Summary: Film of the Japanese occupation forces on and off duty in Shanghai and nearby Suchou during the summer of 1938.
Description: East Asia is at war but all is peaceful in Shanghai as day breaks over the crowded city, guarded by the Japanese. Troops load supplies on board an armed river boat flotilla, which steams up the Yangtse Kiang towards Suchou, an economic and military centre vital to the reconstruction of the economy. En route the flotilla passes unidentified sunken vessels and at night as the Japanese sailors man the machine-guns buildings are seen ablaze on the banks of the river laid waste by Chinese guerrillas. Next day the flotilla arrives at Suchou where supplies are unloaded for the garrison and the Japanese soldiers watch a display of sumo wrestling and kendo. Soldiers on leave go sight-seeing by boat and rickshaw through the now decadent city of Suchou, picturesque but cramped and dirty with flies settled on a pig's skull. Soldiers wander through the bazaar and attend a Chinese theatre performance. Following morning the flotilla sets off to return to Shanghai after taking leave of the Suchou garrison and Chinese children waving Japanese flags.
Production Details: UFA (Production company)
Angst, Richard (Production individual)
Angst, Richard (Production individual)
Ito, Sueo (Production individual)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: IMPERIAL JAPANESE ARMY (regiment/service)
Imperial Japanese Navy (regiment/service)
Keywords: administration, Japanese - occupation: Shanghai (object name)
operations, Japanese military - routine (object name)
operations, Japanese naval - routine (object name)
China & Yangtse-Kiang (River) (geography)
China & Suchou (geography)
China & Shanghai (geography)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: German
Title language: German
Subtitle language: None
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 2
Footage: 1478 ft; Running time: 16 mins
