Nov. 13, 1938 AP photo and story shows Chinese boys preparing to defend against invading Japanese forces with “native black jacks” otherwise known as Two Sectional Staffs.
While not directly related to the Okinawan nunchaku as many believe, the two sectional staff is a commonly encountered weapon in traditional Chinese boxing styles.
The AP story tries to promote things in the best possible light hoping to get further popular support for the Chinese defenders but the fact that boys with makeshift weapons were facing a modern Japanese army shows the desperation of the situation.
One cannot help but wonder about the fate of these “boys” and others like them.