NANJING, June 14 (Xinhua) -- China's Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders has acquired the complete personnel roster of Unit 1644, a Japanese germ-warfare unit during World War II (WWII), according to the hall in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, on Saturday.
The full roster comprises two volumes, each offering detailed personal information on members of Unit 1644, including their names and other relevant details.
"During the War of Aggression against China by Japanese Invaders, the Japanese Unit 1644 established a germ factory in Nanjing, conducted biological experiments, deployed biological weapons on battlefields, and massacred Chinese soldiers and civilians, crimes against humanity that shock the conscience," said Zhou Feng, curator of the memorial hall.
"The roster reaffirms the ironclad evidence of Japanese militarism's biological warfare crimes," Zhou added. "We will deepen archival research and integrate these materials into exhibitions and historical education to speak with facts, uphold a correct perspective on WWII history, and defend justice and peace."
Lyu Jing, associate professor of history at Nanjing University, noted that the roster enables "systematic research on the unit and uncovering the structure of Japan's germ-warfare system," adding that preserved Unit 1644 sites could "advance heritage protection and promote public memory reconstruction and peace education."
The acquisition followed Japan's National Archives' first public display of the rosters of Unit 1644, Unit 8604, and Unit 8609 on May 14. During the invasion of China, the Japanese military established several biological warfare units to launch attacks, among which was the notorious Unit 731 in northeast China. ■
