海外人士谈抗战丨专访：中国抗战是“整个二战中最重大的事件之一”——访美国军事史学家理查德·弗兰克

Core Viewpoint - Richard Frank, a prominent military historian, emphasizes that the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japan is one of the most significant events of World War II, positioning the Chinese front as central to the Asia-Pacific theater during the war [1][2]. Group 1 - Frank is currently writing a trilogy on the history of the Asia-Pacific theater in World War II, with the first volume titled "Skull Tower," which aims to correct the narrow Western narrative surrounding the war and highlight China's contributions [2][3]. - He highlights a historical event in 1938 where China managed to transport a large number of personnel and materials from Yichang to Sichuan in just 40 days, preserving the nation's industrial lifeline and talent pool, which profoundly impacted his understanding of China's wartime history [2][3]. - Frank criticizes the traditional Western narrative that labels the Asia-Pacific conflict as the "Pacific War," arguing that it only covers about 25% of the affected population and 15% of the casualties, leading to a misleading impression of the war's impact [2][3]. Group 2 - Frank asserts that the historical narrative used by the U.S. and other Western countries has serious flaws that could erase significant historical facts, advocating for a more comprehensive and accurate representation of the Asia-Pacific theater [3]. - He believes that understanding the global impact of World War II from a historical perspective can provide a foundational framework for interpreting the contemporary world [3].