Shanghai 1937: Stalingrad on the Yangtze (11 page)

A group of Japanese marines visit a brothel in Shanghai. Japan and other foreign countries often behaved like semi-colonial powers in China, causing widespread anger in the local population.
Author’s collection

A Japanese unit has its picture taken before leaving for the Shanghai front.
Author’s collection

Two Japanese officers south of Wusong. Both have their helmets fastened with intricate knots applied to the chinstraps, all according to detailed military regulations.
From the American Geographical Society Library, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries

A tense situation on August 12, 1937, the eve of battle. Japanese marines have rolled up their vehicles, British-made Vickers Crossley M25 armored cars, in expectation of Chinese attack.
Courtesy Asahi Shimbun

The Japanese cruiser
Izumo
had seen action since the early 20th century. In Shanghai, it seemed to live a charmed life, never once taking a direct hit from Chinese artillery or aircraft.
Author’s collection

Two Japanese marines, or “bluejackets,” as the contemporary press often nick - named them. During the first difficult days of the Shanghai campaign, they held out against a numerically vastly superior Chinese force. The soldiers here are wearing the winter issue blue wool uniform, suggesting the photo was taken in late 1937.
Author’s collection

The Japanese marine headquarters in northern Shanghai was a veritable fortress and could accommodate thousands of soldiers at a time.
Author’s collection

Street battle in August 1937. The officer in the foreground is leaning against a Vickers Crossley M25 armored car with the decal of the Imperial Japanese Navy on the side. The vehicle was also in use during the 1932 struggle for Shanghai.
Courtesy Asahi Shimbun

Japanese marines posted on a rooftop in Hongkou keep an eye out for Chinese snipers in August 1937. The usual Japanese tactics when locating a sniper was to burn down the entire building.
Courtesy Asahi Shimbun

Rescue workers and journalists step gingerly among human remains left after a Chinese airplane mistakenly releases two bombs over the Palace and Cathay Hotels in the international part of Shanghai on August 14, 1937.
From the American Geographical Society Library, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries

A Lincoln Zephyr left burned out in the middle of Nanjing Road after the twin blasts on August 14, which quickly becomes known as “Black Saturday” or “Bloody Saturday.”
From the American Geographical Society Library, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries