John Rabe

While not primarily a literary figure, this German businessman is recognized for his courageous attempts to halt the atrocities committed by the Japanese army during the Nanking Occupation. When unable to prevent the violence, he dedicated himself to protecting and aiding Chinese civilians caught in the conflict. He was instrumental in establishing the Nanjing Safety Zone, a sanctuary that sheltered approximately 200,000 Chinese people from the massacre. His wartime diaries offer a harrowing account of these events.