Upper Haversack (1942):
This earlier type of haversack with an actual lid flap was used throughout World War II and was extensively photographed in use by Marines, though it was replaced by a version where the “lid flap” simply folded over the body later at the very end of the war. This later version was used extensively after WW2 from the Korean through the Vietnam Wars.
Open:
Names:
This haversack is named to two Marines in the Third Raider Battalion’s HQ Company, Robert G. Felden [1] (stamped) and John E. Venter (hand-written). [2]
The Marine Raiders were an early WW2 concept for a commando formation that would perform reconnaissance and raids deep behind enemy lines using guerilla tactics. [3] They were a separate organization in the Marine Corps until February 1, 1944 [4] when their personnel were absorbed into existing conventional Marine units since guerilla tactics were less important in the end of the Pacific War as the Japanese retreated to increasingly fortified islands [5][6].
The 3rd Marine Raider Battalion was the only Marine Raider battalion raised and trained entirely overseas during WW2. [7] It was created on September 20, 1942 on Samoa and was involved in the Bougainville campaign, the last campaign involving the Marine Raiders in World War Two. Except for Company M, the entire 3rd Raider Battalion fought on Puruata island during the initial assault. Company M was attached to the Second Raider Battalion on Bougainville and was tasked with patrolling the Piva Trail to harass Japanese forces and interrupt their supply lines. [8]
Stamp:
1942 date.