Wilbur ’s Reviews > The Rape of Nanking: The Forgotten Holocaust of World War II > Status Update

- worst part of Nanking was during first 6-8 weeks but occupation lasted until Aug 14 when USA dropped the second bomb
- Most of the destruction was caused by arson
- Jan 1 1938 Japanese put in place a new govt
- Chinese were taxes heavy and had property confiscated. Opium use became a problem and medical experiments were also kept secret
- Nanking was able to recover pre war food levels in about a year

- the world knew about Nanking while it was happening and Japan printed pictures on newspaper before international criticism
- three notable journalists Frank Tillman, Archibald Steele, C. Yates all left a few days after massacre began
- video was taken of USS Panay attack, US had cracked Japan comms, pics were leaked
- Japan attempted propaganda campaigns of pictures and articles

- the safety zone in Nanking was established after a French priest saw the idea of a neutral zone in Shanghai and the effort was led by foreigners
- the book speaks of 3 people German John Rabe Nazi who helped Chinese and worked at Siemens responsible for power and phones, Robert Wilson at one point the only surgeon left, and Wilhelmina Vautrin head of Ginling college who helped thousands of women

- about half the population of Nanking had left before the Japanese arrived. Those who stayed were most likely too old, young, sick, or poor to leave. There were a few who were excited about the Japanese arriving

- the Japanese were relentless. There were killing contests, torture, rapes, and it was estimated the the death toll was near 300,000+

- Nanking is a city with a a lot of history and has been invaded 3 times. (6th century, 1853 by taping rebels, 1937 by Japan)
- August fighting starts in Shanghai and end of month it falls to Japan
- Nanking falls and leader of nationalists Chiang Kai-shek leaves Tang Sheng-chich in charge of defense in November
- govt officials moved west and by DEC 90,000 troops moved to Nanking for defense

- Nanking was located in a bend on the Yangtze River making it easy for the Japanese to flank and trap it from the south
- Late November the Japanese moved in 3 diff groups to surround the city
- General Matsui was in charge but he fell ill with TB and Prince Asaka assumed command
- Matsui had given orders to take the city civilly
-However Asaka (or his staff officer) gave the command to kill all. This is not clear

- why did the Japanese act this way in Nanking and why did officers and govt allow it?

- author argues that the history of Japan is rooted in bushido and military power.
-1852 US marched on and demanded Japan to open and trade with a show of military power. Japan had no choice but to agree but they planned to learn the western way and get revenge for this humiliation