Date of letter:1997-08-15
Address of author:Ji County, Tianjin City
Date of event:1942-05-21（lunar calendar）
Location of event:Ji County, Tianjin City
Name of author:Zhang Deyin
Name(s) of victim(s):People in Ji County
Type of atrocity:Others, Murders, Other Massacres, Slave Laborers, Sex Slaves, Rapes（RA, OT, MU, OM, SL, SS）
Other details:On May 21, 1942 on the lunar calendar, Japanese invaders burned all houses of 450 households in our village during the war. Those who failed to escape were all killed by them. All the villagers became homeless. In 42 villages, 349 persons were killed by Japanese invaders, including those who were tortured, eaten by hounds and cut off tongues. 59 persons were injured and captured to work as Slave Laborers; 5 persons worked as comfort women; 6 people’s houses were burned, and numerous women were raped. More than 50 years have passed, the crimes of Japanese invaders during their invasion period are still deeply engraved in memory. I want to denounce towering crimes committed by Japan in those years, and the Japanese government must give apology and compensation.
Respectable Tong Zeng,
At the beginning of the Year of Tiger, I’d like to sincerely wish you a happy new year, a happy family and good luck with everything on behalf of all people from Dadaodi and wish you success with the cause of pursuing justice against the then invading Japanese army.
I am sending complaints materials of several villages, summary forms, evidence and the lyrics of the song Eliminating National Humiliation. The materials sent in previous letters can be copied and sent if required.
Besides, the Claims Representative Group of my village is planning to launch an activity to commemorate the 56th anniversary of the Dadaodi Massacre, is it all right? Please provide us with instructions (measures are attached). It’ll be better if CCTV comes for an interview. Maybe this is too much to ask? But I think it is conducive to pushing forward the compensation campaign, so I made a bold request. I’ll stop here.
Wish you a happy family and good luck with everything in the Year of Tiger.
Zhang Deyin
Dadaodi, Guanchang, Ji, Tianjin
Tel: 02229757497
Postal code: 301911
An Open Letter to the Japanese Government and People
Respectable Japanese Government and people,
We’ve seen friendly mutual visits between leaders from our two countries at the 52nd anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the Chinese people’s victory of the anti-Japanese War as well as the 25th anniversary of the normalization of the Sino-Japanese diplomatic relations. Our two countries have reached a consensus on many major international issues and enhanced their friendship. The relationship between our two countries is developing in the direction of long-term friendship in accordance with the principles of “elimination of the threat of war, mutual respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit and peaceful coexistence”. This is the common voice of the two governments and peoples and even the peace-loving people across the world. This also marks a good beginning for promoting international relations, scientific progress, cultural and economic exchange and development in the 21st century.
Also, I’d like to take the opportunity to kindly ask the Japanese Prime Minister Ryutaro HASHIMOTO to discuss with the Chinese government about addressing the historical issue between the two countries and eliminating the barriers between them. This is a tough challenge for your government and yourself. The decision is up to you. But, you cannot delay this matter to the next century, can you?
Looking back to the past, the most unforgettable day in my life is lunar May 21, 1942 when the crimes of the invading Japanese army became rampant. On this day, 450 houses of my village were all burned and those who didn’t escape were all killed by the Japanese army. All villagers became homeless and began to live a pathetic, vagrant life. The suffering was beyond description.
During the 14 years when the Japanese army occupied China, excluding martyrs who died for the country, 349 people from 42 villages in Ji, Zun and Xing counties were killed by the Japanese army according to incomplete statistics. Among them, some were brutally tortured and eaten by dogs and some had their tongues cut off and died of pain. Moreover, 59 people were beaten and became disabled, 5 people were captured as slave labors and 6 people were forced to be comfort women for the Japanese army. Additionally, countless houses were burned and women were raped. The massacres caused due to the implementation of the Three Alls policy(the policy of burn all, kill all and loot all) are too many to describe.
Although over 50 years have passed, has the crimes of the invading Japanese army and the suffering of the Chinese people been fully understood? How could the great Chinese people, compatriots and the family members of the victims easily let it go? It has become an urgent, obligatory matter that today’s all Chinese people charge the invading Japanese army of its crimes to eliminate our humiliation. This is the key for the Japanese government to rapidly apologize and compensate us and promote a close friendship between Japan and China.
Victims and their family members from 42 villages in Ji, Zun and Xing counties, People’s Republic of China
Author: Retired Teacher Zhang Deyin (Fingerprint)
Dadaodi, Guanchang, Ji, Tianjin
August 15, 1997
The cruel, fierce invading Japanese army killed our people and burned our houses;
the unforgettable debt of blood and tears should be repaid to maintain Sino-Japanese diplomatic relations.
Irrefutable Evidence of History
At the 50th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the Chinese people’s victory of the anti-Japanese War, I am charging the invading Japanese army with killing the people and burning the houses of my village as a survivor of the Dadaodi Massacre, a historical witness as well as a citizen of the People’s Republic of China.
My village is located in the east of Ji, Tianjin (originally subject to the jurisdiction of Zunhua). On the morning of lunar May 21, 1942, a convertible automobile carrying 32 Japanese soldiers led by Captain Takeo MATSUURA met with the 3rd battalion, 13th regiment of the Eighth Route Army when driving across Dongdashi Bridge in Dadaodi Village, and the two sides fought a fierce battle. One hour later, all the Japanese soldiers were killed.
The Japanese army stationed in nearby villages such as Ping’ancheng, Shimen and Yan’gezhuang raged at the news and quickly gathered together. They surrounded my village before the noon of that day and implemented the cruel Three Alls policy(the policy of burn all, kill all and loot all). By the time they came, most of the villagers had fled for shelter and the Chinese guerrillas had left. Who cared about houses and property at that critical moment?
After entering the village, the Japanese soldiers barged in the houses, took away good stuff, killed anyone they saw and then set the houses to fire. On this day alone, 80% of the 450 houses in the village were burned， along with all grain, property and firewood in them. With thick smoke and flames up in the sky, the big fire burned for three days. The fire couldn’t be put out as the Japanese army raided the village for several consecutive days. Anyone who saw the sight sighed and cried. Meanwhile, several old men of over 60 including Wang Gui, Huo Rui and Wang Zhiqing who didn’t flee from the village were arrested and killed by the Japanese at the same time and place. The blind man Liang Xiuyun was bayoneted to death by a Japanese soldier after he just ran out of his house and was thrown into a deep water pit in front of his house. The old man Wang Ping who had been bedridden for years due to paralysis was burned alive with his house. Villager Zheng Baode who was responsible for delivering daily message to the Japanese army stationed in Shimen was arrested before he left Shimen and shot dead on the spot.
Respectable leaders, comrades and gentlemen,
Happy New Year!
I am a retired teacher and ordinary Communist Party member. I am not good at singing and barely know anything about poetry. But I grew up in Japan’s war of aggression against China and experienced the great tragedy that the Japanese army caused to China and the Chinese people by implementing the Three Alls policy(the policy of burn all, kill all and loot all). Although over 50 years have passed, those memories are still fresh to me. In recent years, the spirits of the young jurist Tong Zeng who launched the compensation campaign has inspired me to constantly improve myself and serve the people. After interviewing and writing letters of claims for some victims from 50 villagers in Ji, Zun and Xing counties, I’ve become so emotional that I cannot sleep and write the song Eliminating National Humiliation.
We must eliminate our national humiliation.
We must charge the invading Japanese army to eliminate hatred.
Pursuing justice for the ancestors;
bringing benefit to the future generations.
Fostering the spirits of our nation;
enhancing the soul of our people.
Letter of claims keep coming in;
the criminal responsibility shall be investigated.
Defending peace,
A common goal for the humans.
We must eliminate our national humiliation.
We must charge the invading Japanese army to eliminate hatred.
Never give up until victory!
Due to my limited education and writing skills, some inadequacies are inevitable and corrections are welcome. Whether the song can be published in newspaper or on radio is up to leaders.
Best regards,
Zhang Deyin
Dadaodi, Guanchang, Ji, Tianjin
January 1, 1998
In praise of Tong Zeng
A patriotic campaign initiator,
a righteous powerful man.
Fighting with word and pen,
determined to eliminate national humiliation
Eliminating humiliation 1
Dedicated to the compensation campaign,
determined to eliminate national humiliation.
Fighting with word and pen,
until victory is won.
Revitalizing our great nation.
2
Dedicated to the compensation campaign,
Despite all pressure and difficulties.
Determined to eliminate national humiliation,
strong will to defend peace.
Written after writing letters of claim for victims from 50 villages in Ji, Zun and Xing counties
December 25, 1997
Dadaodi, Guanchang, Ji, Tianjin
Retired teacher Zhang Deyin
January 15, 1998
An activity commemorating the 56th anniversary of Dadaodi Massacre
1. Hold a meeting
2. Sing the song Eliminating National Humiliation
3. The Village Director makes opening remarks
4. ①The representative of the compensation campaign announces the “letter of claim against Japan” and “irrefutable evidence of history”. Representatives of family members of victims Wang Yong, Liang Gui and Wang Xian make a speech. ② Participants mourn the victims in silence.
5. Leaders at all levels deliver a speech.
6. The representative of the compensation campaign gives a brief introduction to the national situation of the compensation campaign.
7. Sing the national anthem.
8. Shout the slogans:
①Long live the Communist Party of China! Long live world peace!
②The Communist Party won’t be forgotten for our freedom. Chairman Mao won’t be forgotten for our happiness!
③We express condolences to patriots killed by the Japanese army and martyrs who died for the country!
④We send regards to the family members of the martyrs who died for the country.
⑤We must revitalize our great nation!
⑥The cruel, fierce invading Japanese army killed our people and burned our houses. The unforgettable debt of blood and tears should be repaid to maintain Sino-Japanese diplomatic relations.
⑦We firmly defend the dignity of international laws to severely punish the heinous crimes of Japanese militarism.
⑧The current Japanese government apologizing and compensating Chinese victims reflects its sincerity towards the Chinese government.
⑨Past experience, if not forgotten, is a guide for the future!
Action measures for the activity
1. Submit the plan to the Publicity Department, Public Security Bureau and Education Department of the county for approval and invite TV stations for an interview.
2. Determine the time, place and participants.
①Time
②Place: Inside and outside the Center Village Office, Dadaodi Village
③Participants: All villagers, students and teachers
④Invite leaders at all levels for presence and guidance
3. Hosts of the meeting
11 compensation representatives of the village
Leaders of the village: Party secretary and director of the village
Head of the school
