JOVE23 Posted 22 April , 2018 Share Posted 22 April , 2018 Update on my end as well, I am still in search of Max's burial plat, though I have his Burial File! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Feledziak Posted 22 April , 2018 Author Share Posted 22 April , 2018 (edited) 18 hours ago, JOVE23 said: Update Greetings Jove. I don't know if you saw post 834 on this thread there is an interesting image from the German POW reports. It lists those taken prisoner on 5th October 1918 including the Sgt who wrote up the citation for Max. Walter SZULAKIEWIEZ index card dated 5th October 1918 Although the report wrongly lists the regiment as 112. when it should be 127 Martin I don't know how to link back to #834 in this thread but it is page 34. See this also https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/83659 and for Max https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/82994 Edited 22 April , 2018 by Martin Feledziak Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOVE23 Posted 23 April , 2018 Share Posted 23 April , 2018 I did see that! Shame that it didn't list the regiment that took him prisoner! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOVE23 Posted 6 May , 2018 Share Posted 6 May , 2018 I've had a thought (scary, I know)...seeing that Max's citation says he was defending his position to 'reduce the amount of men likely taken prisoner,' maybe he and Sgt. Walter (not even going to try to spell that last name) and some others were covering the retreat of the rest of the platoons that were driven out of that shell crater? There are several other bodies buried with Max, perhaps they too were killed in the same action? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Feledziak Posted 6 May , 2018 Author Share Posted 6 May , 2018 15 hours ago, JOVE23 said: defending his position Greetings Justin. I think that is exactly what happened. Those poor fellows were initially buried where they fell and later moved to the proper American cemetery at Romagne. The cemetery is an awesome place and very well looked after. If I had known about Max I would have visited his cross. I understand the regimental history for IR171 is due to be digitised and should be turning up on-line . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOVE23 Posted 6 May , 2018 Share Posted 6 May , 2018 I am hoping soon to find the map that shows where that original burial was. Wonderfully detailed work was done for our fallen doughboys immediately after the war. For example: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Feledziak Posted 9 May , 2018 Author Share Posted 9 May , 2018 On 5/6/2018 at 19:12, JOVE23 said: original burial Greetings Justin. I have gone back and read over some previous posts and I am fairly certain that the below image identifies the original burial plot for Max. The left section describes the location. IE - GRAVE LOCATION BLANK form. At location 04.3 - 82.4 Near Bois De Chene Sec using GROUPS DES CANVES DE TIR Map - ( Very Map- VERDUN ) June 1918 The right section is from that map and I have added the blue Co-Ordinates 04.3 - 82.4 I see that Max was from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. coincidentally I passed through Milwaukee last week aboard an AM-Track train on route to a cruise in Alaska. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOVE23 Posted 9 May , 2018 Share Posted 9 May , 2018 Yes, I have that location but I understand I can get it more precise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Feledziak Posted 20 May , 2018 Author Share Posted 20 May , 2018 (edited) According to 251 Divisions- The 115th Division were in Antwerp. They had been there since 18th April 1918. On 21st May 1918, the division were about to leave to Battle on the Marne. They would board trains and route via Brussels, Mons, Maubeuge, Le Cateau - Bohain and detrain North of St Quentin on 22nd May. Edited 13 June , 2018 by Martin Feledziak Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Feledziak Posted 21 May , 2018 Author Share Posted 21 May , 2018 (edited) The 37th Division was made up of elements of Infantry Regiments 147, 150 and 151. On 27th May 1918, The first day of the Aisne, the Division attacked near Presles and advanced via Braine as far as Troesnes Longpont Sector. It was releived by 115th Division on 4th June. Edited 21 May , 2018 by Martin Feledziak Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOVE23 Posted 23 May , 2018 Share Posted 23 May , 2018 such wonderful information, keep it coming! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Feledziak Posted 25 May , 2018 Author Share Posted 25 May , 2018 (edited) During late May 1918 the 115th Division would start a foot march, lasting 7 days from the Crepy area to Villers Helon. Edited 5 June , 2018 by Martin Feledziak Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Feledziak Posted 27 May , 2018 Author Share Posted 27 May , 2018 So from reading a thread started by "Black Dudley" I see that this movement is known as " The German Spring Offensive" which is where I have copied the overview map from. I have added the approximate location of IR171 on 3rd June 1918 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Feledziak Posted 5 June , 2018 Author Share Posted 5 June , 2018 (edited) Early June 1918 - The 115th Division were in the outskirts of LONGPONT and CORCY. The first image is from the regimental history of IR136 which shows RIR 40 in the woods to the North of IR136 and IR171 to the South. The second image is from the regimental history of IR171 with a purple X denoting company 10. The German advance comes to an end. I am sure that this is where Grandfather suffered some injury which necessitated evacuation to hospital in Nuremberg. I have a photograph of him and others in hospital surroundings dated 28th June 1918. Edited 6 June , 2018 by Martin Feledziak Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Feledziak Posted 20 June , 2018 Author Share Posted 20 June , 2018 (edited) The Regimental History "Das Infanterie Regiment NR. 171" has now appeared on line - thanks to WURTTEMBERGISCHE LANDESBIBLIOTHEK STUTTGART If only I could read German. Edited 20 June , 2018 by Martin Feledziak Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AliceF Posted 20 June , 2018 Share Posted 20 June , 2018 That’s great! If you have any particular pages you want me to look at, just let me know. Maybe I can help. Christine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Feledziak Posted 20 June , 2018 Author Share Posted 20 June , 2018 (edited) 5 hours ago, AliceF said: Maybe I can help. Hi Christine, It is amazing that this history is now on-line after 100 years of the passage of time, I have always said that the Internet is a wonderful resource, obviously everything is not always truthful but at least we can make our own judgement on whatever is displayed. I am sure I will need help and I am certain there will be times when I will ask you. I already asked Jan (AOK4) if he could have a look through his printed version for anything relating to Kompany 10 during early June. He saw nothing obvious. Martin http://dfg-viewer.de/show/?tx_dlf =276&tx_dlf[id]=http%3A%2F%2Fdigital.wlb-stuttgart.de%2Fmets%2Furn%3Anbn%3Ade%3Absz%3A24-digibib-bsz5000196575%2Furn%3Anbn%3Ade%3Absz%3A24-digibib-bsz5000196575.xml&tx_dlf[double]=0&cHash=b57bce1f926b81b2f4e7b83bd82a2eb6 Edited 20 June , 2018 by Martin Feledziak Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Feledziak Posted 20 June , 2018 Author Share Posted 20 June , 2018 (edited) This report was published on 5th July 1918. It indicates that he was lightly wounded. It is most probable that this was as a result of battle in and around LONGPONT. I have viewed the Roll of Honour for company 10 IR 171 and seen concentrations of reports for 3rd and 4th June and 13th and 22nd JUNE, so he could have been injured at any time. The Division was not relieved until 19th July. His hospital picture was postmarked 28th June. http://des.genealogy.net/search/show/8516777 Edited 20 June , 2018 by Martin Feledziak Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Feledziak Posted 21 June , 2018 Author Share Posted 21 June , 2018 Here is Skizzie 21. I have overlaid the image onto current Google Earth satellite imagery. Given that the book was printed in 1927 the scale and accuracy is a perfect fit. The railway line is the main feature running from North to South and IR171 Battalion III is between the Railway and the road which runs from Longpont to Corcy. I imagine that they just took cover in the woods as this would have been a battle or battles of movement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWK Posted 21 June , 2018 Share Posted 21 June , 2018 On 20/06/2018 at 16:00, Martin Feledziak said: This report was published on 5th July 1918. It indicates that he was lightly wounded. It is most probable that this was as a result of battle in and around LONGPONT. I have viewed the Roll of Honour for company 10 IR 171 and seen concentrations of reports for 3rd and 4th June and 13th and 22nd JUNE, so he could have been injured at any time. The Division was not relieved until 19th July. His hospital picture was postmarked 28th June. http://des.genealogy.net/search/show/8516777 Check the "gefallen" entries on that same Verlustliste with the Volksbund Graebersuche. Gives you an approximate indication (and nothing more!) of when the report he was wounded arrived at the War Office. In this case/list it's a wide indication: found "gefallen" soldiers from 20th of May upto 15th of June on a quick search...... But then he could, in principle, have been wounded weeks before, and the report to the War Office got delayed. Also, he could have been wounded by a fluke shot. Karl Steigleder died from one on a misty morning, no battle in sight whatsoever, just "happily" digging new trenches.... "Wounded circa early June 1918 in the area of ...." would be a description I'm happy with. Unless some decisive information comes along. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Feledziak Posted 21 June , 2018 Author Share Posted 21 June , 2018 5 minutes ago, JWK said: "Wounded circa early June 1918 in the area of Absolutely agree... And this type of research is like trying to knit with fog. BUT it is a fascinating history hunt. I am glad someone is reading my ramblings. I am not even sure who IR171 were up against during early June 1918. I assume the French. Today using my friend "Google translate" I have seen mention of their opponents being "87 Franz division" and they had tanks. ( no idea who they could be ) I wonder who had control of the railway line. ALSO His 1919 studio portrait alludes to the award of an Iron Cross 2 - so where did he get that from ? It is possible that it was just costume posing. In 1917 the Division were in Romania and he would have been aged 20.. So if he was to get a medal then the Longpont action would be the most probable. All supposition I know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWK Posted 21 June , 2018 Share Posted 21 June , 2018 The 87e divison d'infanterie Francaise They were in Villers-Cotterrêts between 31st May and 12th of July 1918, which takes them perilously close to Longpont.... The French Wikipedia page says that their commander, Géneral Arlabosse was struck down with a brain hemorrhage on 2nd of June. "From June 3rd, occupation of an area north of Longpont and the farm of Vertefeuille, moved left, June 12, to the farm Chavigny and Saint-Pierre-Aigle: June 12 and 13, violent fights" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Feledziak Posted 21 June , 2018 Author Share Posted 21 June , 2018 (edited) WOW... Great Jan. Well done, I did some searching today but found nothing, I am sure you are correct. This all fits. According to the IR171 history - the "87 Franz Division" were an experienced Unit. I bet they had a detachment of those two man Renault Tanks. I think IR171 took some prisoners from that unit and this also was recorded in the 171 history. keep looking !! 87e division d'infanterie (France) Sauter à la navigationSauter à la recherche Pour les articles homonymes, voir 87e division. 87e Division d'Infanterie Création 5 avril 1917 Pays France Branche Armée de Terre Type Division d'Infanterie Rôle Infanterie Guerres Première Guerre mondiale Batailles 1917 - Bataille de la Malmaison1918 - 2e Bataille de la Marne modifier La 87e division d'infanterie est une division d'infanterie de l'armée de terre française qui a participé à la Première Guerre mondiale. Edited 21 June , 2018 by Martin Feledziak Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AOK4 Posted 22 June , 2018 Share Posted 22 June , 2018 6 hours ago, Martin Feledziak said: Absolutely agree... And this type of research is like trying to knit with fog. BUT it is a fascinating history hunt. I am glad someone is reading my ramblings. I am not even sure who IR171 were up against during early June 1918. I assume the French. Today using my friend "Google translate" I have seen mention of their opponents being "87 Franz division" and they had tanks. ( no idea who they could be ) I wonder who had control of the railway line. ALSO His 1919 studio portrait alludes to the award of an Iron Cross 2 - so where did he get that from ? It is possible that it was just costume posing. In 1917 the Division were in Romania and he would have been aged 20.. So if he was to get a medal then the Longpont action would be the most probable. All supposition I know. The French war diaries are digitised and can be found on the Memoire des Hommes website (when and if it works). A lot Iron Crosses (both 2nd and 1st Class) were handed out only after the war and some by the soldiers' councils. F.i. Erich Remarque also claimed an IC1 awarded to him by a soldiers' council. I don't know whether and how these were ever official... There didn't always have to be a good reason to receive an IC2 and it wasn't necessarily awarded only vor bravery. There were batches assigned to units every now and then and the commanders could pick to whom they gave them. Jan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Feledziak Posted 22 June , 2018 Author Share Posted 22 June , 2018 (edited) 4 hours ago, AOK4 said: Memoire des Hommes website Great Jan Thanks Jan, I also heard that sometime men were awarded for numerous injuries too. I will investigate what I can find. http://www.memoiredeshommes.sga.defense.gouv.fr/en/article.php?larub=78&titre=world-war-i Edited 22 June , 2018 by Martin Feledziak Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now