Shanghai 1937: Stalingrad on the Yangtze (12 page)

Japanese marines defending Hongkou in the middle of August, at the moment of greatest crisis. The footwear is typical for the Japanese army. The soft shoes may be of the “camel foot” kind with a split at the toe. They did not look particularly martial to outsiders, but they were practical. So were the puttees, which could occasionally come in handy when bandages were not available.
Courtesy Asahi Shimbun

A pile of used rounds next to the heavy machinegun indicates a battle that has lasted for some time. The low angle and the fatigued expression on the face of the soldier to the right suggest this photo from August 1937 depicts an authentic combat situation. Notice the knots used to fix the chinstrap of the helmet.
Courtesy Asahi Shimbun

A Japanese motorcycle with a machine gun mounted on the sidecar speeds down a Shanghai street in the frantic early days of the battle.
From the American Geographical Society Library, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries

Japanese marines drive through the deserted streets of Shanghai under a faint August sun. The marines were proud of their naval ties, as reflected in the anchor symbol on the grill of the truck.
Courtesy Asahi Shimbun

The Railway Bureau near the North Train Station in Zhabei. This area was held by members of China’s elite 88th Division and became among the most contested pieces of real estate in the Shanghai region. After Japan had won the battle, and the Rising Sun flag was flying over the bureau’s building, it grew into a tourist attraction. Here a number of American sailors inspect the site.
Author’s collection

A Japanese marine officer gives a pep talk to his men before they move into battle, mid-August 1937. Other officers and NCOs appear to be studying a map in the bottom right corner.
Courtesy Asahi Shimbun

Japanese officers counterattack near the wharf area in mid-August.
Courtesy Asahi Shimbun

Japanese defenders in the early stages of the Shanghai battle. The gate could be leading into the wharf areas, which were an elusive prize for the Chinese attackers in late August.
Courtesy Asahi Shimbun

A horse is loaded onto a Japanese barge before being transported to a shore near Shanghai. Although the Japanese army was technologically far ahead of its Chinese foe, it still to a large extent was driven by horsepower.
Author’s collection

Japanese soldiers have descended from their transport into the landing craft that will take them into battle. Most are wearing a white bandana, known as a hachimaki. It was traditionally used to create team spirit, similar in purpose to some American paratroopers putting on Indian-style war paint before jumping out of their planes over Normandy in 1944. It was also useful when telling friend from foe during night fighting.
Author’s collection

Japanese troops disembark on the south bank of the Yangtze in early September 1937. Landing troops took longer than expected, mainly due to difficult natural conditions. In most cases during the battle of Shanghai, Japanese amphibious maneuvers met little Chinese resistance.
Author’s collection

Japanese infantry marches inland after successfully disembarking on the south bank of the Yangtze in late August.
Courtesy Asahi