1930s China through American eyes

The ruins of Chapei

On Thursday night, January 28, 1932, the Japanese Admiral Shiosawa began the systematic occupation of Chapei (Cha-pav), the Chinese suburban city lying north of the International Settlement in Shanghai. On the second day of the "war", fire from incendiary bombs gutted the Commercial Press and the Oriental Library whose ruins we see here. The library building burned for three days sending up into the air huge clouds of ashes and burnt paper. These were scattered for miles, littering the streets of the International Settlement and the French Concession. All about these buildings can be seen destroyed property. By the time hostilities had ceased not a building in all Chapei remained undamaged.

[Photo provided to China Daily/Keystone View Company]