Chapter 6 of Frank Capra’s Why We Fight series examines Japan’s deep interest in dominating the diverse lands of China and the ensuing conflict that shaped the region. Determined to break the will of the Chinese people in a single, brutal act, Japan launched a devastating assault on Nanking, massacring an estimated 40,000 civilians. However, instead of subduing China, this atrocity galvanized the Chinese resistance, unifying the fragmented regions into a cohesive national identity.
Despite Japan’s control over all Chinese ports in an effort to choke off resources, China’s allies orchestrated a remarkable engineering feat. They built the 700-mile-long Burma Road through the rugged mountains of Myanmar, creating a vital supply line. A constant flow of trucks delivered food and matériel to the Chinese armies, ensuring their survival and ability to resist.
Frustrated by their inability to fully subdue China, Japan shifted its focus toward the Pacific islands and the United States, setting the stage for an expanded and even more destructive theater of war. This chapter highlights the resilience of the Chinese people and the ingenuity of their allies in defying Japanese aggression.
