The Battle of China Reel 1 - The Bombing of Shanghai and China’s Ancient Legacy

From Japan’s Air Assault to China’s Long History of Civilization


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Reel 1 of The Battle of China (1944) opens with harrowing footage of Japan’s September 1937 bombing of Shanghai, marking the escalation of full-scale war between China and Japan. Scenes from inside Japanese bombers show bombardiers adjusting their sights and releasing explosives, followed by devastating ground-level footage of civilians running, screaming, and lying dead in the streets. The destruction of Shanghai set the stage for Japan’s ruthless campaign in China.
The film shifts focus to China’s rich 4,000-year history, highlighting its vast landmass, including Manchuria, Mongolia, and Sinkiang, and the mighty Yangtze River. China’s deep cultural heritage is showcased through its world-changing inventions, such as movable type printing, the mariner’s compass, porcelain making, and gunpowder, as well as the wisdom of Confucius’ Analects.
The reel introduces the Tanaka Memorial, a 1927 Japanese imperialist document outlining Japan’s ambition to dominate the world by first conquering China. Animated maps illustrate Japan’s military strategy for global conquest, revealing how China’s fragmentation left it vulnerable to Japan’s militarized dictatorship. This opening reel establishes the stakes of the conflict and the immense challenge China faced in resisting Japanese expansion.

Part of this Complete Film

The Battle of China (1944) - WWII Documentary on Japan’s Invasion

License: Royalty-Free