City of Life and Death is a 2009 Chinese historical drama. During the Second Sino-Japanese War, Lu Jianxiong (Liu Ye), a Chinese officer, puts up a valiant but futile defense of the city of Nanking from invading Japanese troops. When the city falls, the Japanese occupiers go on a brutal killing spree, leading to thousands of deaths in what would later become infamously known as the Rape of Nanking.
The following weapons were used in the film City of Life and Death:
The Imperial Japanese soldiers, including Kadokawa Masao (Nakaizumi Hideo), use the Arisaka Type 38 in the battle and occupation of Nanking. True to life, all the rifles are fitted with the Model 30 bayonet.
A Ckm wz. 30 is mounted on a Nationalist Vickers Mark E Type B that ambushes a Japanese column during the battle after pretending to be out-of-commission. This suggests that the tank was a Polish model, for the wz.30 was indeed fitted as a coaxial machine gun on Polish armor.
Imperial Japanese soldiers use the Type 99 Light Machine Gun in the battle of Nanking and to massacre Chinese Prisoners of War. Note that this in anachronistic, as the Type 99 didn't enter service until 1939 and the Battle was fought in 1937. The Type 96 light machine gun would have been more accurate, but was probably difficult to acquire.
Late Nambu Type 14 - 8x22mm NambuError creating thumbnail: File missingLieutenant Ida Osamu (Kohata Ryu) takes cover with his Nambu Type 14. Note: This Type 14 is anachronistic as the larger trigger guard did not enter production until two years later in 1939.Error creating thumbnail: File missingOsamu with his Nambu. Note: This Type 14 is anachronistic as the larger trigger guard did not enter production until two years later in 1939.
Grenades
Type 67 Stick Grenade
The Type 67 stick grenade is used by Chinese Nationalists, including Lieutenant Lu Jianxiong (Liu Ye). They are common stand-ins for the German Model 24 Stielhandgranate.
