Vintage 1943 Pacific Island Survival Guide Book
Up for sale is an authentic, original piece of historic Pacific theater ephemera published on April 15, 1943. This pocket-sized field booklet (officially designated as TM 10-420) was distributed to regional personnel to teach vital survival tactics and help distinguish edible vegetation from toxic island life.
Exceptional Frontline Unit Provenance:
Unlike standard plain copies or modern reproductions, this specific copy features extraordinary, dual frontline combat unit markers on the front cover:
- A crisp, authentic Military Message Center clock stamp from the legendary 132nd Infantry Regiment, timed and dated June 29, 1943 while the unit was stationed in Fiji re-tooling for deep island jungle operations.
- An original soldier's handwritten pencil inscription in the top left corner reading Hq 1st Cannon Co, linking this exact piece directly to the headquarters of the unit's heavy support artillery company.
Product Details:
- Illustrations: Profusely illustrated with detailed, full-page black-and-white botanical drawings of regional plant species, roots, fruits, and trees to assist personnel in the field.
- Cross-Over Value: Highly sought after by collectors of historic field gear, communications ephemera, and ethnobotany history.
Condition Notes:
This historic booklet has genuine age character. The covers display typical shelf wear, handling smudges, minor edge nicks, and the historic infantry stampings. The binding is secure, and the interior pages remain complete, flat, fully legible, and beautifully toned from age. Free of modern liquid damage or massive text tears.