This morning, I came across several exchanges in a college group about writing. One person mentioned, "After watching the talk on the documentary of Lisbon Maru sinking, I strongly feel that history should be recorded promptly. In the past few days, I’ve been reminiscing about small things from our school days and finding them quite interesting."
Another shared, "I admire the director Fang Li and was deeply moved by the humanity shown by the Chinese people. At the end of each year, I now write a yearly record, reminiscing and making notes about past years." Another said, "I admire you for taking up the pen. I haven’t been able to start writing anything myself."
These exchanges made me reflect on many things. First of all, the sinking of the Lisbon Maru really drives home the brutal reality of war.
For context: see the book The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru: Britain's Forgotten Wartime Tragedy by Tony Banham, 2006. The sinking of the Lisbon Maru occurred during World War II. It was a Japanese cargo ship, used to transport prisoners. On October 1, 1942, it was carrying around 1,800 British prisoners of war (POWs), along with Japanese troops and cargo. While en route from Hong Kong to Japan, the Lisbon Maru was torpedoed by the American submarine USS Grouper off the coast of Zhoushan, China, near Shanghai. The Japanese crew abandoned the ship after it was damaged, but locked the POWs below deck as the ship sank, preventing their escape.
Out of those British POWs on board, many drowned or died when the ship eventually sank the next day. Around 800 survived, thanks to the heroic efforts of Chinese fishermen from nearby islands, who risked their lives to rescue the POWs.
The sinking of the Lisbon Maru fully exposes the unforgiving and dehumanizing nature of war—its inherent chaos leads to tragic mistakes like this. Ironically, this incident demonstrates the indiscriminate destruction and devastating consequences that war brings, which continue to occur in war-torn areas today.
Regarding the cruelty of the Japanese in their treatment of POWs, what can one expect from an enemy in war? War itself is an act of disregard for human life, a systematic killing of humans.
However, amidst this horror, there is a glimmer of hope—the brave Chinese fishermen, who risked their lives to save the British prisoners. Their actions remind us that courage, compassion, and selflessness can shine through even the darkest sinking moments. Even in war, human kindness endures.
Secondly, some members of our social group have already begun writing about our college experiences from the 1970s—a time when China was undergoing drastic changes. Looking back, there is so much worth preserving and recording from those years. As we reflect on these personal memories, we contribute to a larger tapestry of history, ensuring that these experiences, both big and small, are not forgotten
Finally, as the Chinese saying goes, 前事不忘，后事之师 (Qián shì bù wàng, hòu shì zhī shī), meaning:"If past events are not forgotten, they can serve as a guide for the future." It emphasizes the importance of remembering and learning from history to avoid repeating mistakes.
As we share and reflect on both personal memories and historical tragedies like the sinking of the Lisbon Maru, we are reminded of the importance of bearing witness to the past. Whether it’s the horrors of war or the personal stories from our own lives, recording these experiences ensures that future generations can learn from them. In a world that continues to face war, conflict and changes, the act of remembering is a way of creating a more compassionate today and tomorrow, without war.