Rape of Nanking

Chinese prisoner about to be executed.
(Public Domain)
After invading China in July, 1937, Japanese forces turned on the city of Nanking. Starting in December of 1937, the Japanese military descended into the city of Naking resulting in mass atrocities on the civilian population.  Tens of the thousands of women were raped.  Civilians were massacred in cold blood. Two soldiers, for example, held a contest as to how many people each could decapitate with their swords. At least 20,000 women were raped, including the elderly and infants.  Pregnant women were particularly targeted. Prisoners were buried alive.  Mass shootings and beheadings were common. The death toll may have been as high as 300,000.

After the war, several participants in the incident were found guilty of war crimes and executed. The Rape of Nanking still is controversial and has strained relationships between Japan and China that continues in present day.


Display of heads following the Japanese invasion of Nanking.
(Public Domain)











Victims of the Nanking Massacre.
(Public Domain)
Children murdered in Nanking.
(Public Domain)


Bodies of Chinese civilians in Nanking.
(Public Domain)