Raynors HCA 2016-10
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/21/2016
Sixty-two photographs, most 4 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches. Contemporary leatherette covers, string-tied to black album pages. Some edge wear to album. A few photos edgeworn, but overall the photos are in very nice condition. An astonishing, at times gut-wrenching, collection of photographs featuring the experiences of American military personnel in the wake of the Guadalcanal Campaign during World War II. The Guadalcanal Campaign, or the Battle of Guadalcanal, was an extended military campaign comprising several battles fought between August 1942 and February 1943. It was the first major offensive by Allied forces against Japan, and resulted in a valuable strategic victory for the Allies in the Pacific Theater. There are numerous photos of wounded subjects in this album, with eight grisly photos showing dead human casualties in various horrific conditions, likely all of the enemy, and including not one, but two photos featuring American soldiers posed with severed heads. In one, an African-American soldier smiles calmly while holding the maimed and severed head of a Japanese combatant. There are several action shots of the American soldiers in battle, with two photographs showing explosions, one shot of troops storming a beach, and one presumably showing a sinking submarine. The album also includes photos of downed aircraft and other after- effects of recent battle, including at least one shot of a destroyed Japanese transport ship, the Kinugawa Maru, which was attacked and sunk by American Marines just offshore of Guadalcanal on Nov. 15, 1942. In addition, there are several shots of native islanders, scenes of the American troops at mealtime and at prayer, troops on the march, and more. Two photographs contain images of morale-boosting signs posted on Guadalcanal and intended to encourage the American troops. One reads "KILL THE BASTARDS! Down this road marched one of the regiments of the United States Army...Twenty of their wounded in litters were bayoneted, shot and clubbed by the yellow bellies. KILL THE BASTARDS!" Another sign features a quote by Admiral Halsey, reading, "Admiral Halsey says 'Kill japs, kill japs, kill more japs!' You will help kill the yellow bastards if...YOU DO YOUR JOB WELL." The album concludes with several vernacular photographs of the soldier who owned this album, presumably taken after his return from the war. In one photo of three soldiers, the compiler identifies each subject, writing in pen "ME," "RICHY," and "WEB." He also poses with other soldiers, family members, and friends. The album was likely compiled from photographic prints available to soldiers just after the war, and mounted in the album by the soldier himself, or was perhaps prepared for, and dispersed to, American military personnel by the armed forces. In any case, it is a stunning photographic record of the stark realities of war in the Pacific Theatre during World War II.
Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).
Click above for larger image.