SOLD OUT
GROUP PHOTOGRAPH OF 8th MACHINE GUN COMPANY, 5th REGIMENT MARINES,
DATZEROTH, GERMANY, APRIL 1919
A more interesting shot than many of the
Marine Corps company photographs to come out of Germany in the Spring of
1919, as this photo conveys some sense of the surrounding community, with
a view of village buildings and small corral, and a local family looking
on from a back porch. The Marines are wearing tunics and overseas caps
with web belts, a few holsters, first aid packs and ammo pouches.
Officers are wearing Sam Browne belts. A number of horses and mules are
visible in the back row. This company, as part of the 5th Regiment
[which at that time was attached to the 1st Division, A.E.F.], was part
of the first contingent of American soldiers to arrive in France in the
summer of 1917. In January of 1918, the 5th Marines joined the 6th
Marines and 6th Machine Gun Battalion in the Bourmont training area to
form the 4th Brigade of Marines. Together with the 3rd Brigade, U.S.A,
and other supporting units, they became part of the 2nd Division, A.E.F.
For a brief period, upon its arrival in France, the 8th M.G. Company was
commanded by Captain Holland M. ("Howling Mad") Smith, USMC who, in a
later war, would command the assaults on Tarawa, Saipan and Iwo Jima.
Price for one 8x10 glossy print:
$12.00
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