ed. by Erwin Wickert, translated by John E. Woods, New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1998, p. 144.

  15. 15.

    John G. Magee, Case 3, Film 2, Folder 7, Box 263, RG8, Special Collection, YDSL.

  16. 16.

    “石明证言 (Testimony by Shi Ming),” 1992年4月7日刘相云根据其口述记录整理 (Re-corded by Liu Xiangyun on April 7, 1992, according to his oral account), in CTS, p. 22.

  17. 17.

    唐光谱 (Tang Guangpu), “我所经历的日军南京大屠杀 (The Japanese Troops’ Nanjing Massacre I Experienced),” in NDB, pp. 288–289.

  18. 18.

    Katsuichi Honda, The Nanjing Massacre, p. 226.

  19. 19.

    “史荣禄证言 (Testimony by Shi Ronglu),” 刘虎、姜秀华调查记录 (Surveyed & recorded by Liu Hu and Jiang Xiuhua), in SMN, p. 408.

  20. 20.

    Katsuichi Honda, The Nanjing Massacre, pp. 247–248.

  21. 21.

    “夏万顺证言 (Testimony by Xia Wanshun),” 陈平稳据口述整理 (Recorded and edited by Chen Pingwen according to the oral account), in CTS, p. 350.

  22. 22.

    “崔金贵证言 (Testimony by Cui Jingui),” 战国利、杨正元调查记录 (Surveyed & re-corded by Zhan Guoli and Yang Zhengyuan), in SMN, p. 474.

  23. 23.

    “郭国强证言 (Testimony by Guo Guoqiang),” 李春明、陶俊调查记录 (Surveyed & re-corded by Li Chunming and Tao Jun), in SMN, p. 402.

  24. 24.

    “葛仕坤证言 (Testimony by Ge Shikun),” 陶俊、李春明调查记录 (Surveyed & recorded by Tao Jun and Li Chunming), in CTS, pp. 18–19.

  25. 25.

    “张静芝证言 (Testimony by Zhang Jingzhi),” 曹望鸿调查记录 (Surveyed & recorded by Cao Wanghong), in CTS, p. 300.

  26. 26.

    Minnie Vautrin, Diaries, February 15, 1938, Minnie Vautrin Papers, DCHSL.

  27. 27.

    Minnie Vautrin, Diaries, April 22, 1938, Minnie Vautrin Papers, DCHSL.

  28. 28.

    “张连才证言 (Testimony by Zhang liancai),” 金登林、杨云、夏龙生调查记录 (Surveyed & recorded by Jin Denglin, Yang Yun and Xia Longsheng), in CTS, p. 123.

  29. 29.

    “沈文君证言 (Testimony by Shen Wenjun),” 陈平稳据口述整理 (Recorded and edited by Chen Pingwen according to the oral account), in CTS, p. 351.

  30. 30.

    “查讯证人殷有余笔录 (Cross-examining Witness Yin Youyu Transcript),” October 19, 1946, in SCA, pp. 634–636.

  31. 31.

    “下关警察局调查日军在鱼雷营集体屠杀军民致首都地方法院检察处公函 (An Official Letter Xianguan Police Department sent to the Prosecution Section of the Capital Local Court concerning the soldiers and civilians massacred by Japanese troops at the Torpedo Barracks),” January 8, 1946, in ADN, p. 141.

  32. 32.

    “世界红卍字会南京分会救济队掩埋组掩埋尸体具数统计表 (Burial Statistics, Relief Team’s Burial Squad, World Red Swastika Society Nanjing Branch),” in ADN, p. 457.

  33. 33.

    “中国红十字会南京分会掩埋队第一队按月统计表 (Monthly Statistics of the First Burial Squad, China Red Cross Society Nanjing Branch),” in ADN, 1997, p. 467.

  34. 34.

    “何守江证言 (Testimony by He Shoujiang),” 李文奎、刘雯等调查记录 (Surveyed & recorded by Li Wenkui, Liu Wen and others), in SMN, pp. 411–412.

  35. 35.

    张陈氏 (Zhang Chenshi), “张陈氏陈述其夫张家志在宝塔桥被日军枪杀的结文 (Affidavit by Zhang Chenshi stating that her husband Zhang Jiazhi was shot dead by Japanese troops at Pagoda Bridge),” in ADN, p. 139.

  36. 36.

    “黄张氏证言 (Testimony by Huang Zhangshi),” 陈平稳据口述整理 (Recorded and edited by Chen Pingwen according to the oral account), in CTS, p. 51.

  37. 37.

    “张士荣证言 (Testimony by Zhang Shirong),” 段月萍据1986年11月来函整理 (Edited by Duan Yueping according to a letter sent in November 1986), in CTS, p. 55.

  38. 38.

    “赖立清证言 (Testimony by Lai Liqing),” 李帼义调查记录 (Surveyed & recorded by Li Guoyi), in CTS, p. 402.

  39. 39.

    “陈德贵证言 (Testimony by Chen Degui),” 李文奎、刘雯、冯中美调查记录 (Surveyed and recorded by Li Wenkui, Liu Wen and Feng Zhongmei), in SMN, pp. 405–406.

  40. 40.

    George A. Fitch, diaries, p. 16, Folder 202, Box 9, RG11, YDSL.

  41. 41.

    “陆法曾陈述日军集体屠杀首都电厂职工的结文 (An affidavit by Lu Fazeng stating that Capital Electric Power Plant employees were massacred by Japanese troops),” October 25, 1945, in ADN, p. 123.

  42. 42.

    汤有才 (Tang Youcai), “汤有才为其子汤良江等在煤炭港被日军集体屠杀致南京市政府呈文 (A petition by Tang Youcai to Nanjing Municipal Government concerning his son Tang Liangjiang and others who were massacred by Japanese troops at Coal Dock),” October 9, 1945, in ADN, p. 121.

  43. 43.

    “潘开明证言 (Testimony by Pan Kaiming),” 蒋琳调查记录 (Surveyed & recorded by Jiang Lin), in SMN, p. 407.

  44. 44.

    “刘喜权证言 (Testimony by Liu Xiquan),” 吴大兴、章步锦、朱玉静调查记录 (Surveyed and recorded by Wu Daxing, Zhang Bujin and Zhu Yujing), in CTS, pp. 25–26.

  45. 45.

    梁廷芳 (Liang Tinfang), 白增荣 (Bai Zengrong), “日军进占南京时大屠杀之实际情形证明书 (A testimony concerning the actual happenings of the massacre when Japanese troops occupied Nanjing),” October 7, 1946, in ADN, pp. 107–108.

  46. 46.

    “刘永兴证言 (Testimony by Liu Yongxing),” 陈小敏、汤云龙调查记录 (Surveyed & recorded by Chen Xiaomin and Tang Yunlong), in SMN, pp. 409–410.

  47. 47.

    徐进 (Xu Jin), “徐进为日军在中山码头集体屠杀青年致蒋介石呈文 (A petition by Xu Jin to Chiang Kai-shek concerning Japanese troops mass executing young people at Zhongshan Wharf),” January 26, 1946, in SMN, pp. 104–105.

  48. 48.

    Shang Teh Yi, Written Testimony,“April 7, 1946, Document No. 1735, Exhibit No. 206, Microfilm Set T918, Roll 12, Court Papers, Journal, Exhibit, and Judgment of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, RG238, National Archives II.

  49. 49.

    “郭学根证言 (Testimony by Guo Xuegen),” 郭永柱调查记录 (Surveyed & recorded by Guo Yongzhu), in CTS, pp. 52–53.

  50. 50.

    “张士荣证言 (Testimony by Zhang Shirong),” in CTS, p. 55.

  51. 51.

    施赓云 (Shi Gengyun), “施赓云为亲属被日军屠杀致国民政府委员钮永健呈文 (A petition by Shi Gengyun to Niu Yongjian, a member of the National Government, concerning his family members killed by Japanese troops),” February14, 1946, in ADN, p. 113.

  52. 52.

    戴张氏 (Dai Zhangshi), “戴张氏陈述其夫戴光玮在下关被日军枪杀的结文 (An affidavit by Dai Zhangshi stating that his husband Dai Guangwei was shot dead by Japanese troops at Xiaguan),” December 11, 1945, in ADN, p. 111.

  53. 53.

    殷南冈 (Yin Nangang), “殷南冈陈述日军在龙江桥江口集体屠杀军民的结文 (An affida-vit by Yin Nangang stating Chinese soldiers and civilians were massacred by Japanese troops at the river mouth by Longjiang Bridge),” November 25, 1945, in ADN, pp. 142–143.

  54. 54.

    胡春庭 (Hu Chuntin), “胡春庭陈述日军在下关南通路集体屠杀难民的结文 (An affidavit by Hu Chuntin stating that refugees were massacred by Japanese troops at Nantong Road, Xiaguan),” December 1, 1945, in ADN, p. 149.

  55. 55.

    姜鑫顺 (Jiang Xinshun), “姜鑫顺陈述日军在下关九甲圩江边集体屠杀的结文 (An affidavit by Jiang Xinshun stating the massacre was committed by Japanese troops at Jiujiawei riverside, Xiaguan),” December 1, 1945, in ADN, p. 143.

  56. 56.

    “南京市临时参议会关于南京大屠杀调查的报告 (An investigation report by Nanjing Temporary Senate concerning the Nanjing Massacre),” 1946, in ADN, p. 581.

  57. 57.

    “张秀英证言 (Testimony by Zhang Xiuying),” 陈平稳据口述整理 (Recorded and edited by Chen Pingwen according to the oral account), in CTS, p. 351.

  58. 58.

    John G. Magee, Case 1, Film 10, Folder 7, Box 263, RG8, YDSL.

  59. 59.

    Katsuichi Honda, The Nanjing Massacre, pp. 174–177.

  60. 60.

    段月萍 (Duan Yueping), “侵华日军南京大屠杀遗址纪念碑 (The monuments at the sites of the Nanjing Massacre committed by the Japanese troops invading China),” 抗日战争研究 (Research on the War of Resisting Japan), Vol. 4, 1994, p. 93.

  61. 61.

    Katsuichi Honda, The Nanjing Massacre, pp. 227–229, and “骆中洋证言 (Testimony by Luo Zhongyang),” 段月萍据1987年骆中洋来信整理 (Edited by Duan Yueping according to the letter sent in 1987 by Luo Zhongyang), in CTS, pp. 37–38.

  62. 62.

    Katsuichi Honda, The Nanjing Massacre, p. 229.

  63. 63.

    “徐吉庆证言 (Testimony by Xu Jiqing),” 沈珍昌等调查记录 (Surveyed & recorded by Shen Zhenchang and others), in SMN, pp. 412–413.

  64. 64.

    “龚玉昆证言 (Testimony by Gong Yukun),” 李文奎、刘雯、冯中美调查记录 (Surveyed & recorded by Li Wenkui, Liu Wen and Feng Zhongmei), in SMN, p. 431.

  65. 65.

    Minnie Vautrin, Diaries, February 16, 1938, Minnie Vautrin Papers, DCHSL.

  66. 66.

    “张士荣证言 (Testimony by Zhang Shirong),” in CTS, p. 55.

  67. 67.

    毕正清 (Bi Zhengqing), “毕正清陈述日军在放生寺附近集体屠杀的结文 (An affidavit by Bi Zhengqing stating the massacre committed by Japanese troops near Fangsheng Temple),” November 29, 1945, in ADN, p. 158.

  68. 68.

    孙宅巍 (Sun Zhaiwei), 南京大屠杀 (The Nanjing Massacre), Beijing: 北京出版社 (Beijing Press), 1997, p. 432.

  69. 69.

    “世界红卍字会南京分会救济队掩埋组掩埋尸体具数统计表 (Burial Statistics, Relief Team’s Burial Squad, World Red Swastika Society Nanjing Branch),” p. 458, and “中国红十字会南京分会掩埋队第一队按月统计表 (Monthly Statistics of the First Burial Squad, China Red Cross Society Nanjing Branch),” pp. 465–467, both in ADN.

  70. 70.

    “杨勤州证言 (Testimony by Yang Qinzhou),” 罗自成调查记录 (Surveyed & recorded by Luo Zicheng), in CTS, p. 17.

  71. 71.

    胡炳森 (Hu Bingsen), “胡炳森陈述胡春华在上新河地区被日军枪杀的结文 (An affidavit by Hu Bingsen stating Hu Chunhua was shot dead by Japanese troops in the Shangxin Riverfront area),” December 6, 1945, in ADN, p. 131.

  72. 72.

    “李学洪被日军枪杀的调查表节录 (An excerpt of the investigation report concerning Li Xuehong who was shot dead by Japanese troops),” December 1, 1945, in ADN, p. 132.

  73. 73.

    陈哲文 (Chen Zhewen), “陈哲文为日军在上新河集体屠杀致石美瑜呈文 (A petition by Chen Zhewen to Shi Meiyu concerning a massacre committed by Japanese troops in Shangxin River Town),” February 11, 1946, in ADN, p. 134.

  74. 74.

    “秦杰证言 (Testimony by Qin Jie),” 刘相云根据本人1993年10月来信整理 (Edited by Liu Xiangyun according to a letter sent by him in October 1993), in CTS, p. 296.

  75. 75.

    “何玉峰证言 (Testimony by He Yufeng),” 习守清、吴建野调查记录 (Surveyed & recorded by Xi Shouqing and Wu Jianye), in CTS, p. 17.

  76. 76.

    Minnie Vautrin, Diaries, April 15, 1938, Minnie Vautrin Papers, DCHSL.

  77. 77.

    The list is based on the data and information in “世界红卍字会南京分会救济队掩埋组掩埋尸体具数统计表 (Burial Statistics, Relief Team’s Burying Squad, World Red Swastika Society Nanjing Branch),” in ADN, p. 456–459.

  78. 78.

    “南京市崇善堂掩埋工作一览表 (A chart of burial work by Nanjing Chongshan Tang)” in ADN, p. 447.

  79. 79.

    “刘修荣证言 (Testimony by Liu Xiurong),” 吴传铭、刘兴林、何炼生等调查记录 (Surveyed & recorded by Wu Chuanming, Liu Xinglin, He Liansheng and others), in SMN, p. 421.

  80. 80.

    “邱荣贵证言 (Testimony by Qiu Ronggui),” 滕桂珍、滕桂芝、钟金华、朱春香调查记录 (Surveyed & recorded by Teng Guizhen, Teng Guizhi, Zhong Jinhua and Zhu Chunxiang), in CTS, p. 15.

  81. 81.

    “刘世海证言 (Testimony by Liu Shihai),” 段月萍调查记录 (Surveyed & recorded by Duan Yueping), in SMN, pp. 401–402.

  82. 82.

    Katsuichi Honda, The Nanjing Massacre, pp. 173–174.

  83. 83.

    “张从贵证言 (Testimony by Zhang Conggui),” 肖仲煌、尹长风调查记录 (Surveyed & recorded by Xiao Zhonghuang and Yin Changfeng), in CTS, pp. 10–11.

  84. 84.

    “孙殿炎证言 (Testimony by Sun Dianyan),” in CTS, p. 14.

  85. 85.

    “杨素华证言 (Testimony by Yang Suhua),” 黄志安、王培义调查记录 (Surveyed & recorded by Huang Zhi’an and Wang Peiyi), in CTS, pp. 265–266.

  86. 86.

    “王桂珍证言 (Testimony by Wang Guizhen),” 尚文兰、孙秀兰、夏龙生调查记录 (Surveyed and recorded by Shang Wenlan, Sun Xiulan and Xia Longsheng), in CTS, p. 278.

  87. 87.

    “苗学标证言 (Testimony by Miao Xuebiao),” 马中炎、马管良调查记录 (Surveyed & recorded by Ma Zhongyan and Ma Guanliang), in SMN, pp. 440–441.

  88. 88.

    石少卿 (Shi Shaoqing), “石少卿为要求释放被日军虏去的家人致南京自治委员会呈文 (A petition by Shi Shaoqing to Nanjing Self-Government Committee concerning the release of his family member abducted by Japanese troops),” February 27, 1938, in ADN, p. 93.

  89. 89.

    Katsuichi Honda, The Nanjing Massacre, pp. 214–215, and “伍长德证言 (Testimony by Wu Changde),” 朱文英、汪道明调查记录 (Surveyed & recorded by Zhu Wenying and Wang Daoming), in SMN, pp. 399–400.

  90. 90.

    Katsuichi Honda, The Nanjing Massacre, pp. 215–217.

  91. 91.

    “汤正有证言 (Testimony by Tang Zhengyou),” 廖美庆调查记录 (Surveyed & recorded by Liao Meiqing), in SMN, pp. 400–401.

  92. 92.

    “高秀琴证言 (Testimony by Gao Xiuqin),” 陆家骅调查记录 (Surveyed & recorded by Lu Jiahua), in SMN, pp. 442–443.

  93. 93.

    M. S. Bates, “Note on Aftermath of Registration at the University,” in The War Conduct of the Japanese, ed. by Shuhsi Hsu, Shanghai: Kelly & Walsh, 1938, pp. 142–144.

  94. 94.

    “梁玉山证言 (Testimony by Liang Yushan),” 井升安、丁亚庆调查记录 (Surveyed & recorded by Jing Sheng’an and Ding Yaqing), in CTS, pp. 8–9.

  95. 95.

    Minnie Vautrin, Diaries, January 20, 1938, Minnie Vautrin Papers, DCHSL.

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Lu, S. (2019). Brutality Following the Fall of Nanjing: Large-Scale Massacres. In: The 1937 – 1938 Nanjing Atrocities. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-9656-4_3

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