Marine with Thompson on Soochow Creek 1937

[kanemono]

Here is a Marine with a Thompson with a leather sling. Soochow Creek 1937.

Dick

[03clyde]

My first impression that it was the actor Lee Marvin standing there.

[Bridgeport28A1]

Thanks for posting the picture.

[Bob]

Cool picture, not a very pleasant area as it was a stinking mosquito infested area. My old man spent time in China prior to 1940.

 

In July 1937, Chinese and Japanese forces clashed at the Marco Polo Bridge outside Pekin. Fighting spread south to Shanghai and then throughout China. The Sino-Japanese war commenced on August 13, 1937 when a force of more than 10,000 Japanese troops invaded the Chinese Peace Preservation Corps area.

Marines were once again deployed along Soochow Creek to prevent the conflict from spilling over into the International Settlement. The 4th Marines in Shanghai were reinforced by two companies from the Philippines. The 6th Marine regiment was quickly shipped out from San Diego, By the end of September 1937, USMC strength totaled over 2500 officers and men. Eventually the Japanese prevailed and occupied Shanghai. In February 1938, the 6th Marines departed leaving the 4th Marines to continue as protectors of American interests in Shanghai.