American journalist's photos and writing rekindle China's wartime memories

According to Wu's son, Song Shenguang, the film Smedley shot had not been developed at the time due to wartime conditions. It wasn't until the 1980s that his mother saw the photographs for the first time.

Song told Xinhua that his mother had cherished the story behind one particular group portrait until she died in 2023.

The photo captures the smiling faces of children and soldiers. The children were part of a troupe that accompanied the army -- too young to fight in battle but essential in boosting morale with songs and messages. One of them was Wu, not yet 12 at that time.

But what stands out most is a boy at the center of the image, his head bowed. His name was Sheng Guohua. Once a street beggar, Sheng had pleaded to join the army and was assigned as Smedley's orderly during her visit.

Based on Wu's recount, after watching a performance by the troupe, Smedley had asked the children to pose for a photo and invited Sheng to join.