John Rabe
John Rabe
John Rabe was a man who was a local hero during the massacre. He created an international safety zone and eventually was able to save over 250,000 lives. During the massacre he was able to witness the atrocities committed against the Chinese people that scared him for life. John Rabe is an inspiration to me because of what he did his act of kindness is what saved all those people, which is why I chose him for my project. John kept a journal during the massacre, his journal consists of all that he saw during the massacre, and here are some of his quotes in the journal. “The Japanese have returned and now have 1,300 refugees tied up. Along with Smythe and Mills I try to get these people released, but to no avail. They are surrounded by 100 Japanese soldiers and, still tied up, are led off to be shot. It is hard to see people driven off like animals. But they say that Chinese shot 2,00 Japanese prisoners in Tsinanfu, too. We hear by way of the Japanese Navy that the gunboat U.S.S. Pany, on which the officials of the American embassy has sought safety, has been accidentally bombed and sunk by the Japanese. I have to look at so many corpses over the last few weeks that can keep my nerves in check even when viewing these horrible cases. It really doesn’t leave you in the “Christmas” mood; but I wanted to see these atrocities with my own eyes, so I can speak as an eyewitness later.” (John Rabe, diary on Dec. 15)