Analyzing the “Photographic Evidence” of the Nanking Massacre

Photo 126Photo 126: RON-YY, which features this photograph on p. 57, does not credit this to Steele.NDG, however, carries the same image and credits it to Steele on p. 109.Photo 127 is another Steele photograph printed in Nankin jiken shiryō-shū (I).This source quoted him as saying that this was an image taken during the Japanese army’smopping-up operation in Nanking, and that arson was a probable cause of the smoke in theback. As for Photo 128, SND credited the Memorial Hall as its courtesy provider andmentioned Steele as its photographer. Judging from common objects shown on these twoimages—the smoke in the back and a sign board reading Wuhejiangyuan—they depict thesame location on the same date. What is notable on Photo 128 is that it shows two of thefour Japanese soldiers looking at the camera. The implication here is that these Japanesemilitary men tolerated what Steele did—to take photographs of them. Had these Japanesesoldiers been committing an unlawful act which they did not want him to photograph, theywould have restrained him, or even would have confiscated his film. That they did nottake away Steele’s film suggests that these Japanese soldiers were conducting a lawfulmilitary operation—a mopping-up operation that the troops in occupation of a town need toconduct. They tolerated Steele’s photographing activity because they had no qualm aboutallowing him to record their legitimate military activities with his camera.198