world war I nerd Posted July 18, 2018 Share #1 Posted July 18, 2018 Obviously, this is a WW I era photo. However, I have no clue as to what the officer and enlisted men were doing when this photo was taken. It appears to be stateside Paperwork appears to be involved And all of the men look pretty happy about what is actually transpiring But what's going on … payday - weekend passes - other? Please chime in with your thoughts. Thanks for looking. World War I Nerd ... Here's an overall view. A close up of the officer, desk and the man at the front of the line will follow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
world war I nerd Posted July 18, 2018 Author Share #2 Posted July 18, 2018 Close up … What the heck are they doing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
67Rally Posted July 18, 2018 Share #3 Posted July 18, 2018 Pay day? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austin_Militaria Posted July 18, 2018 Share #4 Posted July 18, 2018 A weekend pass? I am pretty sure they were paid in cash back then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
world war I nerd Posted July 18, 2018 Author Share #5 Posted July 18, 2018 I too, noted the absence of cash in the photo, which sort of makes a weekend pass the obvious choice. However, that's a pretty big sheet of paper for a weekend pass, is it not? Maybe they're signing up to buy Liberty Bonds or something and they're just smiling for the camera? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12A54 Posted July 18, 2018 Share #6 Posted July 18, 2018 When I was a pay officer in 2nd ID, I had a loaded M1911 (and a Pay Guard and Driver, both armed with M16s). While paying my Soldiers, the .45 was placed on the table as they reported, saluting, for pay. Note the M1911 on the table. My guess is that this is pay day, several decades before I was doing it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m1ashooter Posted July 18, 2018 Share #7 Posted July 18, 2018 The 1911 looks like it doesn't have a magazine and I also see no money but it could be payday. Could it me mustering out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aznation Posted July 18, 2018 Share #8 Posted July 18, 2018 I'm thinking with a pistol on the desk, the soldiers were warned to salute, smile, grin for the camera, and sign their re-enlistment papers. Not serious of course... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hudson Posted July 18, 2018 Share #9 Posted July 18, 2018 Signing up for War Bonds? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodes Posted July 18, 2018 Share #10 Posted July 18, 2018 I was thinking posed picture, but there's another officer standing down the line....As if to help maintain some order.... Perhaps something to do with orientation for new recruits?....The guy standing and saluting is devoid of all insignia, so perhaps uniform newly issued?....Bodes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikie Posted July 18, 2018 Share #11 Posted July 18, 2018 Some kind of graduation or award certificate presentation? Mikie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
world war I nerd Posted July 18, 2018 Author Share #12 Posted July 18, 2018 We'll probably never know what they're doing, but it's fun playing the guessing game. Thanks to all for posting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USARV72 Posted July 18, 2018 Share #13 Posted July 18, 2018 First soldier is not wearing overcoat, no disc on collars, an officer? Also look closely at his collars, standing fall early???? Footwear black? May be pre war??????? Notice guys on stairs upper left, all looking, something pretty big?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodes Posted July 18, 2018 Share #14 Posted July 18, 2018 Pondering again, it could be a pay line....Perhaps the lack of money is due to the idea it hasn't yet arrived....Guys are standing around waiting, while meanwhile a guy with a camera shows and wants a photo.....The officer sitting uses a page of the pay roster to denote some type of paper work...Meanwhile he and the man saluting engage in exchanging humerous comments....Bodes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted July 18, 2018 Share #15 Posted July 18, 2018 First soldier is not wearing overcoat, no disc on collars, an officer? Also look closely at his collars, standing fall early???? Footwear black? May be pre war??????? Notice guys on stairs upper left, all looking, something pretty big?? Wool shirt collar rolled over uniform collar.See it a lot in period photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USARV72 Posted July 19, 2018 Share #16 Posted July 19, 2018 OK, didn't notice shirt collar. Has a watch in upper pocket? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
world war I nerd Posted July 20, 2018 Author Share #17 Posted July 20, 2018 For what it's worth, here's a real WW I era payday photo that I forgot I had. It looks like the paymaster arrived during shower-time! Note the absence of a sidearm on the officer. Maybe the stiff-standing guy directly behind the seater officer is an armed guard? Also, I don't see cash anywhere. Does anyone see any similarities between this photo and the image that kicked-off this thread? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikie Posted July 20, 2018 Share #18 Posted July 20, 2018 I wonder what the 4th guy standing in line is holding? I can't make it out at all. Mikie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
world war I nerd Posted July 20, 2018 Author Share #19 Posted July 20, 2018 Its a copy of the New "York Tribune" newspaper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Usa1918 Posted July 21, 2018 Share #20 Posted July 21, 2018 Looking at the size of the document, is the unit discharging soldiers after the armistice? Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugme Posted July 21, 2018 Share #21 Posted July 21, 2018 Looking at the size of the document, is the unit discharging soldiers after the armistice? Keith That would explain why everyone is smiling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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