TaiwanPlus Newsletter Archive - Taiwan's Forgotten Role in WWII

Did Taiwan Win or Lose World War II?

Eighty years after World War II, Allied and Axis veterans now coexist in Taiwan—a reflection of the island’s complex history of both victory and defeat. From 1895 to 1945, Taiwan was part of the Japanese Empire. At the war’s end, control of the island passed to the Republic of China, which had fought against Japan. Today, these differing histories mean multiple narratives of the war still exist, and memories survive through those who lived them.

｜The Question of Recognition｜

The Raid on Taipei

U.S. bombers killed 3,000 people in just two hours on May 31, 1945, damaging several of Taipei’s landmarks. It was the city’s second deadliest day, yet 80 years later there are no public memorials, little mention in schools, and the history is largely forgotten. Some still remember the Raid on Taipei, and we meet them in this report.

A WWII Mystery: Where are Taiwan's Missing War Dead?

Researchers estimate that at least 1,500 soldiers from Taiwan died in the Battle of Okinawa, yet a memorial on the island lists just 34 names. Eighty years on, remains are still being recovered from caves, and some in Taiwan are still searching for answers. In this report, we look at why Taiwan’s war dead remain missing and why they may never be found.

Hiroshima, Nagasaki: An Invitation After 80 Years

Eighty years after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Taiwanese representatives attended the commemorations for the first time. During the war, Taiwan was part of the Japanese Empire, and some of its people died in the blasts. Taiwan’s presence at the annual events may reveal more about today’s politics than about remembering the past.

Watch TaiwanPlus' Entire Series of WWII Reports Here

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