Sturm der Garde Dixmuiden

[joerookery]

I am probably missing something very easy. But I need your help. This postcard is part of a series that was issued by a liquor maker. I kind of thought it was some artistic deal associated with the guard at St. Quentin, getting back to the days of the Garde in the Franco Prussian war. With all the discussion we have had on German tactics this one sort of threw me -- when was this event? What was this event? I understand that the artist took a lot of liberties with the event itself but I am trying to put this into the focus of when/where/ and the doctrinal application. This is probably covered in spades in Jack's new book and this had to be some sort of a race to the sea type event. But for some reason I cannot pin it down. Can someone help me with that -- and perhaps the location of the unit of the sender? Thank you very much in advance.

[Jack Sheldon]

Joe

Interesting one, this. It had me puzzled too at first, because the only clear cut Guards involvement at First Ypres was along the Menin Road/Polygon Wood/Nonnebossen 10/11 November. However, what I think is being referred to are actions by the regiments of 43rd Res Div; viz. RIRs 201, 202, 203 & 204, all of which were formed from the Guard Corps. RIR 204, for example, was made up as follows: Regimental Staff and 1st Bn from the Ersatzbataillon Foot Guards 1; 2nd Bn from the Ersatzbataillon Footguards 3 and 3rd Bn from the Ersatzbataillon Lehr-Infanterie-regiment. Officers and NCOs from Footguards 1 & 3 were posted in to 1st and 2nd Bns, whilst 3rd Bn was reinforced from the Fusilier Guards.

You are right, I do have a chapter on Diksmuide in the forthcoming book, but I do not refer to these regiments as 'Guards', though it was primarily the 43rd Res Div which carried the attack into the town of Diksmude itself from 21 October - 10 November 14. I think that the regimental colour may well be artistic licence, I do not think that any of the new regiments had them or carried them into action, though I have come across instances of it within XIX Corps regiments down near Ploegsteert. However, I will check through all the accounts again, in case I am mistaken.

Jack

[joerookery]

Thanks for that Jack! I understand your analysis and it just goes to prove that I wasn't going quite insane yet. I look very forward to your next book. I always always always learn so much from your handling of the subjects. I do hope that you have some data on XIX corps that you mentioned. I am trying to get a better handle on the doctrinal use or misuse of common sense. Fascinating stuff but this postcard threw me for a loop -- thank you for your help.

[joerookery]

Jack,

If I could give this dead horse a few more lashes -- I can see the battle flag which looks very Prussian -- is there any chance that this could be from another Litzen wearing group such as the 91st from Oldenburg? 115th from Hesse? I really don't know who participated here besides the Prussians. Can you help? Here is a picture of the 91st replacement guys that seems to be from about that time frame based on the patches for the helmet covers.