Real Photo Postcard (RPPC) depicting six soldiers (probably the Nicaraguan National Guard) holding the heads of three decapitated bandits
Matagalpa, Nicaragua: Self published 1930. First Edition. Real photo postcard, 5 1/2 x 3 3/8 inches. "Herman Gustavson" penciled below with an x next to one soldier. Boldly inked on back: "Three 'good' bandits and the guys who got 'em Matagalpa, Nic. Aug. 3, 1930" Good tonality. Small creases at the corners. Near Fine. postcard. [27198]
The United States occupied Nicaragua from 1909 to 1933 and created the National Guard (better known as Guardia Nacional or la Guardia). US Marines were at least partly under the command of Chesty Puller whose wikipedia page notes he was awarded his first Navy Cross for his actions from February 16 to August 19, 1930, when he led "five successive engagements against superior numbers of armed bandit forces." We can only surmise that this gruesome postcard is one of the results of the last campaign.
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