John Rabe is a 2009 German-Chinese-French movie directed by Florian Gallenberger. When the imperial Japanese army invades China in 1937 and proceeds with unimaginable brutality against the civilian population of the then capital, Nanking, John Rabe responded to it. Together with a small group of international businessmen, doctors, and missionaries remaining in the city, he sets up a civilian protection zone under great personal danger, in which 250,000 people survive what will later be included in the history books as the Nanking Massacre.
The following weapons were used in the film John Rabe:
Handguns
Nambu Type 14
Two Japanese officers can be seen using Nambu Type 14 pistols which are Late models with larger trigger guards that enter production two years later in 1939.
Nambu Type 14 (late) - 8x22mm Nambu
An angry officer points his Nambu at Dr. Wilson (
Steve Buscemi) to shut him up.
"
You wanna shoot me? Go Ahead!"
Another (or possibly the same that used in the other scene) Nambu eyed by Langshu's little brother lies on a table that offers a view of the cocking piece and grip.
Langshu's little brother in control of this pistol.
Hanyang C96
What appears to be a Hanyang C96 pistol is used by a Chinese officer.
Hanyang C96 - 7.63x25mm Mauser
The officer seen behind the sandbags on the right takes aim.
He fires at incoming Japanese soldiers.
Rifles
Arisaka Type 38
The Arisaka Type 38 is the standard rifle for Imperial Japanese Army soldiers.
Arisaka Type 38 - 6.5x50mm Arisaka
Japanese soldiers celebrate the capture of Nanking on December 13, 1937.
A closer view of the opened chamber and the bolt handle.
A line of soldiers with their rifles..
...taking aim at Chinese civilians and the emissaries.
Arisaka Type 38 rifle with Type 30 bayonet - 6.5x50mmSR Arisaka.
A soldier who prompts John Rabe (
Ulrich Tukur) to go on holds his Arisaka with fixed Type 30 bayonet.
Type 24 Zhongzheng
All Chinese soldiers are armed with Type Zhongzheng Rifles which are seen with straight and turned bolt handles.
Type 24 Zhongzheng - 7.92x57mm Mauser
Type 24 rifle with turned-down Kar98k style bolt handle - 7.92x57mm Mauser
Chinese soldiers in a truck with their rifles.
Chinese soldiers taking cover during an ambush.
A Chinese is gunned down holding his Type 24 with a turned bolt.
Soldiers fire at Japanese planes.
A close up of the muzzle.
Submachine Guns
M1 Thompson
U.S. Navy sailors of the USS Panay can be seen with anachronistic M1 Thompsons with drum magazines and muzzle brakes to resemble correct M1928A1 Thompsons.
M1 Thompson with 20-round magazine - .45 ACP
M1928A1 Thompson with 30-round magazine and early 'simplified' rear sight that would be adopted for the M1 Thompson - .45 ACP
The sailor in the background holds his Thompson. The muzzle brake is visible.
A closer view of a Thompson behind Dora Rabe (Dagmar Manzel). Note the position of the bolt actuator and the "L" style sight.
Machine Guns
Type 3
Two Type 3 heavy machine guns used by Japanese soldiers.
Type 3 Heavy Machine Gun - 6.5x50mm SR
The two HMGs on a truck mowing down Chinese PoWs.
Front view of the firing machine gun.
Type 11
A Type 11 light machine gun is seen in archival footage.
Type 11 Light Machine Gun - 6.5x50mm Arisaka
Type 24
A Type 24 Heavy Machine Gun is used by Chinese troops to defend Nanking.
Type 24 Heavy Machine Gun - 7.92x57mm Mauser
A close up of the muzzle disk.
Chinese getting the HMG in position.
Bren gun
Chinese soldiers can also be seen firing Bren guns.
Bren Gun - 7.92x57mm Mauser. This variant of the Bren was manufactured by Inglis in Canada and was supplied to the Chinese army during WWII.
Soldiers fire the Bren at Japanese Nakajima Ki-27 fighter planes.
A Chinese fires the Bren during the Battle of Nanking.
Other
Type 94 75 mm Mountain Gun
Japanese soldiers use several Type 94 75mm Mountain Guns.
Type 94 75 mm Mountain Gun - 75x294mmR
Japanese soldiers pushing the Mountain Gun.
The gun is deployed to fire at the barricade.
Type 97 Chi-Ha
Two Type 97 Chi-Ha medium tanks mockups can be seen.
A side view of the turret.
Another view of the front; the driver's hatch is on the wrong side.
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