Battle of Nanking

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The Battle of Nanking was an engagement fought in early December 1937 between the National Revolutionary Army of China and the Imperial Japanese Army during the Second Sino-Japanese War for control of the city of Nanking, the capital of the Republic of China.

Before the attack on the city of Nanking[edit]

  • Nanking's fortified city walls as seen in 1930

    Nanking's fortified city walls as seen in 1930

  • Japanese soldiers sitting around a bonfire and reading newspapers while waiting for the order to attack Nanking(Date: December 9 1937)

    Japanese soldiers sitting around a bonfire and reading newspapers while waiting for the order to attack Nanking(Date: December 9 1937)

  • Japanese soldiers marching on Nanking, carrying guns and wheels(Date: December 9 1937)

    Japanese soldiers marching on Nanking, carrying guns and wheels(Date: December 9 1937)

  • Chinese poster in Nanking warning residents that those who collaborate with the Japanese Army will be executed as traitors

    Chinese poster in Nanking warning residents that those who collaborate with the Japanese Army will be executed as traitors

  • Nanking's Central Hospital hit by Japanese bombs on September 25 1937

    Nanking's Central Hospital hit by Japanese bombs on September 25 1937

  • A Chinese civilian carries his dying son wounded in a Japanese air raid(Date: December 6 1937)

    A Chinese civilian carries his dying son wounded in a Japanese air raid(Date: December 6 1937)

  • Battle of Nanking campaign map, with the red lines being the Japanese path of advance and the brown lines being Chinese defense lines

    Battle of Nanking campaign map, with the red lines being the Japanese path of advance and the brown lines being Chinese defense lines

The all-out attack on Nanking(December 10-13 1937)[edit]

  • An explosion at Zhonghua Gate(Date: December 12 1937)

    An explosion at Zhonghua Gate(Date: December 12 1937)

  • An explosion at Zhonghua Gate(Date: December 12 1937)

    An explosion at Zhonghua Gate(Date: December 12 1937)

  • Japanese soldiers waiting to burst into Nanking with their field guns just fifty meters from Zhonghua Gate(Date: December 12 1937)

    Japanese soldiers waiting to burst into Nanking with their field guns just fifty meters from Zhonghua Gate(Date: December 12 1937)

  • Japanese troops atop Guanghua Gate shouting "Banzai" three times(Date: December 13 1937)

    Japanese troops atop Guanghua Gate shouting "Banzai" three times(Date: December 13 1937)

  • Japanese soldiers watch a shell fired from atop Guanghua Gate explode over Chinese positions within the city(Date: December 13 1937)

    Japanese soldiers watch a shell fired from atop Guanghua Gate explode over Chinese positions within the city(Date: December 13 1937)

  • The bridge in front of Zhonghua Gate destroyed by Japanese shellfire(Date: December 13 1937)

    The bridge in front of Zhonghua Gate destroyed by Japanese shellfire(Date: December 13 1937)

  • Japan's Chiba unit trying to enter Nanking's Zhonghua Gate by crossing the Qinhuai River(Date: December 13 1937)

    Japan's Chiba unit trying to enter Nanking's Zhonghua Gate by crossing the Qinhuai River(Date: December 13 1937)

  • Japan's Chiba unit crossing the Qinhuai River(Date: December 13 1937)

    Japan's Chiba unit crossing the Qinhuai River(Date: December 13 1937)

  • Japanese soldiers rushing to enter Nanking's Zhongshan Gate following its capture(Date: December 13 1937)

    Japanese soldiers rushing to enter Nanking's Zhongshan Gate following its capture(Date: December 13 1937)

  • Japanese soldiers stand atop the ruins of Zhongshan Gate(Date: December 13 1937)

    Japanese soldiers stand atop the ruins of Zhongshan Gate(Date: December 13 1937)

Aftermath of the battle[edit]

  • Japanese soldiers walking amidst debris on Nanking's Zhongshan Road

    Japanese soldiers walking amidst debris on Nanking's Zhongshan Road

  • Japanese troops marching through Nanking's Zhongshan Road(Date: December 14 1937)

    Japanese troops marching through Nanking's Zhongshan Road(Date: December 14 1937)

  • Chinese civilians emerging from a bomb shelter and greeting Japanese soldiers following the end of the battle of Nanking(Date: December 14 1937)

    Chinese civilians emerging from a bomb shelter and greeting Japanese soldiers following the end of the battle of Nanking(Date: December 14 1937)

  • Japanese soldiers searching Chinese troops who had attempted to escape by mingling with Chinese refugees in Nanking

    Japanese soldiers searching Chinese troops who had attempted to escape by mingling with Chinese refugees in Nanking

  • Japanese soldiers entering Nanking with carp which floated up to the surface of a pond following a shell blast

    Japanese soldiers entering Nanking with carp which floated up to the surface of a pond following a shell blast

  • A Japanese soldiers playing the piano in the middle of Nanking's Zhongshan Road

    A Japanese soldiers playing the piano in the middle of Nanking's Zhongshan Road

  • A high-tech anti-aircraft gun abandoned by the Chinese Army in Nanking

    A high-tech anti-aircraft gun abandoned by the Chinese Army in Nanking

  • A Japanese proclamation put up in Nanking stating that the Japanese Army is fighting only against the warlords and not against the ordinary people of China

    A Japanese proclamation put up in Nanking stating that the Japanese Army is fighting only against the warlords and not against the ordinary people of China

  • Captured war flags of the Chinese Army being displayed by Japanese troops in Nanking

    Captured war flags of the Chinese Army being displayed by Japanese troops in Nanking

  • The Japanese flag being put up over Japan's consulate general in Nanking for the first time in half a year(Date: December 14 1937)

    The Japanese flag being put up over Japan's consulate general in Nanking for the first time in half a year(Date: December 14 1937)

  • Chinese POWs held by Japanese troops(Date: December 16 1937)

    Chinese POWs held by Japanese troops(Date: December 16 1937)

  • A Chinese orphan in Nanking with Japanese soldiers(Date: December 16 1937)

    A Chinese orphan in Nanking with Japanese soldiers(Date: December 16 1937)

  • Chinese barber working on a street in Nanking as the city returns to normalcy(Date: December 17 1937)

    Chinese barber working on a street in Nanking as the city returns to normalcy(Date: December 17 1937)

  • Japanese soldiers interacting with Chinese civilians on a street corner in Nanking(Date: December 17 1937)

    Japanese soldiers interacting with Chinese civilians on a street corner in Nanking(Date: December 17 1937)

  • Japanese soldiers shopping in Nanking(Date: December 17 1937)

    Japanese soldiers shopping in Nanking(Date: December 17 1937)

  • Japanese soldiers and Chinese children playing with toy tanks in Nanking's Zhongshan Road(Date: December 20 1937)

    Japanese soldiers and Chinese children playing with toy tanks in Nanking's Zhongshan Road(Date: December 20 1937)

  • Chinese children playing in and around a broken coach in a residential district of Nanking(Date: December 20 1937)

    Chinese children playing in and around a broken coach in a residential district of Nanking(Date: December 20 1937)

  • Chinese civilians singing hymns in a church in Nanking(Date: December 25 1937)

    Chinese civilians singing hymns in a church in Nanking(Date: December 25 1937)

  • Japanese aircraft engineer studying a Soviet-built Polikarpov I-16 fighter used by the Chinese Air Force (Date: December 22 1937)

    Japanese aircraft engineer studying a Soviet-built Polikarpov I-16 fighter used by the Chinese Air Force (Date: December 22 1937)

  • Chinese people sweeping the streets clean following the end of the battle(Date: December 22 1937)

    Chinese people sweeping the streets clean following the end of the battle(Date: December 22 1937)

  • Japanese soldiers preparing for New Years' Day by putting up Japanese pine decorations called kadomatsu in front of Nanking city hall(Date: December 26 1937)

    Japanese soldiers preparing for New Years' Day by putting up Japanese pine decorations called kadomatsu in front of Nanking city hall(Date: December 26 1937)

  • Busy street in the Nanking Safety Zone(Date: December 27 1937)

    Busy street in the Nanking Safety Zone(Date: December 27 1937)

  • Soviet embassy burning due to an act of arson by a Chinese citizen(Date: January 1 1938)

    Soviet embassy burning due to an act of arson by a Chinese citizen(Date: January 1 1938)

  • Photograph of Tao Xisan, who would become the Chairman of the Nanking Self-Government Committee

    Photograph of Tao Xisan, who would become the Chairman of the Nanking Self-Government Committee

  • Gathering of the Chinese men who will constitute the Nanking Self-Government Committee, with Tao Xisan in the center of the front row(Date: December 23 1937)

    Gathering of the Chinese men who will constitute the Nanking Self-Government Committee, with Tao Xisan in the center of the front row(Date: December 23 1937)

Japanese victory parade(December 17 1937)[edit]

  • Japanese soldiers standing at attention on both sides of Nanking's main thoroughfare

    Japanese soldiers standing at attention on both sides of Nanking's main thoroughfare

  • Japanese soldiers holding mortuary tablets and the ashes of fellow soldiers killed in action

    Japanese soldiers holding mortuary tablets and the ashes of fellow soldiers killed in action

  • Japan's Ono Unit doing a rifle salute atop Nanking's Zhongshan Gate

    Japan's Ono Unit doing a rifle salute atop Nanking's Zhongshan Gate

  • Japanese commander Iwane Matsui riding into Nanking

    Japanese commander Iwane Matsui riding into Nanking

  • Japanese navy personnel who had landed at Xiaguan marching through Nanking's Yijiang Gate while holding the Japanese naval ensign

    Japanese navy personnel who had landed at Xiaguan marching through Nanking's Yijiang Gate while holding the Japanese naval ensign

  • Brass band of the Japanese Navy marching on Nanking's Zhongshan Road

    Brass band of the Japanese Navy marching on Nanking's Zhongshan Road

  • The Japanese flag fluttering over the former seat of the Nationalist Government of China

    The Japanese flag fluttering over the former seat of the Nationalist Government of China

  • Japanese officers entering the former seat of the Nationalist Government of China

    Japanese officers entering the former seat of the Nationalist Government of China

  • Japanese officers gathering in the courtyard of the former seat of the Nationalist Government of China

    Japanese officers gathering in the courtyard of the former seat of the Nationalist Government of China

  • Commanders of the Japanese Army in the courtyard of the former seat of the Nationalist Government of China

    Commanders of the Japanese Army in the courtyard of the former seat of the Nationalist Government of China

  • Commanders of the Japanese Army bowing in the direction of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo

    Commanders of the Japanese Army bowing in the direction of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo

  • Japanese officers bowing in the direction of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo

    Japanese officers bowing in the direction of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo

  • Chinese refugees cheering Japanese soldiers who are distributing candy and cigarettes to them on the day of the victory parade

    Chinese refugees cheering Japanese soldiers who are distributing candy and cigarettes to them on the day of the victory parade

Japanese memorial service in Nanking(December 18 1937)[edit]

  • Japanese soldiers in Nanking marching to the site of the memorial service

    Japanese soldiers in Nanking marching to the site of the memorial service

  • Japanese navy personnel entering the site of the memorial service

    Japanese navy personnel entering the site of the memorial service

  • From left to right, Vice Admiral Kiyoshi Hasegawa, General Iwane Matsui, Prince Asaka and General Iwane Matsui

    From left to right, Vice Admiral Kiyoshi Hasegawa, General Iwane Matsui, Prince Asaka and General Iwane Matsui

  • Otani Kosho(right), Patriarch of the Japanese Buddhist temple Nishi Honganji

    Otani Kosho(right), Patriarch of the Japanese Buddhist temple Nishi Honganji

  • The altar at the memorial service in Nanking

    The altar at the memorial service in Nanking

  • Japanese navy personnel saluting the soldiers who fell in battle

    Japanese navy personnel saluting the soldiers who fell in battle

  • General Iwane Matsui delivering an address of condolence

    General Iwane Matsui delivering an address of condolence

  • General Iwane Matsui offering up a sacred tree, or tamagushi, at the altar

    General Iwane Matsui offering up a sacred tree, or tamagushi, at the altar

  • Vice Admiral Kiyoshi Hasegawa delivering an address of condolence

    Vice Admiral Kiyoshi Hasegawa delivering an address of condolence

Medical services following the battle[edit]

  • Chinese soldiers injured during the Battle of Nanking receiving treatment from Japanese army medics at a field hospital set up inside the building of the Chinese Foreign Ministry(Date: December 20 1937)

    Chinese soldiers injured during the Battle of Nanking receiving treatment from Japanese army medics at a field hospital set up inside the building of the Chinese Foreign Ministry(Date: December 20 1937)

  • Japanese army medics giving free medical care to Chinese refugees(Date: December 20 1937)

    Japanese army medics giving free medical care to Chinese refugees(Date: December 20 1937)

  • Japanese army doctors re-dressing a patient's wound(Date: December 30 1937)

    Japanese army doctors re-dressing a patient's wound(Date: December 30 1937)

  • Japanese army medics treating Chinese children for trachoma(Date: December 30 1937)

    Japanese army medics treating Chinese children for trachoma(Date: December 30 1937)

  • A nurse cheering up a wounded Japanese soldier

    A nurse cheering up a wounded Japanese soldier

  • A nurse cutting the hair of wounded Japanese soldier

    A nurse cutting the hair of wounded Japanese soldier

Inauguration of the Nanking Self-Government Committee(January 1 1938)[edit]

  • Flag-waving Chinese citizens marching to the inaugural ceremony of the Nanking Self-Government Committee

    Flag-waving Chinese citizens marching to the inaugural ceremony of the Nanking Self-Government Committee

  • Flag-waving Chinese citizens marching to the inaugural ceremony of the Nanking Self-Government Committee

    Flag-waving Chinese citizens marching to the inaugural ceremony of the Nanking Self-Government Committee

  • Chinese residents of Nanking gathering at the inaugural ceremony of the Nanking Self-Government Committee

    Chinese residents of Nanking gathering at the inaugural ceremony of the Nanking Self-Government Committee

  • Chairman Tao Xisan(right end) at the inaugural ceremony of the Nanking Self-Government Committee with other committee members

    Chairman Tao Xisan(right end) at the inaugural ceremony of the Nanking Self-Government Committee with other committee members

  • Inaugural ceremony of the Nanking Self-Government Committee

    Inaugural ceremony of the Nanking Self-Government Committee

  • Chinese band playing at the inaugural ceremony of the Nanking Self-Government Committee

    Chinese band playing at the inaugural ceremony of the Nanking Self-Government Committee

  • Address by Chairman Tao Xisan

    Address by Chairman Tao Xisan

  • Tao Xisan proclaiming the inauguration of the Nanking Self-Government Committee

    Tao Xisan proclaiming the inauguration of the Nanking Self-Government Committee

  • Cheers led by Tao Xisan

    Cheers led by Tao Xisan

Celebrations in Japan[edit]

  • Japanese citizens at the Navy Ministry celebrating the fall of Nanking(Date: December 11 1937)

    Japanese citizens at the Navy Ministry celebrating the fall of Nanking(Date: December 11 1937)

  • Japanese citizens celebrating the fall of Nanking(Date: December 12 1937)

    Japanese citizens celebrating the fall of Nanking(Date: December 12 1937)

  • More celebrations in Japan(Date: December 12 1937)

    More celebrations in Japan(Date: December 12 1937)

  • Caricature of Chiang Kai-shek put up in Ginza, Tokyo(Date: December 12 1937)

    Caricature of Chiang Kai-shek put up in Ginza, Tokyo(Date: December 12 1937)

  • Buildings lit up in Tokyo in honor of the capture of Nanking(Date: December 12 1937)

    Buildings lit up in Tokyo in honor of the capture of Nanking(Date: December 12 1937)

  • Newspaper ad encouraging readers to buy Gekkeikan sake to celebrate the fall of Nanking(Date: December 12 1937)

    Newspaper ad encouraging readers to buy Gekkeikan sake to celebrate the fall of Nanking(Date: December 12 1937)

  • Extra of the Osaka Asahi Shimbun reporting on the fall of Nanking

    Extra of the Osaka Asahi Shimbun reporting on the fall of Nanking

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