A public domain video
The Battle of China (1944) was the sixth film of Frank Capra's Why We Fight propaganda film series.

The movie opens on footage of the Japanese invasion of China. It then briefly introduces the history, geography, and people of China. It contrasts the peaceful development of the Republic of China under Sun Yat-sen against the militarized modernization of the Empire of Japan. Japan's invasions of China are explained with reference to the since-largely-discredited Tanaka Memorial:

"Here was their mad dream:
Phase One - the occupation of Manchuria for raw materials.
Phase Two - the absorption of China for manpower.
Phase Three - a triumphant sweep to the south to seize the riches of the Indies.
Phase Four - the eastward move to crush the United States."
It is claimed that Japan moved piece by piece in order to avoid external interference but accelerated its actions in response to China's growing unity and development under the Republic. Contrary to many modern timelines of the war, the film downplays Chinese resistance in Manchuria and presents the Marco Polo Bridge Incident as a largely peaceful and foregone conclusion. Instead, the Battle of Shanghai is presented as the beginning of real hostilities. The aerial bombardment which produced the "Bloody Saturday" photograph is called the first such attack on civilians in history. (Although the photograph itself is not used, the then-famous image is alluded to in footage of the child being carried across the ruins of the old Shanghai South Railway Station.) It then includes graphic footage of the aftermath of the Rape of Nanking, said to have been smuggled out of occupied China by a hospital worker. The narration calls the death toll unprecedented, although its figure of 40,000 is far lower than most modern estimates.

The Chinese communists are only mentioned obliquely through the film's repeated reference to China's division and factions. The Xi'an Incident is similarly omitted; instead, the country is said to have finally united in the face of the atrocities in Nanjing. The relocation of personnel and resources to Chongqing is covered. The attendant scorched-earth policy is given only oblique reference or the immolation of Changsha, although the Japanese bombing of Chongqing ("Chungking") is dwelt on. The expansion of the National Revolutionary Army is described, including footage of their drills and of a young girl training with a machine gun. The "Flying Tigers" are mentioned, along with their record of 20 kills for each lost plane, but as a supportive group of volunteers and without attempts to downplay China's own mobilization and efforts at self-defence.

Subscribe - never miss a video!
   / @20thcenturytimemachine  

The 20th Century Time Machine takes you back in time to the most important historical events of the past century. Watch documentaries, discussions and real footage of major events that shaped the world we live in today.
   • Video  

NASA’s Apollo 11 Original Mission Video of the Moon Landing as aired in 1969
   • NASA’s Apollo 11 Original Mission Vid...  

The Counterculture of the 1960s and the Youth Around the World
   • The Counterculture of the 1960s and t...  

Iran 'King of Kings' Mohammed Reza Pahlavi's Reign During the 1960s
   • Iran 'King of Kings' Mohammed Reza Pa...  

Remembering Vietnam: Twelve Critical Episodes in the Vietnam War
   • Remembering Vietnam: Twelve Critical ...  

The John Glenn Story (1962) - Academy Award Nominated Best Documentary Short.
   • The John Glenn Story (1962) -  Academ...  

The Coup that Overturned the Ngo Đình Diem Regime in Vietnam (1963)
   • The Coup that Overturned the Ngo Đình...  

The Battle of Russia (1943) - Nominated Film For Best Documentary
   • The Battle of Russia (1943) - Nominat...  

CIA'S Human Experiments With Mind Control: Project MK ULTRA
   • CIA'S Human Experiments With Mind Con...  

A Prophet in His Own Time: Ray Bradbury - Story of a Writer (1963)
   • A Prophet in His Own Time: Ray Bradbu...  

The Spanish Earth: Hemingway, Ivens, and the Spanish Civil War (1937 Poetic Documentary)
   • The Spanish Earth: Hemingway, Ivens, ...  

The American Response to Sputnik: The Launch of Explorer 1 - January 31, 1958.
   • The American Response to Sputnik: The...  

Listen to Britain: A Depiction of Life in England During WWII - Poetic Propaganda Film (1942)
   • Listen to Britain: A Depiction of Lif...  

A Tribute to John F. Kennedy: Years of Lightning Day of Drums (1964)
   • A Tribute to John F. Kennedy:  Years ...  

Apollo 16: High-Speeding Rover in "Lunar Grand Prix" - Nothing So Hidden (1972 documentary)
   • Apollo 16: High-Speeding Rover in "Lu...