JAPANESE INVASION OF CHINA SEIGE OF SHANGHAI & INTERNATIONAL SETTLEMENT WWII FILM 47304

This 1939 black and white documentary film “The Tragedy of the Siege of Shanghai” provides on-the-scene reporting of the first Japanese invasion of China. It was produced by E.W. Hammons, founder of Educational Pictures, filmed with Leon Britton and Charles Hugo in Shanghai. Actual footage shows Japanese military aircraft flying over Shanghai and the first bomb hitting. Additional bombs follow and smoke fills the skies (1:00-1:35). People run in panic as more bombs strike. The city streets are wall-to-wall people heading for the French International Settlement, which is declared safe from bombing. Some travel in rickshaws (1:36-2:40). An official state of emergency declaration is posted in English and Chinese on January 28, 1932 (2:42-2:52). Japanese men work to fill sandbags. Japanese Marines establish control. The reporters are allowed to enter with a British escort. Japanese sailors stand against barricades. They frisk a Chinese citizen. Soldiers wait with guns ready to fire (2:55-4:05). Firemen attempt to