Analyzing the “Photographic Evidence” of the Nanking Massacre

(Nicchu Senso Nankin daigyakusatu jiken shiryoshu :eibun shiryoshu[Source MaterialRelating to the Nanking Massacre During the Sino-Japanese War: English languagematerials] p.31).This passage, however, only records hearsay and was not a personal eye-witnessaccount. In addition, no source materials recorded any accusation against the Japanesefor the execution of civilians who were misidentified as ex-combatants. Fitch himself didnot witness any but he wrote thus using his imagination. There is no convincingevidence to prove that such mistaken executions of civilians really happened.To the contrary, a veteran of the 7th Regiment, which was assigned to sweep thesafety zone, recalled that the regimental command had issued a strict order to protectinnocent citizens and not to enter refugee camps (Unemoto Masami, Shogen ni yoruNankin senshi [Eyewitness Account of the Battle of Nanking] p.12). The Japanese armythus appeared to conduct the “mop-up” operation of the safety zone with meticulous care.For example, the photograph printed on this page shows Japanese military policemenseparating ex-servicemen from civilians by means of body checks. Also, it appears thatthe Japanese troops prioritized the search of government facilities such as the justiceministry building, where many plain-clothed soldiers were hiding, and did not enterrefugee camps, although one cannot ascertain this fact conclusively due to the scarcity ofprimary sources.About 5,000 Chinese POWs whosurrendered to the imperial army.”Mainichi-ban shina jihen gahō, no.24, 21 December 1937, p. 22. Onecan see an ideographic symbolindicating “military police” on thearmband of a Japanese soldierdepicted on the right edge of thephotograph.34