Nineteenth Route Army

Nineteenth Route Army in battle at Shanghai

This poster, titled “Map of the Bloody Battle of the Nineteenth Army against the Enemy in Shanghai,” is a piece of Chinese propaganda illustrating events from the 1932 Battle of Shanghai, also known as the January 28 Incident.

The poster uses fifteen detailed scenes to narrate the defense of the city against the invading Japanese forces. Among the highlighted elements are:

Military Leadership: In the upper left corner, Commander Cai Tingkai, leader of the 19th Rota Army, is depicted mounted on a horse.

Combat Actions: The illustrations show Chinese infantry in combat, the use of artillery, cavalry, and anti-aircraft defenses against Japanese aircraft.

Civilian and Humanitarian Impact: The poster includes scenes of bombing, the work of ambulances and medical teams, and the suffering of the local population.

Credit: The Claremont Colleges