In a heartfelt tribute to international solidarity, China unveiled a list of 236 Soviet Union aviation martyrs who sacrificed their lives during the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression in World War II. The announcement was made on Friday by the Nanjing Anti-Japanese Aviation Martyrs Memorial Hall located in east China's Jiangsu Province.
The official release, published on the Dr. Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum Administration Bureau's website, details the names, military positions, and birth and death dates of these brave aviators. These Soviet fighters played a crucial role alongside Chinese forces in the skies over China following Japan's full-scale invasion in 1937.
Throughout the war, the Soviet Union was a pivotal ally for China, providing essential support on the air battlefields. The collaboration forged a strong bond of mutual respect and friendship between the two nations, with over 200 Soviet pilots losing their lives on Chinese soil.
Currently, the monument at the Nanjing Anti-Japanese Aviation Martyrs Memorial Hall bears the engraved names of these 236 heroes. Although the list was initially compiled and confirmed in 1995, detailed information about many of these martyrs has been limited due to scarce historical records.
Dou Ruoqi, a staff member at the memorial hall, emphasized the importance of this release: \"With ongoing research, we have found some inaccuracies. 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.\"
Earlier this year, the memorial hall shared information on 1,468 Chinese aviation martyrs, refining details for 18 individuals. In September, they honored 2,590 American aviation martyrs, including an American pilot who perished in China, thereby expanding the monument to honor international heroes.
Dou added, \"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.\" This initiative has already led to the discovery of new information about dozens of aviation martyrs.
The Nanjing Anti-Japanese Aviation Martyrs Memorial Hall stands as China's first dedicated memorial for international aviation martyrs of World War II. It houses a comprehensive collection of historical materials that document the collaborative efforts of air forces from China, the Soviet Union, the United States, and other nations in resisting the Japanese invasion. To date, nearly 4,300 heroes are commemorated on the monument, symbolizing the enduring legacy of international cooperation and sacrifice.
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China unveils list of 236 Soviet Union aviation martyrs during WWII
cgtn.com
