China has recently released a list of 236 Soviet Union aviation martyrs who sacrificed their lives during the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. Announced on Friday by the Nanjing Anti-Japanese Aviation Martyrs Memorial Hall in Jiangsu Province, this disclosure sheds light on the brave individuals who stood alongside China during one of its most turbulent periods.
Published on the official website of the Dr. Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum Administration Bureau, the list details the names, military positions, and dates of birth and death of these World War II heroes. This significant gesture honors the deep bond forged between China and the Soviet Union amid the shared struggle against Japanese forces.
In 1937, following Japan’s full-scale invasion of China, the Soviet Union emerged as a critical ally on the air battlefields. Soviet pilots joined forces with their Chinese counterparts, facing formidable odds and contributing significantly to the resistance efforts. Over 200 Soviet fighters made the ultimate sacrifice on Chinese soil, a testament to international solidarity in the face of aggression.
The monument at the Nanjing Anti-Japanese Aviation Martyrs Memorial Hall currently bears the names of these 236 heroes, a list initially compiled and confirmed in 1995. However, due to limited historical records, detailed information about many of these martyrs remains scarce.
“With ongoing research, we have found some inaccuracies,” said Dou Ruoqi, a staff member at the memorial hall. “By releasing the list, we hope to gather global support to refine data on Soviet Union martyrs, correct mistakes, find their family members, and identify any overlooked individuals.”
This initiative follows similar efforts earlier in the year. In April, the memorial hall published information on 1,468 Chinese aviation martyrs, and in September, it released a list of 2,590 American aviation martyrs, even adding the name of an American pilot who died in China to the monument.
“This year, the memorial hall has released the names of international and Chinese aviation heroes during the war on three separate occasions, highlighting the universal values of peace and justice and drawing global attention,” Dou added. The endeavors have led to the collection of new information on dozens of aviation martyrs, enriching historical understanding and commemorating their sacrifices.
The Nanjing Anti-Japanese Aviation Martyrs Memorial Hall, the first of its kind in China dedicated to international aviation martyrs from the war, houses a rich collection of historical materials. These documents chronicle the joint efforts of air forces from China, the Soviet Union, the United States, and other countries during World War II to resist the Japanese invasion. Nearly 4,300 heroes are honored on the monument, their names etched in stone as a lasting tribute to their courage and international cooperation.
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China unveils list of 236 Soviet Union aviation martyrs during WWII
cgtn.com
