Rare Historical Collection of the Chinese Jewish Company. Shanghai. 1930s-1940s

Rare Historical Collection of the Chinese Jewish Company. Shanghai. 1930s-1940s
Rare Historical Collection of Original Photographs and Postcards of the Chinese Jewish Battalion, Shanghai. 1930s-1940s. Some 100 different items, in different sizes. Two rare membership certificates from the Hebrew Congregation in Zindow. A photocopy of the release certificate of a Jewish soldier. Rare collection of the soldier Paul Samsonovich who served in the Jewish Company of the Volunteer Soldiers SVC in Shanghai in the 1930s. The collection includes original photographs and rare documentation from the service of the soldier during close to nine years. The photographs include pictures of the soldier and his army friends, Shanghai during the War, sand bags, trenches, artillery, guns and bombing damage photographed by the soldier, in addition to Chinese postcards. The Jewish Company was active between the years 1932-1942, as part of the international force of volunteers in Shanghai (SVC). The Company was set-up following a meeting of the alumni of the Scouts with active members of the Beitar branch in Shanghai. In the year 1932, it was decided to integrate within the existing division of the international volunteer force organization. The Company’s flag was the Israeli flag and their pin combined the Star of David within it. They were the only official Jewish Company in the world which was active during these years. Those mobilized came from within the local Jewish community which was comprised of merchants such as Sassoon from Bombay, immigrants from the pogroms in Russia and later on also refugees from the War in Europe. The Company’s function was to protect the security of trade.During the Japanese bombings it acted on behalf of those affected, amongst them the Jews. On the arrival of Jewish refugees from Europe, the Company assisted them to settle down in Shanghai.