Martyrs’ Shrine `impressive:’ descendants of WWII Soviet pilots

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2015/08/14
By: Elaine Hou

Taipei, Aug. 14 (CNA) Descendants of two Soviet pilots who died fighting for the Republic of China during the War of Resistance against Japan that began in 1937 visited the Martyrs’ Shrine in Taipei Friday, saying that they were impressed and touched by the site.

Evgeny Opasov, son of pilot Constantin Opasov, said through an interpreter that he was “touched” to visit the shrine, which honors ROC military personnel and foreign soldiers and officers who helped the ROC in the war against Japan, among many others.

He told local reporters after touring the shrine that he really appreciated the visit and was pleased to meet with Taiwanese senior military officers.

Andrey Matveev, grandson of late Soviet pilot Nikolai Matveev, said that it is very important that Taiwan has such a site to remember those who sacrificed their lives in the eight-year war.     [FULL  STORY]