Photos. 129th Inf. Reg. Espiritu Santo garrison duty

Good afternoon.

I am doing research for a book in which the 129th Inf. Reg. will be featured. Of particular interest is the period July - October 1943 while the Regiment was assigned to garrison duty on Espiritu Santo.

I am aware that the Air Force has a posted thousands of photos on Fold 3. But so far I have not found an online repository of Army photos for World War II. If you know of one, I would sure appreciate being advised.

I am also very interested in any memoires from the 129th Inf. Reg.

Any help is sincerely appreciated.

Robert

 

Most photos of the 129th that are online are going to be from Bougainville and Luzon. You can try the Wesley Slaymaker website. He served in Company M of the 129th. Also, there is a General Beightler audio visual collection that may interest you.

I'd be interested in knowing a more about the book you are writing, since I had a relative who fought with the 129th.

 

The WWII Database website has a few photos of Espiritu Santo. Nothing on the 129th though, so that probably won't help you much.

You could also try contacting Mandy at the 37th Infantry Division Association to see if they can be of any assistance.

 

Hi Everyone -

Have you found/read/acquired this report: "United States Army History of Espiritu Santo. S2 Office, 1945."

Thanks,

Robert

 

I'm not familiar with it. Where did you come across that reference?

 

I found this reference in a mega-report entitled "A Naval History of Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides, 1945." It was at the National Archives. The page that contained the reference is attached. I have made a serious search for this report, with zero success.

 

Thanks, Biak, for your comments above. I followed your recommendations re the HyperWar document (HyperWar: US Army in WWII: Triumph in the Philippines [Chapter 4]). In the footnotes of that document (No. 10) there is mentioned the 129th Inf Regtl Jnl, which I assume means the 129th Infantry Regimental Journal. I have not seen reference to that before.
It is a different document from the book "The 129th Infantry in World War II".
Does anyone know where that Journal might be located?
Any advise or guidance is very much appreciated.
Regards,
Robert

 

The Regimental history book "The 129th Infantry in World War II" was a post-War book written by officers of the 129th Infantry. It is not an official report, but uses official reports and personal knowledge of the officers.

A Regimental Journal is an official daily record of communications to and from the Regimental Headquarters. Unlike After Action Reports (AARs), Operations Reports, and Periodic Reports, it is not written in a narrative form. The format is more like a chronological line item listing of communications (radio, telephone, messenger, etc.). I've attached 2 of the 8 pages from the 129th Journal for 9 Jan 1945.



Regimental Journals are interesting documents. Each day can have anywhere from 3-4 pages to 20 pages or more depending on the circumstances. They can be difficult to read because there are often multiple threads of communications with various elements of the Regiment as well as the Division and other adjacent units all going on at the same time. However, because of this format, Journals can also give a sense of the chaos that goes on during a battle.

 

My thanks to TD-Tommy 776 for the clarification regarding the Regimental Journal.

I am also interested in a rescue that personnel from the 129th effected while on garrison duty at Espiritu Santo in September 1943. Would you have the Regimental Journal entries for Sept. 5 - 18, 1943?

And a note to all who are interested in the 129th IR. I am informed that the Army University Press Films is working on a documentary of the Philippine Campaign in which the 129th will figure prominently. I don't have a timeline yet, but I know they are working hard on the script now. I will post further information here as it comes available.

 

When I copied the Journals several years ago, the focus of my research was very narrow. My primary interest was in Bougainville and Luzon up through the Battle of Clark Field and Fort Stotsenburg. Consequently, I only copied the journals from those periods. I do intend to go back at some point, though when that will be is uncertain at this point.

I'm very interested in the AUPF documentary on the Philippines. Most of the books on the Philippines focus on Leyte. The Luzon campaign has received comparatively little attention. Please do keep us informed as to its progress.

 

Will do, TD-Tommy.

By the time I complete this current project, I will have amassed a pretty good bibliography and quite a lot of source material. Probably most of it you already have, but there may be an item or two that is new. I will share all with the Forum.