Date of letter:1996-03-25
Address of author:Tianjin City
Date of event:1940-1942
Location of event:Ji County, Tianjin Province
Name of author:Zhang Deyin
Name(s) of victim(s):Dong Baoshe, Zhang Dede, etc.
Type of atrocity:Murders, Slave Laborers（MU, SL）
Other details:”1. On February 16, 1940, three villagers – Dong Baoshe, Dong Baoshan, Wang Dazhi were arrested. Wang Dazhi was redeemed later and the other two were killed.
2. In March 1942, Zhang Fude, Sun Zhaoyu, Zhang Yin were caught when running away from the war calamity and luckily fled home after March.
3. In July 1942 during the Japanese great sweep, Sun Zhaoyu was shot.
4. On March 19, 1942, nine people (Zhang Fujiu, Wang Junjin, Zhang Kuotian, Wang Huaqi, Wang Ze’en, Zhang Zhongyou, Wang Huaxuan, Zhang Zhongshun and Ren Guoru) were arrested during the Japanese raids. Three days later, Zhang Kuotian, Zhang Zhongshun and Wang Junjin were redeemed and the rest were stabbed to death.
5. In the fall of 1942, Zheng Youcun and other 7 people were arrested and killed.”
Hello Mr. Tong Zeng:
Please find the enclosed Jixian victimized laborer material (one copy for your record keeping, another is for delivery to the Political Department of the Japanese Embassy in China)
In case of any new development or change, please notify me immediately by mail, or give a call to the home of my second son, as you have recorded the number.
Regards
Yours faithfully
Wish you all the best
Zhang Yingju
At home on April 5
Claim Statement
Claim applicant Sun Yue, male, 56, son of farmer victim Sun Zhaoyu of Chengu Village, Chutouling Town, Jixian County, Tianjin
Claim applicant Dong Baohe, male, 65, younger brother of farmer victim Dong Baoyu of Chengu Village, Chutouling Town, Jixian County, Tianjin
Claim applicant Wang Huawu, male, 70, younger brother of farmer victim Wang Huaqi of Chengu Village, of Chutouling Town, Jixian County, Tianjin
Claim applicant Zhang Zhongshun, male, 70, younger brother of farmer victim Zhang Zhongyou of Chengu Village, Chutouling Town, Jixian County, Tianjin
Claim applicant Zhang Fuxing, male, 72, younger brother of farmer victim Zhang Fujiu of Chengu Village, Chutouling Town, Jixian County, Tianjin
Claim applicant Dong Cuiling, 43, niece of farmer victim Dong Baoshan of Chengu Village, Chutouling Town, Jixian County, Tianjin
Claim applicant Zhang Fude, 85, farmer of Chengu Village, Chutouling Town, Jixian County, Tianjin, conscripted as laborer by the Japanese Invasion Army
Claim applicant Wang Yushu, 57, grandson of farmer victim 2ang Ze’en of Chengu Village, Chutouling Town, Jixian County, Tianjin
Claim applicant Wang Yujie, 66, nephew of victim farmer Wang Huaxuan of Chengu Village, Chutouling Town, Jixian County, Tianjin
Claimee: Japanese Government
Claim demand: The Japanese Invasion Army killed 8 people in our village, I myself and my family members alone suffered significant losses in terms of life, asset, production, and living condition. For this purpose, we demand the defeat country Japan to pay damage compensation USD 400,450.
Claim details: In early morning of March 16, 1940, Japanese Army from Ping’an Town headed by Namiki surrounded Chengu Village. Villagers Dong Baoyu, Dong Baoshan, Wang Dazhi were captured and transported to Ping’an Town. Three days later Wang Dazhi was bailed by Town Chief Yu Pengjiu of Ping’an Town (now deceased), Dong Baoyu and Dong Baoshan were killed by the Japanese Army after their families failed to offer ransom. Both of them were 24 when killed.
On March 6, 1942 (lunar calendar), When Zhang Fude and Sun Zhaoyu and villager Zhang Yinqing of Zuoyang Village were on their way to leave town, they were unfortunately captured by the Shengxian County Japanese Army Expedition Squad and sent to Fushun to work as slave laborers in coal mine. After working for more than three months, they escaped and returned home.
On July 7, 1942 (lunar calendar), the Japanese Army of Ping’an Town again came to “clean” up the countryside. Hearing about the news the villagers all fled. The Japanese Army opened firewith machine guns. Sun Zhaoyu ran to the west side of the village and was unfortunately shot dead. He was only 30, leaving behind less than two year old orphan Sun Yue and her mother to live for the rest of their lives in misery.
On March 19, 1942, the Japanese army stationed at Dongxin Village Outpost launched a “mopping-up” campaign to Chengu Village. Villagers Zhang Fujiu, Wang Junjin, Zhang Kuotian, Wang Huaqi, Wang Enze, Zhang Zhongyou, Wang Huaxuan, Zhang Zhongshunand Ren Guoru, totaling 9 persons, were unfortunately captured and brought to the Japanese outpost in Dingxin Village. Three days later, three people, Zhang Kuotian, Zhang Zhongshun, Wang Junjin were bailed. The remaining 6 persons, were transferred to Dakengyan at the western side of Dongxin Village two days later, and were stabbed to death by the Japanese soldiers with bayonet. According to international laws, the aggressor country must apologize and compensate civilian victims all losses resulting from atrocities committed by its troops or individuals in violation of war convention and humanitarian principles. The death of 8 innocent villagers must be compensated with USD 400,000, 3 forced laborers must be compensated with USD 450, totaling USD 400,450. In order to ensure healthy Sino-Japan relation, it is hoped the Japanese Government will give consideration to the woe of the victims, and quickly offer compensation with consideration for future diplomatic relation!
Respectfully,
Japanese Government c/a Japanese Embassy in China.
Claimer: Sun Yue Dong Baohe, Wang Huawu, Zhang Zhongshun, Zhang Fuxing, Dong Cuiling, Zhang Fude, Wang Yushu, Wang Yuqing
Written by: Zhang Deyin
March 20, 1996
To Whom It May Concern
Testifier: Zhang Fude, male, 85, farmer of Chengu Village, Chutou Town, Jixian County, Tianjin
Testifier: Zhang Zhongshun, male, 74, farmer of Chengu Village, Chutou Town, Jixian County, Tianjin
Wang Huawu, male, 70, farmer of Chengu Village, Chutou Town, Jixian County, Tianjin
Person being identified: Sun Zhaoyu, male, only 30 year old when killed by the Japanese Invasion Army
Subject of certification: In early morning of March 6, 1942, Shengxian County Japanese Army Expedition Squad came to Chengu Village, Zhang Fude, Sun Zhaoyu and Zhang Yinqing of Zuoyang Village unfortunately were captured by the Japanese Army at the same time, and sent to Fushun coal mine to work as forced laborer. After working for more than three months, the three persons escaped and returned home.
On July 7, 1942 (lunar calendar), the Japanese Army of Ping’an Town again came to the village to “clean up” the countryside. The villagers all fled. The Japanese Army opened fire with machine gun. Sun Zhaoyu ran a little over one li to the west side of the village and was unfortunately shot dead. This matter was known to all witnesses.
This statement is hereby issued.
Testifier: Zhang Fude, Zhang Zhongshun, Wang Huawu
March 20, 1996
To Whom It May Concern
Testifier: Zheng Youru, male, 82, farmer of Beizhu Village, Guanzhuang Town, Jixian County, Tianjin
Person being identified: Zheng Youcun, male, farmer of Beizhu Village, Guanzhuang Town, Jixian County, Tianjin
Subject for certification: Killing of innocent Zheng Youcun by the Japanese Army
Zheng Youcun of our village worked at the pastry shop in Chuanfanggu, Jixian County one day in the autumn of 1942, the Japanese Army Expedition Squad stationed at Malangu suddenly surrounded the area. Zheng Youcun was arrested and brought to Malangu. Several days later, he and 8 other arrested villagers were brought to Malangu Xishahe by the Japanese Army led by Yamaguchi. They were killed with guillotine together. Zheng Youxun (the elder brother of Zheng Youxiang) was only 35 when he died. He left behind his elderly parents, his wife, and two children, who lived together with me in misery. Later his wife was forced to leave and re-marry due to lack of source of income. His children including Zheng Qi and Ertou were still young. For several years the family including both the seniors and the young lived in poverty and misery. When reminiscing the past, the Japanese Invasion Army’s “Kill All, Burn all, and Loot All” policy brought severe calamities to the Chinese people. How can we forget this history of Japanese invasion which was soaked in tears and blood?
Testifier: Farmer of Beizhu Village, Guanzhuang Town, Jixian County, Tianjin
Zheng Youru
March 25, 1996
The above facts are true and correct
The above facts are true and correct
Claim Statement
Claimer Zheng Youxiang, male, 76, farmer of Beizhu Village, Guanzhuang Town, Jixian County, Tianjin, younger brother of victim Zheng Youcun
Claimee: Japanese Government
Claim demand: The Japanese Invasion Army killed my brother during mopping-up campaign and caused destruction of the whole family and serious calamity in our lives, for which we demand the Japanese government to follow international practice and offer damage compensation USD 400,450 to make up for its previous crime.
Claim details:
My eldest brother Zheng Youcun was making pastry at Zheng’s Pastry Shop in Chuanfanggu, Jixian County. One day in the autumn of 1942, the Japanese Army Expedition Squad stationed at Malangu suddenly surrounded the area. Zheng Youcun was arrested and brought to Malangu. Three days later, 8 arrested villagers were brought to Malangu Xishahe by the Japanese Army led by Yamaguchi. They were killed with guillotine together. My elder brother was only 35 when he died. He left behind his elderly parents, his wife, and two children, who lived with me in misery. Life became more difficult. My sister-in-law who was surnamed Liang was forced to leave and re-marry, leaving behind my nephew Zheng Qi, and niece Ertou who lived together under the same roof in a three generation family. Looking back at those past years, the atrocities brought by the Japanese Invasion Army to China and the Chinese people were really outrageous. In the first place, blood debts must be repaid in kind, but considering the diplomatic relation between Japan and China, both sides should respect facts, admit facts and treat each other with sincerity. In accordance with established practice of international laws, Japan should apologize for its war crimes and offer compensations so that foes can become friends, and friendship with China can be restored.
Respectfully for delivery to
Japanese Government
Claimer: Farmer of Beizhu Village, Guanzhuang Town, Jixian County, Tianjin
Zheng Youxiang
March 25, 1996
The above facts are true and correct
