1937 Japanese Field Commander's Map of the Battle of Shanghai, China

An enormous map of great historical importance, this is a large format c. 1937 Japanese field commander's map of the greater Shanghai area with original manuscript annotations relating to troop losses, movement, and strategy during the Battle of Shanghai, Second Sino-Japanese War (1937 – 1945). In August 1937, the Japanese army invaded Shanghai where they met strong resistance and suffered heavy casualties. The battle was bloody as both sides faced attrition in urban hand-to-hand combat. Some of this is recorded via extensive manuscript annotation in the upper quadrants following Japanese troop movements as they pressed inland towards Nanjing. The manuscript annotations make repeated reference to activity on September 7th, although we have been able to pinpoint to specific events associated with that date during the Battle of Shanghai.

The map covers most of the area now part of the sprawling modern Shanghai metropolitan region from Chang Gou to the Dong'an Road, and from Puto to Pudong. The map appears to have been issued by the Japanese and is highly detailed, with canals, hamlets, and many individual buildings noted. The map has no title. All text in Chinese.