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The Photographic Work of Arthur Rothstein in China: Signal Corps, the Great Famine, the Jewish Refugees in Shanghai

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Many children of Jewish refugees were born in China. All of these children knew how to speak German and English, but few learned Chinese. (Arthur Rothstein)

The Photographic Work of Arthur Rothstein in China

Arthur Rothstein (July 17, 1915 – November 11, 1985) was an American prominent photojournalist.

The topics of Arthur Rothstein ranged from social issues, daily life, politics, sport to war scenarios, informing and entertaining millions of readers in the United States.

Arthur Rothstein
Arthur Rothstein

In 1940 Arthur Rothstein joined the US Army as a photographer in the Signal Corps. 

Related articles: the Great Famine of 1942 in China, 24 rare images of The Flying Tigers,  35 old great images of American and Chinese soldiers fighting side by side, images of Shanghai 1947-1949, on the eve of the communist liberation

His military assignment took Arthur to Asia. After his discharge from the military in 1945, he remained in China working as chief photographer for the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration.

He documented the survivors of the Holocaust in the Hongkew ghetto of Shanghai and the Great Famine.

Jews from Europe immigrated to Shanghai in the late 1930s and early 1940s escaping from Nazi Germany. Shanghai did not have restrictions on immigration, and some Chinese diplomats such as Ho Feng Shan issued “protective” passports.

Photographs with the Signal Corps

The Photographic Work of Arthur Rothstein in China
Mother with two young children in sleeping area of dwelling in the Kiangsu Province or Yunnan Province in China (Arthur Rothstein )
The Photographic Work of Arthur Rothstein in China
A boat on a river with rolling hills in the background in the Kiangsu Province or Yunnan Province in China
The Photographic Work of Arthur Rothstein in China
View from above of provincial troops marching along city street in the Kiangsu Province or Yunnan Province in China
The Photographic Work of Arthur Rothstein in China
Smiling young school children running out the entrance of a school building in the Kiangsu Province or Yunnan Province in China
The Photographic Work of Arthur Rothstein in China
Aerial view of terraced fields and roadway with a military vehicle in a mountainous region of the Kiangsu Province or Yunnan Province in China
Boy with chicken, Hungjao, China
Boy with chicken, Hungjao, China
The Photographic Work of Arthur Rothstein in China
A victim of the famine. (Arthur Rothstein )
Famine Victim, Henyang, China
Famine Victim, Henyang, China
Distribution of rice during time of famine in the Kiangsu Province or Yunnan Province in China
Distribution of rice during time of famine in the Kiangsu Province or Yunnan Province in China

The Hongkew Ghetto through the Lens of Arthur Rothstein, Shanghai

Arthur Rothstein pictured with a Rolleiflex Camera. After the Second World War, Arthur Rothstein worked with the UN Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA).
Arthur Rothstein pictured with a Rolleiflex Camera. After the Second World War, Arthur Rothstein worked with the UN Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA). (Arthur Rothstein )
refugees are looking through lists for relatives and friends who may have survived the Holocaust
refugees are looking through lists for relatives and friends who may have survived the Holocaust.
A communal home operated by international relief agencies for Jewish refugees in Shanghai. Conditions were often cramped, disease-ridden and dirty. (Arthur Rothstein )
A communal home operated by international relief agencies for Jewish refugees in Shanghai. Conditions were often cramped, disease-ridden and dirty.
The courtyard between buildings served as a community laundry and kitchen for refugee families. Although conditions were challenging, traditional German and Austrian dishes were prepared over improvised stoves using surplus U.S. Army field rations. (Arthur Rothstein )
The courtyard between buildings served as a community laundry and kitchen for refugee families. Although conditions were challenging, traditional German and Austrian dishes were prepared over improvised stoves using surplus U.S. Army field rations.
Refugees read a proclamation ordering them to evacuate their homes. Even after the war ended, they struggled to maintain a dignified existence. (Arthur Rothstein)
Refugees read a proclamation ordering them to evacuate their homes. Even after the war ended, they struggled to maintain a dignified existence. 
Many children of Jewish refugees were born in China. All of these children knew how to speak German and English, but few learned Chinese. (Arthur Rothstein)
Many children of Jewish refugees were born in China. All of these children knew how to speak German and English, but few learned Chinese.

Source: American Library of Congress, Wikipedia, International Center of Photography, cbc.ca

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