Date of letter:1993-11-08
Address of author:Wuxue City, Hubei Province
Date of event:1938-03-17
Location of event:Wuxue City, Hubei Province
Name of author:Hu Donge
Name(s) of victim(s):Zhu Damei (Hu Dong’e’s mother)
Type of atrocity:Rapes, Murders(RA, MU)
Other details:The Japanese looked everywhere for women when passing by our village and my mother wasn’t able to escape. Resisting the rapists, my mother’s hands and head were cut off. Note: The envelope is missing.
Chinese Individual’s Letter of Claim for Damage Compensation from Japan
To the Japanese government,
On July 7, 1937, the imperial Japanese government launched a full-scale war of aggression against China, bringing a terrible disaster to the peace-loving Chinese people. The evil invading Japanese army took away my mother’s life, tearing my family apart and causing great losses to us. I strongly demand a compensation of RMB 200,000 from the Japanese government.
The details are provided below.
My mother is Zhu Damei. On March 17, 1938, a Japanese soldier tried to find and rape women when passing my hometown Hujiayuan Village. At that time, as most of the young women had fled away, the Japanese soldier caught my mother and tried to rape her. My mother resisted, so he hit her down with the rifle butt, then cut off her hands with the bayonet and beheaded her.
On August 15, 1945, Japan surrendered as a defeated country. According to international documents such as Yalta Agreement, Cairo Declaration and Potsdam Declaration, “The defeated country launching a war of aggression must undertake all civil losses resulting from the war.” Therefore, I strongly demand serious consideration and compensation from the Japanese government.
The Chinese people are determined to demand compensation from the Japanese government and will not give up until our goal is obtained.
Claimant: Hu Dong’e, daughter of Chinese victim Zhu Damei
November 8, 1993
Address: Group 10, Xinfan Village, Kanjiang Office, Wuxue City