Site of the “Rice Hull Bridge Massacre”

Site of the “Rice Hull Bridge Massacre”

The Site of the “Rice Hull Bridge Massacre” is a cultural tourism attraction.

In July 1942, during the second Japanese occupation of Wenzhou, the Japanese army captured 18 young men, including Pan Ruiming, in Nantang and imprisoned them in an empty building near Rice Hull Bridge (now Longfang Bridge). Early the next morning, the Japanese soldiers marched them to the riverbank, beat them with bamboo poles, and forced them into the water. Fortunately, they were all good swimmers and desperately tried to swim to the opposite bank. Seeing that they could all swim, the Japanese threatened them with guns and forced them to swim back. After they crawled ashore, the Japanese tied them up with ropes and stretched them out on the stone slabs to “dry in the sun like fish.” It was midsummer, and after about an hour in the scorching sun, they loosened their ropes, dragged them back to the river, and pushed them into the water to soak for a while. Then they pulled them back onto the shore and forced them to kneel on the stone bridge under the blazing sun. This torture was repeated many times. Their hands and feet became numb and purple from the tight bindings, their knees swollen and bleeding, and their bodies covered in blisters. They suffered unbearable pain and were barely alive.

On the third day, a cruel Japanese soldier tied Pan Ruiming’s hands together and dragged him to the riverbank, then suddenly pushed him into the water. Realizing the soldiers intended to kill him, Pan held his breath and stayed underwater without moving. When he could no longer hold his breath, he surfaced for air. At that moment, the Japanese soldiers guarding the river spotted him. Seeing he was still alive, they picked up a large rock and were about to smash his head when suddenly, thunder roared and a fierce storm broke out, with rain pouring down in sheets. Frightened, the Japanese dropped the rock. Taking the opportunity, Pan Ruiming frantically frog-swam to the opposite bank and escaped the clutches of the enemy, saving his own life. The other 17 companions, however, endured extreme torture by the Japanese and were brutally killed.

To remember this history and educate future generations, the Wenzhou municipal government erected a memorial pavilion next to Longfang Bridge.

The Site of the “Rice Hull Bridge Massacre” is located at Longfang Bridge in Lucheng District, Wenzhou.

Source: Party History Research Office of the Wenzhou Municipal Committee of the CPC