Analyzing the “Photographic Evidence” of the Nanking Massacre

The same background as the “original photographs”The “16 Photos” were supposedly taken by a Japanese military man, according tothe account of the former album owner. One may, however, detect many dubious pointsin some of them—Photo 70-75—if one assumes that a Japanese serviceman took theseimages. First, the photographer took these snapshots, which numbered as many as six, atvery close range. Second, there were many spectators, including those who were holdingcameras. Given such circumstances, it is natural to assume that the photographer—if hehad really been a Japanese military man—would have obtained permission of the Japanesemilitary command to take these images. At the same time, the military command shouldhave recorded his name and his unit, and secured his oath that he would not release theseimages to the public.Photo EPhoto DPhoto D: The same as Photo 14 as printed in WMRB. It is credited as “Courtesy ofMarion Fitch” in RON-YY, p. 127.Photo E: An image identical to Photo 70, which is one of the “16 Photographs.” It isreprinted in RON-YY, p. 70. The same person is seen, in the portion marked by a square,in both Photos D and E.139