Garand Picture of the day Marines - Samoa 1942

[Mark in Rochester]

Leathernecks get their first good look at a new base in the South Pacific from a Higgins boat. These Marines made the initial landing with full pack, rifles BAR's and other equipment essential to a landing party. Samoa Area - October 1942

Early in the Pacific theater the 7th Marines formed the nucleus of the newly created 3rd Marine Brigade and arrived to defend Samoa on May 8, 1942. Later they were redeployed from the Brigade and on September 4, 1942, they left Samoa and rejoined the 1st Division at Guadalcanal on September 18, 1942.

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[Mark in Rochester]

What do the photo analysts say?

[Dan Shapiro]

I would think that by the time the Marines finally went to the M1, they wouldn't have gotten any gas traps.

[RCS]

Here is a photo of an April 1940 gas trap

[BruceV]

Immediately to the left of the soldier whose helmet has some sort of netting material visible is a soldier wearing a helmet that does not appear to be of the same type as those worn by the other men. Is this just my error or is this some other type of US helmet that would have been issues/worn? Sincerely. Bruce.

[stonewall56]

He's wearing the old style tin hat worn until 1942.

[chriskat]

The tin hat is similar/identical to the British isn't it? Could that guy be a Brit? I also note that he appears to be carrying no gear, anything else different about him?

[Bill Hollinger]

Early on the Marines used the "Dough Boy" type helmet. I think that is a gas trap.

[Larry G.]

That's what I thought when I zoomed in.

[twobravo]

One also has a "DI" hat on his pack, Top left center.