The USS Arizona (BB-39) burning after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, 7 December 1941. USS Arizona sunk at Pearl Harbor. The ship is resting on the harbor bottom. The supporting structure of the forward tripod mast has collapsed after the forward magazine exploded: photographer unknown; image by Cobatfor, 2 September 2011 (Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum / National Archives and Records Administration)
I saw the old god of war stand in a bog between chasm and rockface.
He smelled of free beer and carbolic and showed his testicles to adolescents, for he had been rejuvenated by several professors. In a hoarse wolfish voice he declared his love for everything young. Nearby stood a pregnant woman, trembling.
And without shame he talked on and presented himself as a great one for order. And he described how everywhere he put barns in order, by emptying them.
And as one throws crumbs to sparrows, he fed poor people with crusts of bread which he had taken away from poor people.
His voice was now loud, now soft, but always hoarse.
In a loud voice he spoke of great times to come, and in a soft voice he taught women how to cook crows and seagulls. Meanwhile his back was unquiet, and he kept looking round, as though afraid of being stabbed.
And every five minutes he assured his public that he would take up very little of their time.
Bertolt Brecht: The God of War (Der Kriegsgott), 1938, translated by Michael Hamburger, from Bertolt Brecht: Poems 1913-1956 (1976)
Defenses against Japanese bombing, Chungking. Offices of the National Army of Republic of China deploying air defense against Japanese bombers: photo by Carl Mydans, 20 February 1939 (Central Archive Press, People's Republic of China)
Defenses against Japanese bombing, Chungking. The National Army of Republic of China preparing a flak light: photo by Carl Mydans, February 1939 (Central Archive Press, People's Republic of China)
Japanese bombing Chungking, 1939. People sheltering in cave: photo by Carl Mydans, 20 February 1939 (Central Archive Press, People's Republic of China)
Casualties of a mass panic; during Japanese air raid, 4,000 people were trampled or suffocated to death trying to return to shelters. Chungking, China, 5 June 1941: photo by Carl Mydans (National Archives and Records Administration)
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