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George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center
Fenwick Library, MS2FLKristen Korfitzen
There are no restrictions.
Collection is open to research.
The entire collection is available online through the Japanese invasion of Manchuria collection. You can also access the digital items through the inventory on this finding aid.
Japanese invasion of Manchuria photograph collection, C0200, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.
Donated by Mr. Nagurney in 1978.
Processed by Kristen Korfitzen in November 2011. EAD created by Kristen Korfitzen in November 2011.
The majority of the photographs in this collection appear to document the Japanese invasion of Manchuria. On September 19, 1931, the Kwantung Army of the Empire of Japan invaded Manchuria following the Mukden (Manchurian) Incident.
The Japanese invasion of Manchuria photograph collection consists of 99 lantern slides and 4 glass negatives. The majority of the slides show images of the Japanese invasion of Manchuria in 1932, but many also show images of conflict from earlier periods possibly including the Chinese revolution of 1911 and the reign of the Manchurian warlord Zhang Zuolin. Some slides in the collection are dated and several images show weapons, tanks and trains that were not introduced into China until the Japanese invasion in the 1930s. Several of the slides are maps dated to 1933. The maps mainly show Jehol Province, which in 1955 was dissolved and incorporated into several other provinces. The maps highlight several passes in Jehol strategically important for the Japanese invasion. Other maps in the collection include larger areas of the Republic of China, areas of China under Communist control prior to the Chinese Civil War, and maps of Asia and Eurasia. The photo slides show various images of war throughout a possible 10 to 20 year period. The images include; soldiers in and out of combat, soldiers transporting weapons, soldiers demonstrating and displaying weapons, civilian casualties, destruction of cities, rebuilding of cities, armored vehicles and buildings around Manchuria. Images of soldiers could be from both Chinese and Japanese armies.
Series 1 consists of four glass negatives. The negatives feature images of soldiers in combat and are reproduced as lantern slides in the general collection.
Series 2 consists of map slides. Several slides depict maps of Jehol province dated to 1933. Maps of Jehol highlight areas of strategic importance for the Japanese invasion, routes of transportation, and combat maneuvers. Other maps in this series include larger maps of China, maps of Asia, maps of Eastern Hemisphere with the Eurasian continent highlighted and maps of areas of interest for the Japanese Empire.
Series 3 contains photographic slides relating to the Japanese invasion of Manchuria and other conflicts in the region during a similar time period. Images represented in these slides include pictures relating to all aspects of war and conflict. Many of the images document the damage inflicted on urban areas in China, including the destruction of entire cities. Civilians in these images go about their daily business amongst demolished buildings and rubble strewn streets. Several images document the Chinese and Japanese armies' use of weaponry and combat tactics. Weapons such as armored trains, first introduced in China during the Japanese invasion, cannon, mortar and machine guns are picture in use and for display purposes. Images of soldiers show them in active combat and occupying war camps. Lastly, graphic images of war casualties show bodies burned and assembled in large piles and mass graves.
Series 4 contains photographic slides of Manchuria and other areas. Photographs in this series depict urban areas of China, featuring scenes of residents and soldiers populating city streets and public squares. Images in this series also highlight historically and culturally significant architecture showing both Western and Chinese style buildings. Also included in this series are images of battleships and other large ships at sea and a major port.
Arranged into four series.
Series Series 1: Negatives, 1920s-1930s (Box 1) Series 2: Maps, 1920s-1930s (Box 1) Series 3: War Photographs, 1920s-1930s (Boxes 1-2) Series 4: General Photographs, 1920s-1930s (Box 2)The Special Collections Research Center also holds other collections of lantern slides.
Series 1 contains glass negatives featuring images from the Japanese invasion of Manchuria.
Glass negative of soldiers firing a machine gun.
Glass negative of soldiers fighting from behind a barricade.
Glass negative of a street destroyed by combat.
Glass negative of two soldiers standing on a destroyed street.
Series 2 contains several lantern slides of maps including maps of China, Asia, and the Eastern Hemisphere.
Map of the northern area of China around Jehol province.
Map of communist controlled China in 1932.
Map of former Jehol province with elevation.
Map of former Jehol province with tactical maneuvers.
Map of former Jehol province with tactical maneuvers.
Map of former Jehol province with tactical maneuvers.
Map of former Jehol province.
Map of former Jehol province with railroads.
Map of former Jehol province with strategically important passes through the Great Wall of China.
Map of areas of China invaded by Japan.
Map of central Asia including China, Mongolia, Korea, Tibet, India and Russia.
Map of Eurasia.
Caption reads "Japan's Mandate and its Setting".
Series 3 contains photographic slides featuring images from the Japanese invasion of Manchuria and other military conflicts.
Armored train stopped at a station. Two soldiers appear, one on the train and one on the platform.
Machine gun mounted on an armored train.
Long view of an armored train with soldiers aboard.
Aerial view of an armored train stopped at a station.
Close up view of guns mounted on an armored train.
Long view of an armored train stopped at a station.
Armored train with guns.
Armored train with two flags, the flag of the Republic of China, or "Five Races Under One Union" and one unidentified flag.
Two soldiers loading an infantry mortar.
Soldiers firing machine guns from trenches.
Soldiers in the field with cannon.
Soldiers marching and towing a cannon.
Two soldiers firing a cannon during combat.
Group of soldiers firing a cannon during combat.
Group of soldiers firing a cannon in the field during combat.
Several cannons being fired during combat.
Soldiers marching and towing cannon.
Several groups of soldiers firing large cannons during combat.
Soldiers in the field with a cannon.
Fengtien soldiers standing with 150mm Howitzer cannon.
Two soldiers loading a mortar.
Two soldiers loading a mortar in an army camp.
Two soldiers posing with mortar and shell in an army camp.
Several soldiers load a mortar in an army camp.
Soldiers in the field during combat with tanks.
Soldiers in the field during combat with tanks.
Soldiers fighting from behind a barricade.
Soldiers behind a barricade on a city street.
Soldiers in combat with machine guns.
Soldiers firing machine guns during combat.
Two soldiers posed with large binoculars.
Two soldiers engaged in combat on a street corner.
A group of soldiers on lookout, one perched on a large pole.
Japanese or Chinese cavalry marching in winter.
Japanese or Chinese cavalry marching in winter. Same image as 1-51 but with a different label.
Soldier with gun.
Western (possibly Russian) sailors on street with civilians.
Western (possibly Russian) standing in a shallow trench in the street with other military personnel and civilians.
View from the street of a destroyed building, possibly a house.
Aerial view of several blocks of destroyed buildings due to combat.
Completely demolished street, strewn with rubble and no intact buildings.
Street scene with civilians and military walking through a public square. The buildings in the square have been heavily damaged due to combat.
Aerial view of a large section of destroyed city.
Civilians weeding through rubble in a demolished street.
Demolished urban area with two large buildings intact in the background.
Demolished urban area with buildings in background.
Urban area destroyed by combat.
Damage due to combat in a large section of a city along a river. In the background is a harbor with battle ships.
Aerial view of damage due to combat of an urban area along a river.
Aerial view of damage due to combat of a large urban area along a river including several bridges.
Street scene with civilians walking amongst destroyed buildings.
Chinese style tower destroyed by a Japanese shell.
Aerial view of people walking through the streets of a demolished city. In the background a large building remains intact.
Street scene of civilians walking through a demolished street. A large round building and overhead tram cables remain intact.
Pile of smoldering rubble.
Civilians weeding through rubble in a demolished street. In front of them is a large damaged building.
Civilian standing on a street corner in front of a completely demolished building.
View of a demolished street. In the background a temple can be seen.
Civilians walking, riding bikes and driving down a street in front of a very large destroyed building.
View of rubble.
A soldier stands in front of destroyed buildings in full uniform with gun.
Destroyed Shanhaikwan pass through the Great Wall. Now modern day Shanhaiguan.
Image of burn victims/casualties of combat.
Image of burn victims/casualties of combat, arranged in a pile.
Soldiers or civilians carrying victims on a stretcher.
War casualties arranged in a pile.
Mass grave or pile of war casualties.
Series 4 contains photographs from Manchuria of general subject matter.
Portrait of Chang Tso-Hsiang, Chinese Commander in Chief.
Dock or harbor loaded with sandbags and other supplies.
Large ship docked at a harbor with personnel loading or unloading supplies.
Several battleships at sea, possibly during combat.
Western troops on a street corner with a horse cart.
Aerial view of the Great Wall of China.
Image of people standing, sitting, and walking in a public square. Could possibly be a market.
Large ship out at sea with several other ships surrounding it.
Several automobiles driving down a city street. Buildings on the street are undergoing reconstruction/renovation.
Aerial view of a walled city or palace on a hill.
Man displaying a mortar bomb/shell.
The Great Fortress of "Potala" in Chengteh. Possibly the Chengde Mountain Resort.
Image of a western style building with graveyard in front.
Image of a western style building on a residential street. Possibly a large house or small hotel.
Image of a western style building with a fountain in front of it. Possibly a hotel.
Large western style building in a busy city intersection.
Large western style building in a busy city intersection.
View of the front steps and gate of a building. A sign on the gate has wording in Chinese.
View of the front steps of a building, decorated with Chinese lion statues.