The Nanking Massacre, or Rape of Nanking took place over a six-week period, starting in December of 1937. At the time, Nanking was the capital of China, and the perpetrating force was the Imperial Japanese Army. The death toll of the massacre is not exact, as military records of the event were destroyed upon Japan’s surrender from the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1945— it is estimated to be somewhere between 200,000 and 300,000. The Japanese defeated Shanghai earlier that year, a clue as to what was to come. Nanking, the capital, was the next logical step. With this in mind, leader of the Chinese Republic Chiang Kai-shek withdrew all elite troops and most army personnel in hopes of preserving some fire power for future battles. With no official army for defense, the city of Nanking gathered a force of about 100,000 untrained soldiers to take their place. As the Japanese troops descended, Nanking soldiers were ordered by Chiang Kai-shek and military General Tang Shengzhi to block off and destroy roads, boats, and any means by which citizen could exit and evacuate the city. They had issued a statement saying that Nanking would stand their ground and fight to the death— they intended to keep it. Ironically, on December 1 the Chinese Government and leader Chiang Kai-shek were relocated. In their absence, German businessman John Rabe currently living in Nanking was left in charge. After days of bombing, Rabe sent two telegrams to Chiang, requesting to send a cease-fire. His request was denied and in this act, the cities fate was secured.
Remaining soldiers gave up hope and resorted to binge drinking and despair. Prior to the massacre, Rabe has set-up a sort of safety zone in the city for civilians. At this point, Chinese soldiers had taken to hiding out in this safe zone. Following failed attempts to remove them, Japanese soldiers began bombing innocent civilians.
Among the murder, looting, and raping of civilians and soldiers alike, one event that stands out in the nanking massacre was a contest held between two Japanese officers in which they raced to see who could slaughter 100 men by sword alone, it was attended and covered almost like a sporting event. It is estimated that 20,000 women, children included, were raped and subsequently killed in the massacre of Nanking.