The Battle of China, 1944

Experience the American Journey through our country’s visual heritage in this historical recording provided by the National Archives of the United States.

This motion picture film explores Japanese aggression. Japanese planes bomb Shanghai; citizens flee. Describes Chinese development of the compass, printing, astronomy, gunpowder, and porcelain. Views of the Gobi Desert, sampans, and types of architecture and statuary. Japanese artillery fires and cavalry advances. Also describes Japanese plans for world conquest; contrasts Japanese unity with Chinese disunity. Footage also shows Emperor Hirohito. Shows Sun Yat-sen and uprisings against the Manchu dynasty. Hospitals, highways, schools, and factories are constructed. Children play at school. Emperor Hirohito reviews Japanese troops; tanks roll down a street. Shows a Japanese munitions factory, a Japanese fleet at sea, troops marching, the Army occupying Manchuria, views of the League of Nations as the action is condemned, the Great Wall of China, the puppet premier Pu-Yi, Japanese attacking Chinese at Marco Polo Bridge in 1937, and Chiang Kai-shek. Shows street and harbor scenes in Shanghai, the bombing and naval bombardment of the city, street fighting, and the city’s capture by Japanese units. Japanese troops advance toward Nanking. The reel shows fighting in and around Nanking. Footage describes Japanese atrocities during the rape of Nanking and shows dead and injured civilians. Chinese demonstrate against Japan. Chiang Kai-shek speaks. Hordes of Chinese emigrate to the West carrying their belongings with them. Shows the establishment of the new Chinese capitol at Chungking. Air raid shelters are dug; the city is bombed. Shows an underground factory, fires being fought, recruits for the Chinese Army, the “Flying Tigers” taking off, and Japanese units occupying the Chinese coast.

An Orientation Film from the Office of the Chief Signal Officer.

This historical recording from the National Archives may contain variations in audio and video quality based on the limitations of the original source material.

The content summary for this DVD is adapted from an historical description provided by the government agency or donor at the time of production release. This product is manufactured on demand using DVD-R recordable media. Amazon.com’s standard return policy will apply.

List Price: $ 18.95

Price: $ 18.95