Bernhard Sindberg: The Schindler of Nanjing

During the Sino-Japanese War in 1937, Bernhard Arp Sindberg, a Danish supervisor at a cement plant in Nanjing, saved 10,000 Chinese civilians by opening the factory gates. Despite his remarkable achievement, he remained unrecognized and lived a quiet life until his death in 1983. This biography sheds light on Sindberg's life, from his childhood in Aarhus to his adventures as a sailor and Foreign Legionnaire, and his heroic actions during the war.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 15 January 2024
Publisher: Casemate Publishers

In December 1937, the Chinese capital of Nanjing fell, and the Japanese army unleashed an orgy of torture, murder, and rape that lasted for six weeks. During this time, hundreds of thousands of civilians and prisoners of war were killed. At the very onset of the atrocities, a Danish supervisor at a cement plant just outside the city, 26-year-old Bernhard Arp Sindberg, took extraordinary action. Despite the danger, Sindberg opened the factory gates and welcomed in 10,000 Chinese civilians to safety, ensuring that they were beyond the reach of the bloodthirsty Japanese. His selfless act became an Asian equivalent of Oskar Schindler, the savior of Jews during the European Holocaust.

This biography follows Sindberg's life from his childhood in the old Viking city of Aarhus to his first adventures as a sailor and a Foreign Legionnaire. It then delves into the dramatic 104 days when Sindberg rescued thousands of helpless men, women, and children in the darkest hour of the Sino-Japanese War. After his remarkable achievement, Sindberg receded back into obscurity, spending decades more at sea and becoming a naturalized American citizen. He died of old age in Los Angeles in 1983, completely unrecognized.

There is an obvious parallel between Sindberg and Schindler, who only attained posthumous fame. The book sets the record straight by providing the first complete account of Sindberg's life in English, based on archival sources hitherto unutilized by any historian as well as interviews with surviving relatives. What emerges is the surprising tale of a person who was average in every respect but rose to the occasion when faced with unimaginable brutality. Sindberg discovered an inner strength and courage that transformed him into one of the great humanitarian figures of the 20th century and an inspiration for our modern age. His determined actions demonstrate that the actions of one person—any person—can make a huge difference in the face of adversity.

Sindberg's story is a testament to the human spirit's resilience and the power of compassion. His actions during the Sino-Japanese War saved countless lives and demonstrated that even in the darkest of times, there is hope for humanity. His legacy continues to inspire people around the world, reminding us of the importance of standing up against injustice and promoting peace and human rights.

Weight: 500g
Dimension: 160 x 235 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781636243313