4.R.I.R.261 May 1917

[madgarry]

Does anyone know anything about 4.R.I.R.261 and where they were in May 1917, a distant relative by marriage served with them and died 29/5/1917, he was originally buried at Tournai South cemetery Belgium before being reburied at Vladslo. Aslso what does 4 RIR 261 stand for.

Regards Garry

[Jack Sheldon]

Garry. He served with 4th Company, 1st Battalion, Reserve Infantry Regiment No. 261. I am on the Somme and separated from my books at present, but will check to see if I have anything once I return home.

Jack

[madgarry]

Cheers Jack

[trajan]

They were with the 79th Reserve Division, and a summary account of that Division's activities is to be found at: - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/79th_Reserve_Division_(German_Empire)

I haven;t checked for any German sites, and Jack will probably have more for you, but that should keep you going in the meantime!

Trajan

[Jack Sheldon]

Yes Trajan

I should have made it clear. I have two versions of the regimental history and a bound collection of regimental association newsletters so, all being well I should be able to produce some facts for you.

Jack

[AOK4]

Hello,

I gave some info in the other thread, the regimental history is not very detailed unfortunately.

Jan

[madgarry]

Thanks guys

[Ken S.]

The regimental history shows a few killed with 4. Komp. on the 30th and 31st, don't see anything for the 29th.

[madgarry]

Ken he died in hospital had been shot and injured a few weeks before the 29th

[Jack Sheldon]

I take it you cannot be more specific as to time and place?

Jack

[madgarry]

He died 29 May 1917 in military hospital, about 2 weeks after being shot, thats the only info we have Jack, that came from the German Mormon magazine printed june 1917.

[AOK4]

Please check the thread about Friedrich Johann Kreile, the regimental history gives 9 April as date of death, probably as he was wounded then.

[Jack Sheldon]

If that is the case, he was hit during the fighting following the Canadian assault by its 4th Division on Hill 145, Vimy Ridge (where the Canadian memorial now stands). This was known to the Germans as Sector Fischer-Nord, commanded by Hauptmann Zickner based at KTK Island Fischer and it was defended, in the forward area, by 1st , 11th and 9th Companies, with 2nd Coy and 4th Coy , commanded by Lt Ketzlick, in support in the Potsdamer Riegel, high on the ridge. Immediately after the assault went in the supports were launched forward in a counter-attack, which enjoyed a certain amount of success. Thereafter the battle swung backwards and forwards. RIR 261 fought extremely well, holding its ground until the formations left and right had been pushed back and they were forced to withdraw after almost 48hours of continuous action. Ketzlick was killed during this fighting, as was one of his platoon commanders, Lt Lehmann. I have written extensively about this battle in my The German Army on Vimy Ridge 1914-1917 and also, together with Nigel Cave in the 'Battleground Europe' guidebook The Battle for Vimy Ridge 1917.

Jack

[madgarry]

Cheers Jack, AOK4, I think April 9th is when he was wounded as the volksbund and the mormon paper article state his date of death as 29 May 17, the regimental history writer may believe 9th April as they never heard about him after that date

[Ken S.]

The German casualty database appears to have three entries for him, the first being the list published April 21.

http://des.genealogy.net/eingabe-verlustlisten/search

[madgarry]

Very odd Ken as 22 -6-17 he was already dead

[roel22]

22-6-17 is not the day he died, but the day it was published (could be weeks/months later)

Roel

[madgarry]

Ok Roel,cheers