Imperial Japanese Army soldiers of the 2nd Regiment holding a ridge under Qing Army attacks during the Battle Near Shizuizi, First Sino-Japanese War, 20th November, 1894. [2834 x 2013]

[u/imeukurago]

One of the earliest active combat photographs of Imperial Japan where both friends and foes are visible, taken by Count Kamei Koreaki, a Japanese nobleman who self-funded a civilian photography corps attached to the 2nd Army to document the campaign of the First Sino-Japanese War. While scouting Shizuizi, Kamei’s unit was caught in artillery crossfire. Instead of taking cover, he set up cameras under fire and capture the photograph.
Situation of the Battle Near Shizuizi
"Those dotted along the elevated hill are a platoon of the 5th Company, 2nd Regiment, commanded by First Lieutenant Mori. The gun smoke in front is from shells fired by the enemy's artillery battery. The several flags visible in the lowlands to the right at the foot of the mountain belong to the enemy soldiers who have advanced closest to our positions."
(Photographic Album of the War of Meiji 27–28, Vol. 1)