The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-08-23
COMP ARE MARINES
 TO LECIONNAIRES
Battles at Isolated Out posts Mark Histories of
 Both Forces Abroad

Comparison of the U. S. Marines with the romantic Foreign Legion of France, perhaps the worlds mott glamorous body of fighting men, has often been made( accord ing to Major s. N. Erskine, of the Marine Corps. Major Erskine be- lieves that when 1t come to fighting against odds in some isolated out pot the comparison is not over- drawn.
 Several years of service have made Major Erskine well qualified to point out the adventurous life of Uncle Sam's soldiers of the sea to young men who make inquiries about the Marine Corps at the Federal Building, Washington and Christopher Sts., New York city.
 we are proud to be compared with that foreign fighting force," says Major Erskine, which has added some of the most brilliant chapters to the military history of France. The Legion's clashes with Arabs and Berber tribesmen in re- mote parts of northern Africa re- mind me of actions fought by marines under somewhat similar circumstances.
 "Of course the comparison ends there, as their terms of enlistment, pay and personnel are in no way similar to ours. Tn addition, they have no sea duties. Perhfaps the most marked difference lies in the fact that citizens of many nations comprise their forces, while all of our men are American citizens.
 Many persons forget that when the World War was over the mar ines dd not lay aside their rifles for an indefinite period. In subsequent years they have had some lively clashes with bandits in Nicaragua. and often have lived under warlike conditions in China, ven though they have had no armed conflicts with troops in that country.
 "Out of numerous encounters with rebel forces in Nicaragua, the fight at Ocottal in. July, 1927, prob- babiy had the most spectacular features.
 "The marines had penetrated deep into bandit trritory, and thir- ty-eight of them with their leader. Captain c. D. Hatfield, occupied this lonely outpost along with sev- erhl loyal native troops. During the night bandit force stealthily entered the village and launched an attack.
 "From inside an adobe building, the defenders, far outnumbered by the rebel force, fought off attack after attack and maintained a defnse for more than tiftten hours.
 "Once, under a flag ftruce, the bandit leader demanded a surren- der, pointing out that the defenders water supply was nearly exhausted. Tlfe marine leader replied that wa- ter, or no water, his men would never surrender.
 "Fortunately two aviators on patrol duty discovered their com- rades plight and flew back to the base at Manhgua, 120 miles away, to muster a force of bombing planes.
 Shortly after the fighting planes reached Octtal the rebels were quickly scattered. Fifty of the enemy were killed during the entire en- gagement, while the marine losses wera light. Only one man was killed, although several wer e wounded.
 Dramatic episodes like this have led to comparisons between the U. $. Marine and Foreign Legion. On numerous occasions both military bodies have fought with their backs to the wall and they have never been known to surrender, no mat ter what the odds were against them"