Naking

The city of Nanjing [Naking] China was home to one of the most horrendous atrocities in World War two since the Holocaust. The war crimes carried out by the Japanese army was started to find Chinese soldiers disguised as civilians. What it eventually turned into is still debated by both the Chinese and Japanese people and government and may never be completely accounted for. What we do know is that many deaths occurred during the time frame of December 13, 1937 through early February 1938.

The siege

One day before the invasion, a order was given out to all Japanese troops. Any personal that commit any crimes while they occupied the capital city of Najing and show disrespect to there homeland would be severally punished. Once outside the city the Chinese army was given one day to surrender. With no reply they attacked the city with air raids and artillery fire. After two days of this the Chinese general Tang Sheng-chi ordered a retreat. Many fled but a few killed civilians and took their cloths to blend in. The next day the Japanese army entered Najing with less than a fight.

Six weeks of Atrocities

Over the next six weeks arson, rape, murder and thief were the crimes committed.

Rape- The International Military Tribunal for the Far East reports that 20,000 to 80,000 women were raped during this time. The ages ran from infants, to the elderly, to even pregnant women. [10 to 80 years old]. Any who objected to what happened were murdered on the spot.

Murder- Shortly after the fall of the city, a search began for those soldiers who deserted the Chinese army and tried to blend in with the civilian population. Any who were believed to have been were executed on the spot. So any male from fifteen to forty years of age was murdered.

Theft and Arson- The estimation of buildings lost to arson fires were 1/3 to 2/3 of the entire city was burned down. Mostly new buildings and government houses. Before the were burned, the buildings were stripped of all valuables. It is almost impossible to estimate how much was stolen or burned.

Death Toll- The actual Death Toll is hotly debated. Many Conservatives believe it around several hundred. Others believe it around 600,000. The most reliable in my mind is by Japanese Lieutenant General Tani Hisao who testified at the Najing War Crimes Tribunal. More than 300,000 dead. 190,000 illegally killed and 150,000 were one by one killed.

What was accomplished?

The Nanking Massacre accomplished a major win and gave control of Mainland China to the Japanese. The Chinese army was now fighting a losing battle and would be soon defeated. The moral was crushed and the supplies were dwindling. It also got the Japanese comfortable enough to attack harbor a few years later getting America involved in World War two.