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China identifies 900 more WWII aviation martyrs from several nations
NANJING—Chinese historians and
researchers have identified more than 900 aviation martyrs who died in
China during World War II, including 404 American pilots.
“The names of the martyrs were discovered during the information
collection process ahead of the establishment of a memorial hall for the
deceased aviators,” said Wang Jian, vice president of the Nanjing
Aviation Association, which is based in the eastern province of Jiangsu.
“These include 404 Americans and more than 500 Chinese,” Wang said.
“Their identities have been verified by Chinese and American experts.”
On Aug. 1, 1941, the American Volunteer Group, which later cameto be
known as the Flying Tigers, was formed under the leadership of U.S. Gen.
Claire Lee Chennault to help China drive out invading Japanese troops.
In August 1995, to commemorate the heroes, China built the Monument to
the Aviator Martyrs in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression
in Nanjing. The names of more than 3,000 martyrs, including 870 Chinese,
2,186 Americans and 236 soldiers of the former Soviet Union, were
inscribed on the monument in Chinese, English and Russian.
Wang said the newly-discovered names were expected to be added to the
inscription next year. According to government plans, construction on
the memorial hall will start in Nanjing in April, 2008. A Chinese
plaintiff who suffered in the Chongqing bombings between 1938 and 1943
Monday demanded at a Tokyo court that the Japanese government adopt a
right view on the crimes committed by the Japanese invasion army and
make apology and compensation.
“The Japanese government should recognize the crimes committed by the
Japanese invasion army and make apology and compensation to the
victims,” Qian Fangneng said at the Tokyo District Court while making
his fifth court statement. “The Chongqing bombings lawsuit plaintiffs
are mostly 75 to 90 years old,” the 77-year-old Qian said. “As victims
and witnesses, we are responsible to tell the truth to the next
generation.” —Xinhua |
