In a somber turn of events, two survivors of the Nanjing Massacre have passed away, bringing the number of living witnesses to just 28, as reported by the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders.
Yi Lanying, aged 99, endured unimaginable horrors during the massacre. A Japanese officer knocked out her front tooth, and she witnessed the brutal stabbing of a young man by a soldier’s bayonet. Yi also saw Japanese soldiers scour homes, abducting over 70 young men.
These traumatic experiences left Yi with deep-seated fears, causing panic attacks, heart palpitations, and tinnitus. Throughout her life, she hoped that future generations would remember the innocent lives lost during those dark times.
Tao Chengyi, who was 89, lost his father, uncle, and cousin to the invading forces. Reflecting on his past, Tao shared, \"After my father was killed, my mother struggled to make a living by running a small business with us children. The war destroyed my childhood.\"
The Nanjing Massacre began on December 13, 1937, when Japanese troops captured the Chinese capital. Over six weeks, they brutally killed approximately 300,000 Chinese civilians and unarmed soldiers, marking one of World War II’s most horrific episodes.
In remembrance of the victims, China’s top legislature designated December 13 as a national memorial day for the Nanjing Massacre in 2014, ensuring that the world does not forget the atrocities committed.
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Deaths of 2 Nanjing Massacre survivors leave just 28 living witnesses
cgtn.com
