September 5-7, 2023 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/7/2023
Very nice World War I uniform, ephemera, and photo grouping attributed to Eugene Gitz. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on May 10, 1893, Gitz was the young age of 25 when America became involved with World War I. Like many young men in his generation, Gitz ended up entering the US Army and was assigned to Company M, 339th Infantry Regiment, of the US Army's North Russia Expeditionary Force, also known as the Polar Bear Expedition. The expedition consisted of a contingent of 5000 US Army troops. Originally intended for France, these units, which included the 339th Infantry Regiment, the First Battalion, 310th Engineers, and other ancillary units of the 85th Infantry Division, were trained and reoutfitted in England with Russian guns and then sent to North Russia. The 339th landed at Arkhangelsk on September 4, 1918 and were assigned under British command. The North Russia Expeditionary Force fought the Red Army in the surrounding region during September 1918-July 1919. Although a more overlooked portion of The Great War, North Russia proved to be a formidable theater. An October 1919 report listed casualties as "553: 109 killed in battle; 35 died of wounds; 81 from disease; 19 from accidents/other causes; 305 wounded and 4 POWS". Gitz is listed as a private in HQ Company, 340th Infantry (85th Division) as well as Company M, 339th Infantry Regiment on several transport records including one where he is listed aboard the USS Von Steuben on June 22, 1919. Gitz would return to civilian life after the war and passed away in 1976. The group consists of: wool tunic with "walking bear" 339th Infantry Regiment patch, discharge chevron, 2 gold overseas chevrons, "USNA" and 339th Infantry Company M collar discs, a WWI Victory Medal pinned to the chest with "Russia" and "Defensive Sector" bars. The jacket retains its original spec tag and is dated "SEPT 6, 1917". There is a 2" x 4" piece cut from the lining. Leather jerkin with 1918 contract date. The jerkin exhibits cracks and wear, especially around the shoulders and there is a wear-through spot on the reverse. Muskrat fur cap with officers "USNA" insignia pinned to the front, marked as a size 7-1/2". There is also a green knitted wool toque, a pair of wool puttees, a web belt with leather .45 holster dated 1917, bandage pouch with tin, 2 pocket .45 magazine pouch dated June 1919. The ephemera includes 2 copies of the "American Sentinel" newspaper printed in Archangel, Russia in 1919, both in poor condition, a copy of the "Here and There With the 31st" newspaper printed in Vladivostok in 1919, 26 photographs of US soldiers and Russian scenes, 2 pieces of Russian currency; 5 printed orders from the 339th Infantry and a photo copy of the book "M Company 339th Infantry in North Russia", "The Polar Bear Expedition" by James Carl Nelson", postcards, and 2 leather billfolds, 1 with orders. CONDITION: Uniform is very good plus with the exception of the hole in the liner and a moth nip in the discharge chevron, as well as a few other small moth nips. Victory Medal is slightly torn. Other uniform pieces exhibit typical wear as mentioned. Ephemera exhibits blemishes typical of old paper as mentioned. Overall very good. An interesting and uncommon group from an often overlooked theater of World War I.