John Rabe, a name synonymous with courage and humanitarianism amidst the horrors of war, was a German businessman who became an unlikely savior for hundreds of thousands during the Nanking Massacre. Born John Heinrich Detlev Rabe on November 23, 1882, in Hamburg, Germany, his life took a dramatic turn when he found himself in Nanking, China, as the city fell to the Imperial Japanese Army in 1937. Rabe’s actions during this period cemented his legacy as the “Good German of Nanking,” a title reflecting his extraordinary efforts to protect Chinese civilians from the atrocities of the invading forces.
Rabe’s early career was rooted in business. He spent several years in Africa before embarking on a long-term engagement with China in 1908. From 1910 until 1938, he was employed by Siemens AG China Corporation, working across various Chinese cities including Shenyang, Beijing, Tianjin, and Shanghai, before finally settling in Nanking. His professional journey with Siemens placed him in Nanking as the storm clouds of war gathered, leading to events that would redefine his life and legacy.
As the Imperial Japanese Army advanced on Nanking in November 1937, John Rabe, along with other expatriates, recognized the imminent danger facing the city’s civilian population. In a remarkable act of bravery and compassion, Rabe played a pivotal role in establishing the International Committee for the Nanking Safety Zone. This zone was a designated area intended to provide refuge for Chinese civilians, shielding them from the anticipated violence. On November 22, 1937, the Nanking Safety Zone was formally established, largely due to Rabe’s organizational skills and unwavering commitment to humanitarian principles. His motivations were clear and deeply moral. As Rabe himself stated, “…there is a question of morality here. I cannot bring myself for now to betray the trust these people have put in me, and it is touching to see how they believe in me.” This profound sense of responsibility drove him to shelter an estimated 200,000 Chinese refugees within the Safety Zone, offering them food, shelter, and a semblance of security amidst the chaos of the Nanking Massacre.
Despite being a member of the Nazi Party, a fact he even attempted to leverage in appeals to the Japanese military, Rabe’s pleas for humanity largely fell on deaf ears. The brutality of the Nanking Massacre unfolded regardless of his efforts, yet the existence of the Safety Zone, under Rabe’s leadership, undeniably saved countless lives. His diaries, later published as “The Good German of Nanking” or “The Good Man of Nanking,” provide a harrowing first-hand account of the atrocities and his relentless efforts to mitigate the suffering.
In February 1938, John Rabe departed Nanking, returning to Germany with photographic and film evidence of the Japanese atrocities. He attempted to raise awareness of the Nanking Massacre, even writing to Hitler directly, urging him to intervene with the Japanese government. However, his efforts were suppressed. Rabe was detained and interrogated by the Gestapo, forbidden from speaking or writing about his experiences, and his films were confiscated. Only through the intervention of Siemens AG was he released, albeit silenced.
The post-war period presented further challenges for John Rabe. His Nazi Party membership led to denouncement and arrests by both Russian and British authorities, though he was eventually exonerated and officially “de-Nazified” in 1946. Despite his heroic actions in Nanking, Rabe faced poverty in post-war Germany. Ironically, it was the Chinese government who offered him crucial support, sending monthly food and money parcels in recognition of his extraordinary humanitarian service during the Rape of Nanking.
John Rabe’s legacy endures as a testament to the power of individual courage and compassion in the face of unimaginable brutality. His actions in establishing and managing the Nanking Safety Zone stand as a beacon of hope amidst the darkness of the Nanking Massacre. Through his diaries and the accounts of those he saved, John Rabe’s story continues to resonate, reminding the world of the profound impact one person can have in upholding humanity during times of extreme inhumanity.
