Memory Recently Retold: The Chinese Historical Writing of the Second Sino-Japanese War and World War II

Abstract

Memories regarding the history of the Second Sino-Japanese War (1931-1945) and World War II (1939-1945) have always been refreshed in the minds of contemporaries through the retelling of “historical war stories” in various forms including books, posters, films and other media presentations. However, these retellings are often criticised by some academics as distortion of historical facts. This is because many of the present generation of readers and audiences were not even born at the time the events happened. Thus, “historical facts” of this era are, in reality, very vague in people’s minds and their “facts” are often simply a construction of frequently retold “historical war stories” mixed with imagination. This article will argue that even immediately after the end of both wars in 1945, fresh history memory was already distorted, with China being the main victim. Following the end of World War II, there was an extensive publication of books and periodicals about the war. However, through varied interpretations of primary sources and use of visual materials in different ways, various positions were created to suit specific needs for justification of China’s desire to be part of the camp of world powers after 1945. Similar diverse positions were also used to make political arguments criticising both the Axis and Allied Powers for working toward different political ends.