250,000 Chinese civilians were sheltered within a neutral zone during the 1937 Nanjing Massacre, a project coordinated by a German businessman named John Rabe. Though primarily known for his corporate career, he utilized his diplomatic position and personal determination to create a safe haven when imperial forces encroached upon the Republic of China's capital city.
Early Business Career
Born in Hamburg in 1882, Rabe established a career in global business early in the twentieth century. Between 1903 and 1906, he lived in Mozambique working for a British firm. By 1908, he relocated to Beijing via the Trans-Siberian Railway. A year later, he married Dora Caroline Schubert. His tenure with Siemens China Corporation began in 1910, spanning roles in Mukden, Tianjin, Shanghai, and eventually Nanjing, where he led the branch starting in 1931.
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As the Imperial Japanese Army advanced on Nanjing in November 1937, Rabe took a central role in forming the International Committee for the Nanking Safety Zone. He served as the committee leader, leveraging his German background to negotiate with the Japanese military. The project established a neutral territory within embassies and Nanjing University, aiming to protect non-combatants during the transition of power. When the city fell in December, the zone housed approximately 500,000 people, including 650 individuals residing on his own properties.
Documenting Conflict
Throughout the occupation, Rabe maintained detailed diaries regarding the conduct of Japanese forces. He recorded the death toll of civilians, providing estimates ranging from 50,000 to 60,000 casualties. Despite his health challenges, specifically diabetes which required regular insulin, he remained in the region until February 1938. He attempted to document the events through film and photography to present these findings upon his return to Berlin.
Post-Conflict Restrictions
After returning to Germany in April 1938, Rabe sought to raise awareness regarding the violence in China. His efforts were suppressed by state authorities, and he faced detention by the Gestapo. Following the intervention of Siemens, he remained in Berlin until the end of the war, working at the company's headquarters and briefly in Afghanistan. His postwar life involved interrogations by Soviet and British forces, followed by a difficult denazification process that exhausted his savings.
Fast facts
- Born: 1882, Hamburg
- Died: 1950, Berlin
- Employer: Siemens
- Notable work: The Good Man of Nanking
- Citizenship: Germany
- Burial site: Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Cemetery
Questions readers ask
What role did John Rabe play in the Nanking Safety Zone?
He served as the leader of the International Committee, organizing a neutral area that provided food and shelter to hundreds of thousands of civilians.
What was his professional background?
He was a long-time entrepreneur and employee of the Siemens China Corporation, managing regional branches for decades.
Achievements
- Notable work: The Good Man of Nanking
- Affiliated with Siemens
- Worked as entrepreneur
