WORLD WAR II: AMERICA'S FOREIGN LEGION: 31st INFANTRY REGIMENT GUIDON. A Blue and White 31st Inf...

WORLD WAR II: AMERICA'S FOREIGN LEGION: 31st INFANTRY REGIMENT GUIDON. A Blue and White 31st Infantry Regiment Guidon. [c. 1940-41] A world war II period woolen guidon, with blue ground, and central crossed swords, with 31 above and 2 to the right, and A below, the 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion, A Company, the white cotton swords and numbers carefully machine stitched to each face of the flag. 19.5 x 29 inches (500 x 740mm). A rare survival of a 31st Infantry regiment Guidon, in almost pristine condition, presumably somehow preserved in a store room for the duration of the WWII. The 31st Infantry Regiment has a long and proud history, often called 'America's Foreign Legion' as they were never based on home soil. The regiment was set up at Foot McKinley in Manila in 1916, to act as a defence force during American military occupation. The regiment transferred to Siberia from 1918, returning to Manila in 1920. Again in the summer of 1932 they were sent off to Shanghai in China. In December 1941, the Japanese invaded the Philippines, and the 31st covered the withdrawal of the forces to the Bataan Peninsula, but unfortunately there were no US naval forces to affect an evacuation due to the destruction of the fleet at Pearl harbor, and the loss of Guam and Wake Island bases to the enemy. The troops stuck it out on Bataan, but surrendered in April 1942, and were marched around on the Bataan Death March, and then put in captivity. Large numbers of the regiment suffered and died from 1941-45. A small guidon such as this might have been locked away in the regimental HQ in Manila, and therefore survived the war. It is however, a proud token of the heroic actions of their regiment. Lot to be sold without reserve. This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: ¤ ¤ Without reserve For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing