USMC Marines in Cuba 1917-1918 Original Photo Grouping-SCARCE!!

Description

A very scarce and amazing group of 50+ photos of the Marines in Cuba in 1917-1918. These are primarily personal one of a kind photos. The Marines name was Nickolas Clemens and he served with the 72nd Company, 7th Marines.
In 1917, Intelligence reports indicated the presence of German agnts in the sugar growing areas of Cuba. These agents gave support to rebel forces and encoraged them to sabatoge American-owned suagar plantations. The US Marine Corps subsequently deployed 8 companies of the 7th Marines to the Island. The 72nd Company arrived from San Diego on 20 Aug 1917.
Initially, there was an attempt to disguise the deployment as a training exercise. On 24 Aug 1917, the 72nd Compny deployed to Camaguey, Cuba and set up a camp as shown in the photos in this grouping. This was a rugged, mountainous area and was used by Fidel Castro some 40 years later as his staging ground for the revolution.
The 72nd Company, US Marines conducted wide ranging patrols and recon from this base. In Sept, Marine HQ authorized the use of 400-500 horses so that Marines would be able to quickly respond to emergencies on the widely scattered plantations. A by product was that the Marines were more visable in the countryside.
Photos in this grouping include:
1. The Marine camp with a Baseball field clearly laid out
2. Marines on patrol with and without horses
3. Marines in training
4. Marines in the jungle
5. Marines climbing coconut trees
Many other great photos.
This is a one and only grouping.
Please let me know if you have any questions.