"13 December 1937: The Nanking Massacre Begins" by Scott Lyons

The Rape of Nanking in 1937 is often described as one of the most appalling events in human history. The mass murder of Chinese civilians in Nanjing, orchestrated by the Imperial Japanese Army, saw an unprecedented level of brutality and inhumanity that shook the world. The atrocities, which included mass rape, looting, and arson, began on 13 December 1937, and lasted for six weeks, leaving a death toll ranging from 40,000 to over 300,000, with rape cases ranging from 20,000 to over 80,000 cases. The historical context that led to the Rape of Nanking was the Second Sino-Japanese War, which began in 1937. Japan had been aggressively expanding its empire by invading and occupying neighboring countries, including China. The battle for Shanghai, which saw both sides suffering heavy losses, had ended with Japan's capture of Shanghai in November 1937, and by early December, Japan's army was on the outskirts of Nanjing. The fall of Nanjing was inevitable, as the Chinese army withdrew the…

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"17 May 1944: Merrill's Marauders Take Myitkyina After a 62-mile March" by Scott Lyons

Merrill's Marauders, an elite U.S. Army long-range penetration special operations jungle warfare unit, etched their name in the annals of World War II history through their daring and audacious actions in the China-Burma-India Theater. Known officially as the 5307th Composite Unit, this exceptional group of soldiers left an indelible mark with their intricate and perilous deep-penetration missions behind enemy lines. They frequently engaged and defeated Japanese forces with superior numbers and resources by relying on their unparalleled skills, exceptional teamwork, and unyielding determination. The formation of Merrill's Marauders came at a critical juncture in the war as U.S. military strategists sought to pool their resources and develop robust methods for combating the Japanese Army. In-charge of this primarily-volunteer unit was Brigadier General Frank D. Merrill, a seasoned military tactician whose reputation as a hard-driving and spirited leader endeared him to his troops.…

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Bridge on the River Kwai: History in Memory

Is there too much romanticization of World War 2 in the movies? Although the Japanese comitted atrocities in Burma during the construction of the Burma Railroad, does our collective memory fade or change over time?

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