Analyzing the “Photographic Evidence” of the Nanking Massacre

Crisscrossed runningcanals.” Manshū Graph:Nankin kōryakutokushū-gō [Manchurian Imperial forces enteringGraph: Special Issue Changshou via canals onCommemorating the boats. Photographed byCapture of Nanking], correspondent Kumazaki,January 25, 1938, p. 8. 20 December 1937.”Asahi Graph, vol. 29-24, 15December 1937, p. 9.Third, the Japanese army units fought a number of military engagements on theirway to Nanking. Whether they were ambushed or took the Chinese by surprise, theJapanese were usually heavily outnumbered. In one instance, some 460 Japanese menfrom two companies were surrounded by about 20,000 Chinese troops. As both theadvancing Japanese and retreating Chinese were nearing Nanking, they clashed againsteach more severely and with greater frequency.Those of the “great massacre school” of the Nanking massacre controversy oftenadvance the thesis that the Japanese army entered Nanking after a series of operations forthe purpose of annihilation—a contention that gives readers the impression that theJapanese slaughtered defenseless and unarmed opponents. The reality was, however,that the retreating armed Chinese attempted to deal a smashing blow to the Japanese.“The Katagiri unit hoisting the Japaneseflag in front of Chanzhou station.”Mainichi-ban shina-jihen gahō, no. 13,21 December 1937, p. 19.17