China has unveiled a list of 236 Soviet Union aviation martyrs who bravely fought alongside Chinese forces during the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1937-1945), the Nanjing Anti-Japanese Aviation Martyrs Memorial Hall announced Friday. Their names, ranks, and birth/death dates are now publicly available online—a tribute to their shared fight for peace ✨.
💡 Why It Matters: After Japan's 1937 invasion, the Soviet Union became a key ally, sending pilots and aircraft to support China. Over 200 Soviet fighters lost their lives on Chinese soil, forging an “unbreakable bond” through bloodshed and solidarity, according to memorial hall staffer Dou Ruoqi.
🔍 Seeking Global Help: Though the list was finalized in 1995, many details remain incomplete. “We’re crowdsourcing info to correct errors, locate families, and identify overlooked heroes,” Dou said. Earlier this year, similar efforts led to updates for 18 Chinese and 1 American martyr.
🌐 Legacy of Unity: The Nanjing memorial—the first in China honoring international WWII aviators—now bears nearly 4,300 names. This year’s triple release of Chinese, U.S., and Soviet martyr lists underscores what Dou calls a “global commitment to peace and justice.”
📚 Did You Know? The memorial houses rare archives of joint missions by Chinese, Soviet, and U.S. air forces. Their collaboration helped turn the tide against Japan—a story that still resonates today 🕊️.
