John Rabe and The International Committee for the Nanking Safety Zone
There were hundreds and hundreds of civilians dying everyday in every possible techniques of torment thought. Corpses were everywhere on the streets to the point where the Westerners had to travel through the city driving over them. If the bodies were connected together, there would be 200 miles of dead bodies, 1200 tons of blood, and if their bodies were stacked, it'll make a 74-story building. Once Japan stood foot onto Nanjing, immediately, John Rabe knew he had to do something to help the citizens. He didn't have the audacity to leave them dying, since the Chinese relied on him significantly. Rabe helped establish a safety zone for Nanjing on December 1, 1937, along with other Westerners such as: Miner S Bates, Ernest Forster, John Magee, Robert Wilson and James McCallum. Nanking was notified of The Nanking Safety Zone and sent security, cash and food. By December 14, 1937, John Rabe created and led a committee called The International Committee for the Nanking Safety Zone with the members still remaining in the Safety Zone.
"I have had to look at so many corpses over the last few weeks that I can keep my nerves in check even when viewing these horrble cases. It really doesn't leave you in a "Christmas" mood; but I wanted to see these atrocities with my own eyes, so that I can speak as an eyewitness later. A man cannot be silent about this kind of cruelty!'" - John Rabe December 24, 1937, written in his diary.
John Rabe was a member of the Nazi party. He came into Nanking on a business but he also had another duty: to keep the Chinese under security. As mention earlier, he helped established The Safety Zone and the International Committee. Using his power as a Nazi member, he was able to help contain the attacks of the Japanese army, concluding to saving lives of many. He had those coming in, begging him for cash and food. To the Chinese, he was a hero, or even a god, because if it weren't for him, The Rape of Nanking could have ended even more tragically.
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