Devil's War Chariot: Investigating the Victims of Japanese Biological Warfare in Inner Mongolia

Author: Ran Weijun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: The bacteriological warfare waged by the Japanese invaders against Chinese civilians and soldiers was nearly widespread, with a variety of bacteriological weapons used. This book investigates the survivors and victims of the plague disaster caused by the Japanese invaders in Inner Mongolia. The author strives to interview witnesses and relatives of the victims, citing relevant historical records, to verify the fact that before their surrender in 1945, the Japanese 731 Unit had released the plague in Wuyemiao, Inner Mongolia, leading to a massive death toll that year, including over 3,000 civilians and soldiers, nearly 200 Soviet (Red Army soldiers), and a small number of Japanese soldiers who were unable to retreat. This act also caused a major plague outbreak for the following three years, resulting in the death of one-tenth of the city's population. The book brings this little-known and horrifying crime to light.
When the Japanese invaders carried out bacteriological warfare, they often took strict measures to prevent any secrets about the production and implementation of bacteriological weapons from leaking. When they deemed it necessary, they would destroy the facilities, materials, and documents of their bacteriological units, even attempting to deny the existence of units like 731 and 100. This made it difficult to obtain evidence from the perpetrators, the Japanese side, and the passage of time has further compounded the challenge. Even in the affected regions and among the descendants of the victims, little is known about this fact. As the author states, the truth of the bacteriological warfare "is deeply rooted in the memories of individual lives but has largely been forgotten by society as a whole." For this very reason, such investigation and evidence collection are particularly necessary.