[Japan]

Victory on the March. A Pictorial Record of the War of Greater East Asia. [A Pictorial Record of the First Year of the War of Greater East Asia (cover title)]

[Osaka], Asahi Shimbun Publishing Company, December 1942.

Large quarto, 112 pages with numerous illustrations (mainly from photographs, with a number reproduced in colour from paintings).

Slightly overlapping flexible card a little rubbed and bumped at the extremities; some corners creased and a little curled; a very good copy.

A lavish propaganda production published in English by one of Japan's oldest newspapers (Asahi Shimbun: 'Morning Sun newspaper'). Presumably it was printed in large numbers, but it is clearly a very rare item these days. This copy carries the inkstamp of the (Australian) Department of External Affairs, dated 8 February 1944. The contents are instructive: captions on photographs in the section on prisoners of war include 'Engaged in land reclaiming projects in Japan, these prisoners are finding this much better for their health'; 'The sick are given full medical care and attention in the prisoners camps in Japan. Everything is done to assure their health'; and 'Solemn Christian burials are held for prisoners who have succumbed to illness with Japanese priests officiating in the rites'. Two pages are devoted to 'Bombs over Australia: The Wild Eagles of the Imperial Army and Navy - masters of the southern skies - have extended their winged action to the Australian mainland. Beginning with the bombing of Port Darwin, Australia's foremost naval base on the northern mainland on February 19'.

Item #114212

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