Analyzing the “Photographic Evidence” of the Nanking Massacre

commander who was hiding in the safety zone, said that the Japanese soldiers “lackedcourage to engage in any activities either inside or outside the refugee zone at night . . . .[Chinese] people ransacked large corporations, stores, and residence at their own will.”Guo added that the Japanese soldiers unknowingly bought the stolen goods, which weredisplayed at markets organized by looters.Yet another source is worth noting here. It is a hand-written letter which oneEuropean woman addressed to the ICNSZ on December 11, and is among theEnglish-language materials accompanying Rabe’s original diary as preserved at YaleUniversity—the materials which the published version of his diary does not include.That woman wrote about some 100 armed soldiers of the Nanking garrison force, whohad stayed in the Wutaishan village within the safety zone for two weeks. She asked forthe ICNSZ’s protection because on the morning of that day these Chinese soldiers startedthreatening to destroy properties owned by foreigners and to murder them.To conclude this chapter, one photograph owned by then Second LieutenantAkaboshi Takashi, who participated in the Nanking campaign right after his graduationfrom Waseda University, is worth printing here. According to Akaboshi’s wife, whoallowed us to use it in this publication, it was one of his favorite photos. The scenecaptured in this photo is quite inconsistent with Timperly’s contention that Nanking wassubjected to repeated cases of murder as well as planned robbery and rape of a large scalestarting on the second day of the occupation.Starting with the next chapter, readers are encouraged to read the results of ourinvestigation of so-called Nanking massacre “evidential photos” with the reality of theNanking campaign as described in this chapter in mind.Second Lieutenant Akaboshi Takashi photographed in the suburb of Nankingimmediately following the fall of the city. (Courtesy of Mrs. Akaboshi).54