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Not sure if this has been posted. Doing research on my wife's uncle who was KIA in WW2, 4-28-44, New Guinea. Came across some great photos--this one has great detail. US Army soldier landing Aitape, N.G., 4-22-44. 163d Regimental Combat Team, 41st Inf. Div.
Wife's uncle was a staff sergeant with the 163d. He was KIA 6 days later when he and about 40 guys from Company K were surrounded by 200 Japanese at the village of Kamti.
Nice picture, the 2nd carbine from the front may be a I cut, but can't see enough. It is a Hi-wood stock though. Notice how his wedding ring seems to jump out at you?
Thx for sharing a great picture.
But a sad story. We Bless and Honor these that served.
Charlie-Painter777
I found a little about Kamti. Thickess jungle one could imagine with a maze of muddy trails and barely any ammo or food. Supplies delayed because of congestion and conditions.
If you haven't already, it might be worth reading more about the Jungleers on their Web site these links are from.
Was the Uncles name Bren?
163 Infantry Regiment K and L Companies Jungleer 1978 Jul p14-16
163 Infantry Regiment 3rd Battalion Jungleer 1995 Aug p18-20
Battle Casualties
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...1/2aitap-1.jpg
HTH,
Charlie-Painter777
Charlie,
I copied and zoomed in. If you take the width of the buttplate and compare it to the top part of the sling cut that shows I'd say O cut. I would think an I cut would be wider.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...nnnhg2jo-1.jpg
Kneeling man appears to have two first aid pouches, the M1910 and the later one that was called the jungle first aid kit, that went on to be the standard kit...I still have one around here somewhere...
Agreed JimF,Quote:
Originally Posted by JimF4M1s
Interesting stories reading about these guys. Had me up late reading about them.
CH-P777
Great picture. Apart from the carbines, it is not often you see three M3s in one photograph.
M3s...?Quote:
Originally Posted by Barryeye
Saw that too, guessing his finger hit the wrong key.
No error gentleman. I was referring to the M3 knife. That is the knife that the later Carbine M4 bayonet is based on and a particular favourite of mine.
Well, we know what that is and that was my first thought...but still only see one in the first pic?Quote:
Originally Posted by Barryeye
Enlarging the picture I see one on each of the first three guys. Since we were talking about the carbine I wrongly thought he meant an M3 carbine not an M3 trench knife.
Three pictured, that leaves 2,590,244 others made during that time to find. :yikes:
Thank you gentlemen for your response/ observations. Yes, Charlie Painter 777. My wife's uncle is S. Sgt. Frank Bren and the family seems to know little about him. While researching via the internet, I "found" & purchased "FROM POPLAR TO PAPUA" by Martin Kidston and it has several pages dedicated to the action at Kamti, and Bren is mentioned several times. I also ordered (not received yet) "WITH THE 41ST DIV. IN THE SW PACIFIC..." by Frank Catanzaro. Fascinating history.
Bren was an "old soldier" when he was KIA at 31 yrs old. My father-in law had his flag & medals, and I am trying to find out what happened to them. I am in the process of compiling a notebook with all the maps, pictures, etc that I can find. Thank you Painter 777 for the information that you posted...it is priceless.
I found a map that shows the location of Kamti (straight south of Aitape) and the airstrips were at Tadji.
Enlarging the picture I see one on each of the first three guys. Since we were talking about the carbine I wronly thight me meant an M3 carbine not an M3 trench knife.
Three pictured, that leaves 2,590,244 others made during that time to find.
I can understand your confusion, Jim. I apologise, but as first aid pouches had already been mentioned I felt it okay to go slightly off topic. As a fan of the M1 Carbine, M4 bayonet, and the M3 knife I find it very interesting to see any of them in the same picture. To see three is a bonus.
Yes, I see them now.Quote:
Originally Posted by Barryeye
Unfortunately that happens more than enough here. Not a capital crime I'm told...just happens...Quote:
Originally Posted by Barryeye
Try researching the Jungleers Web Site. Might be a chance of finding a still living member who knew him. Or a deceased member who may have wrote about him to a family member, that may contact you.Quote:
Originally Posted by Boonie Stomper
Could you keep us 'in the know' with any new found information you may come across.
When time allows, I'll snoop around some more.
To Those That Served !
Charlie-Painter777