Vincennes Posted March 23, 2013 Share #1 Posted March 23, 2013 I bought a collection of about 140 WW1 snapshots at the flea market today. They were taken by someone in the 31st. Engineering Regiment in late 1918 and early 1919 while they were overseas in the AEF. It is a great collection as over 80% of the photos are identified either front or back. The scenes include tourist, camp views, YMCA canteen, lots of railroad, 5 shots of Pershing, POW's, individual soldiers, band, football team, prize fight, etc. They range in size from 4.5x6.75' (like this photo) to 2.5x1.75". I attach one photo here. On the back it says: "From left to right: Prisoners of War Escort, German Non-Coms. (2), Prisoners working on coal pile, U.S. Soldiers (Engineers & Firemen), 1 Southern Brunette Patrol." Under the tree on the right is a colored soldier which I assume is the "Southern Brunette Patrol". I'll post an enlargement of that part of the photo below. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vincennes Posted March 23, 2013 Author Share #2 Posted March 23, 2013 Here is an enlargement of the colored soldier. He even has a rifle on his shoulder. Is he French or US? Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P-40Warhawk Posted March 24, 2013 Share #3 Posted March 24, 2013 Great photo, looks like they have M1917s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvage Sailor Posted March 24, 2013 Share #4 Posted March 24, 2013 Very interesting headgear he's wearing. Also, the two engineers are wearing leather jerkins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RustyCanteen Posted March 24, 2013 Share #5 Posted March 24, 2013 Very interesting headgear he's wearing. That is the cold weather cap: http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/32680-wwii-cold-weather-head-gear/#entry246380 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvage Sailor Posted March 24, 2013 Share #6 Posted March 24, 2013 Thanks for the forum link! I knew it wasn't a forage or fatigue cap but I also knew I'd seen it before on USMF. Very nice to see a period photograph of it in use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solcarlus Posted March 24, 2013 Share #7 Posted March 24, 2013 Bonjour. Very interesting. More photos. solcarlus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vincennes Posted March 24, 2013 Author Share #8 Posted March 24, 2013 OK, Here are a couple more photos from the collection. The one of their mascot is self-explanatory. On the back of the other photo is written: "Yards, American Baldwins and shop.". Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solcarlus Posted March 25, 2013 Share #9 Posted March 25, 2013 Merci ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Windsor5200 Posted April 14, 2021 Share #10 Posted April 14, 2021 Fascinating photos, many thanks for posting them. My grandfather served in A company 31st Engineering in France from 1918-19. Name was Calvin Leahy... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vincennes Posted April 14, 2021 Author Share #11 Posted April 14, 2021 Windsor5200 I donated this collection of photos and information to the National WW1 Museum in Kansas City, MO recently. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Windsor5200 Posted April 14, 2021 Share #12 Posted April 14, 2021 Paul, thanks for your response and kudos to you for donating for posterity... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
postmanusnac Posted April 15, 2021 Share #13 Posted April 15, 2021 That’s awesome that you donated them.I picked up a small album many months ago that said Army and looked Army. Turned out it was a CCC camp in Wisc. I ended up donating to one of he museums in Wisc.Btw... fantastic pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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