Translation of this cigarette case?

[bldrhouse]

I know only that is WWII.......

Thanks,

Zigy K

 

[Mikawa Ossan]

My best shot is that even though it looks a little different, it says 近衛歩兵第四聯隊 which translates to "4th Guards Infantry Regiment"

近衛歩兵第4連隊 - Wikipedia

ja.wikipedia.org

ETA: Yep, I'm sure of it now. The first kanji was throwing me off, because it's not a common way to write that one. It's the 篆書体 version of 近

漢字「近」の部首・画数・読み方・筆順・意味など

近は、ちかい / ちかづくなどの意味いみを持もつ漢字かんじです。部首は辵部に属し、画数は７画、習う学年は小学校２年生、漢字検定の級は９級です。読み方には、キン / コン / ちか（い）などがあります。

kanji.jitenon.jp

 

[bldrhouse]

Thank you so very much!

I'm confused by the layout of the Kanji.
If this is read from right to left, why is 四 the second from the right in the engraving and yet the third here? 近衛歩兵第四聯隊

I obviously don't read Japanese, but try to lay out the Kanji in my documentation as they are printed on the item or piece of ephemera.

Thanks again..

z

 

[Mikawa Ossan]

The reason is that the eight kanji are split into two groups.
近衛歩兵 and 第四聯隊
Does that make it easier?

 

[Mikawa Ossan]

By the way, I'm writing left to right, even though the original is written right to left.

 

[bldrhouse]

Thanks! Realized the above and so reorganized the kanji to fit the composition of the case.

Again, thanks for your good and generous assistance.

zigy