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Post by rickthelibrarian on May 15, 2008 10:14:59 GMT -5
A gentleman on another forum passed this picture along to me. It shows a rifle squad of Company G of the 31st Infantry Regiment, which was stationed in the Philippines and later fought (and surrendered) on Bataan. This picture is relatively unusual in that it shows the soldiers equipped with M1s (although I have seen a couple taken during the fighting on Bataan.). The 31st probably received M1s, replacing their M1903s, in mid- to late-1941. I blew up the picture and the regimental crests on their hats are definitely those of the 31st. I tried to tell whether the M1s were Gas Trap or Gas Port varieties. I could tell at least a couple were Gas Port but were unable to see all of them. Possibly the soldiers standing and kneeling on the far left might have Gas Trap M1s. The original picture (on another website) was about 282K in size. I hesitated to reproduce the original picture because I know a number of you have dial-up ISPs. The 31st has always been under sort of a cloud - surrender on Bataan in 1942; much of the 31st was destroyed in the Chosin Resevoir fighting in 1950; even during it's service in Iraq, a squad was decimated in fighting over there. An interesting (and relatively rare) picture.  click for bigger |
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Post by legionnaire on May 15, 2008 13:02:27 GMT -5
Nice photo and thanks for sharing! I've had a discussion with another early war reenactor and he emphatically states from his research that only " 600 plus M1's" were sent to the Philippines. ( new correction of info from 400 to 600 plus) How could this be?  The 26th Cav. 's troop strength alone was 800 plus men and all were equiped with M1's. So I wonder what the real number of M1's reach the USAFFE troops with the 31st men being issued with it too. As all shipment to the Philippines stopped right after Pearl Harbor. We plan on asking ret. Col. John Olson PS historian in the PS reunion about the exact numbers of M1's sent to the P. I. Philip |
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victoree
History Buff
V for Vacate, Joe
Posts: 119
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Post by victoree on May 15, 2008 16:53:14 GMT -5
The common number that I read is more than that. As low as 5000, as high as 8000. The 31st had them. The 57th had them. The 26th had them. That is more than 400.
Thanks for sharing the photo.
Martin
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Post by rickthelibrarian on May 15, 2008 23:00:44 GMT -5
Adding to the 31st, 26th and 57th was the 45th. I'd like to know where the guy got his information. Not from a correct source. There were enough that there were even a few used by a provisional battalion made of of USAAF types.
I would agree - 5,000-8,000.
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Post by legionnaire on May 16, 2008 11:47:42 GMT -5
Hi Rick,
Will definetly ask this character where he got his info when I see him again. It just baffled me and I just shook my head when he claimed those figures!
Philip
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Post by VeeVee on May 16, 2008 12:45:14 GMT -5
That sergeant on the front right looks like the Gunny, R. Lee Ermey  |
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kalbs
History Buff
Hair is over rated
Posts: 100
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Post by kalbs on May 16, 2008 23:03:29 GMT -5
Very nice find indeed. Thanks for the great history too
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Post by oklahoma on Sept 21, 2008 12:38:41 GMT -5
since there are only nine (9) soldiers shown i wonder if this might be the company G rifle team/etc. A regular rifle squad wouldn't rate a SFC or Tech Sgt. Usually a Corporal or Buck Sgt at best. anyhow, getting to my main point.... my nephew's wife's grandfather served as a 19 year old in both company G and H of the old 31st infantry regmt, taken prisoner on corregidor (he was among the 100 or so members of the 31st who escaped bataan during the surrender and made it to the "rock" only to be taken prisoner a month later). he survived the POW camps at cabanatuan and billibid and was liberated in 1945. he passed away before i had a chance to know him. of course his daughter, son and granddaughter were told very little about his wartime experiences. isnt that the way it always is????so much history goes down the toilet because maybe he wasnt asked any questions. you can bet if i had been around i would have quized him if he was willing to talk. i have gone over all his old letters, the red cross card sent from his POW camp saying he was in good health (whatever that might mean to the japs) and his 214 file, but that stuff doesnt reveal any "nitty gritty". anyhow, i will certainly show his daugher and granddaughter this photo. he just might be one of these troops, maybe the dark, youngest looking one next to the sergeant. could be him. who knows? that guy has to have relatives somewhere back in the states. maybe in oklahoma. |
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Post by legionnaire on Sept 21, 2008 16:03:18 GMT -5
HI OK,
Please let us know if it is your nephew's wife's grandfather. That would be amazing if it was so.
One thing though American troops stationed in the PI would posiible be heavily sunburned or tanned with daily outdoor drills and field manuvers due to the scorching Philippines sun.
Philip
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Post by VeeVee on Sept 21, 2008 20:54:04 GMT -5
Hi okla,
How are you? Welcome to the forum. Wouldn't that be a coincidence if he turns out to be your nephew's wife's grandfather. Do let us know. -victor
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