Belleau Wood Photo ID?

[dutchbarge]

Hello, Does anyone know what the French regiment is that is pictured here with the 4th (Marine) Brigade. I can't make out the number on the French soldier's coats. Alternatively, does anyone know where I can find a higher resolution copy of this photo? Cheers, Bill

[David D]

I was always under the impression this was a 28th division MG unit?

[devildog34]

Likely 1st Battalion 356th French Infantry since this photo was taken June 2nd along the eastern edge of Bois de Clerembauts on the day that the 77th Company 6th Machine Gun Battalion engaged elements of the German 398th Infantry who advanced from east to west along the eastern outskirts of Bouresches and Belleau Wood. The 4 Marines seen from right to left in the photo are from the 77th Company and the other Marines were from the 96th Company. First Sgt. McNulty is the Marine on the right with the binoculars. The gunny to his right is GySgt. Fitzhugh Buchanan. I have the names of the other Marines in my files.

[dutchbarge]

Outstanding Devildog 34......that's what I thought......Historie 356 eme Regiment d'Infanterie puts them in the vicinity of Bouresches on that date. And I can almost make out the number 356 on one of the French overcoats. Looks like someone made an effort to obscure the numbers, perhaps a censor, on the photo. I have always wondered about the chevrons worn by the first and gunny sergeants. They seem to be summer chevrons (khaki field/FG chevrons). The colored photo seems to confirm this. Is Corporal Nicholas Marunchin (77th Co) one of the Marines in the photo? Thanks and a good Memorial Day, Bill

[devildog34]

The colorized photo does not reflect the true color, I have no doubt they are the Forest green on crimson colored chevrons since they are clearly wearing their forest greens. It was still fairly early and a lot of these guys very likely had forest green uniforms before they were completely worn out and replaced of course with the army ones. Marunchin was not among them.

[dutchbarge]

On the B & W photo attached the gunny seems to be wearing FG chevs on crimson backing, but the first seems to be wearing khaki chevs on FG backing. Cheers, Bill

[MAW]

Likely 1st Battalion 356th French Infantry since this photo was taken June 2nd along the eastern edge of Bois de Clerembauts on the day that the 77th Company 6th Machine Gun Battalion engaged elements of the German 398th Infantry who advanced from east to west along the eastern outskirts of Bouresches and Belleau Wood. The 4 Marines seen from right to left in the photo are from the 77th Company and the other Marines were from the 96th Company. First Sgt. McNulty is the Marine on the right with the binoculars. The gunny to his right is GySgt. Fitzhugh Buchanan. I have the names of the other Marines in my files.

 

I knew these were 6th MG Battalion, but I have never seen these individuals ID'd before.....that is interesting! What is the source of the identifications?

 

I would love to see your full caption for this classic photo.

[kb3znl]

Please forgive me if I'm wrong, but I believe the Sgt on the right with the binoculars is my maternal grandfather, Fitzhugh Buchanan. I have seen a caption once that did ID the Marine unit as being the 77th Company at Belleau Wood, but no names were listed. Agreeing with devildog34, does anyone know the source of the idents?

[devildog34]

Please forgive me if I'm wrong, but I believe the Sgt on the right with the binoculars is my maternal grandfather, Fitzhugh Buchanan. I have seen a caption once that did ID the Marine unit as being the 77th Company at Belleau Wood, but no names were listed. Agreeing with devildog34, does anyone know the source of the idents?

 

Hello how are you? I went off the caption I have and the rank based on the muster rolls. I sent you a private message if you check the mail icon at the top of the screen you will see it.

Semper Fi

Kevin