4thGordons Posted 24 December , 2023 Author Share Posted 24 December , 2023 Thank you very much all - amazing level of detail 6 hours ago, Glenn J said: Nice photo. That will be a field piece of a 5th battery of a field artillery regiment. The officers for the most part are of the staff of the 9th Army in late 1914. Next to the then General der Kavallerie von Mackensen is his chief of staff, Generalmajor Paul Grünert and the army Oberquartiermeister, Generalmajor Traugott von Sauberzweig. Also recognisable is the commanding general's adjutant, Rittmeister Kurt Krahmer, the hussar officer seated in the wagon with the death's head cap badge. Rittmeister Krahmer was promoted to Major on 28 November 1914 which would date the photo between von Mackensen's assumption of command of 9. Armee on 1 November and 28 November 1914. Regards Glenn @Glenn J - do you know where this transfer of command took place or where the 9th Army HQ was located? A Russian speaking friend suggested that the signage on the large building in the background refers to "Lenchipa" and he found a reference to this in 19th Century Russian works (referring to a location in Poland) but we have not been able to track down anything similar in modern names. Again - thanks all very much Chris (I have scanned a few more - below) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thGordons Posted 24 December , 2023 Author Share Posted 24 December , 2023 This looks like another leather driver's uniform - interesting picture presumably damage to a large tree caused by...a shell? The jacket appears to have collar insignia. a group armed with Mauser 98 carbines Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thGordons Posted 24 December , 2023 Author Share Posted 24 December , 2023 (edited) Some more naval related (I think there are some other Marine / Naval Art'y pictures) later also SMS Muenchen? Pre war Marine Artillery? Matrosen Division I? This (and many of the others actually) have a lot of writing on them) Chris Edited 24 December , 2023 by 4thGordons reorganize order Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROGSMILE Posted 24 December , 2023 Share Posted 24 December , 2023 23 minutes ago, 4thGordons said: Some more naval related (I think there are some other Marine / Naval Art'y pictures) later also SMS Muenchen? Pre war Marine Artillery? Matrosen Division I? This (and many of the others actually) have a lot of writing on them) Chris The SMS Muenchen fellow is a Petty Officer 1st Class I think. They are all superb photographs. I’m sure that @GreyC will be interested to see them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn J Posted 24 December , 2023 Share Posted 24 December , 2023 48 minutes ago, FROGSMILE said: The SMS Muenchen fellow is a Petty Officer 1st Class I think. They are all superb photographs. yes, the Kaiser's crown above the rate badge is always an indication of a naval NCO of Obermaats' rank (on the sailors' rig). Interestingly, Petty officers in the Kaisermarine were termed as a rank class as non-commissioned officers (Unteroffiziere) like their army colleagues. I have to agree, the quality of the images is indeed superb. Regards Glenn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROGSMILE Posted 24 December , 2023 Share Posted 24 December , 2023 21 minutes ago, Glenn J said: yes, the Kaiser's crown above the rate badge is always an indication of a naval NCO of Obermaats' rank (on the sailors' rig). Interestingly, Petty officers in the Kaisermarine were termed as a rank class as non-commissioned officers (Unteroffiziere) like their army colleagues. I have to agree, the quality of the images is indeed superb. Regards Glenn Thanks for the confirmation Glenn. I wonder if any of the marine artillerymen fought in battles like the Falklands, where there were terrible losses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thGordons Posted 24 December , 2023 Author Share Posted 24 December , 2023 As I mentioned quite a few of the remaining images are of artillery or related and although they mostly have men in the the uniforms do not look particularly special - although some of the pics are very nice: A sample Not sure what they are doing here: I fancy I see a few hungry looks here: some good detail on equipment piled on the cart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn J Posted 24 December , 2023 Share Posted 24 December , 2023 2 hours ago, 4thGordons said: do you know where this transfer of command took place or where the 9th Army HQ was located? A Russian speaking friend suggested that the signage on the large building in the background refers to "Lenchipa" and he found a reference to this in 19th Century Russian works (referring to a location in Poland) but we have not been able to track down anything similar in modern names. Chris, I am reading through the war diary of AOK 9 at the moment and will see what additional information I can find. I did note that Generalmajor Grünert arrived at AOK 9 on 5 November 1914. Looking at a situation map in the German official history, it shows AOK 9 in late November 1914 in the town (German spelling) of Lentschyza, which I would surmise is the same place. Today in Polish it is called Łęczyca and is about 40 kilometres NNW of Lodz. Ninth Army was of course at the time conducting operations in the battle of Lodz (16 November to 15 December 1914). It appears from the war diary that Lentschyza had fallen to the Germans on 15 November 1914. Regards Glenn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn J Posted 24 December , 2023 Share Posted 24 December , 2023 Afternote, this from the Russian official history showlng the same place ЛЕНЧИЧА, transliterated as LENČIČA. Regards Glenn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thGordons Posted 24 December , 2023 Author Share Posted 24 December , 2023 Superb stuff @Glenn J Thank you very much indeed. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie2 Posted 24 December , 2023 Share Posted 24 December , 2023 Kaiser Alexander Garde Grenadier Regiment Nr. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreyC Posted 25 December , 2023 Share Posted 25 December , 2023 (edited) On 24/12/2023 at 08:50, charlie2 said: if the facings and collar are black, which I think they are, Leib-Kürassier-Regiment Nr.1 Hi, I beg to differ. He does not wear a Prussian, but a Saxon cockade. First thought Saxon Gardereiter, but now I am inclined to say Saxon Karabinier. In some instances light blue comes across as white on the photographs of that time which would make it fit (hat top). With regards to the uniform with Gardelitzen that has been placed into Reichswehr-time early 1920.- Yes, but very early twenties, as the buttons still have crowns on them. GreyC Edited 25 December , 2023 by GreyC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thGordons Posted 25 December , 2023 Author Share Posted 25 December , 2023 3 hours ago, GreyC said: Hi, I beg to differ. He does not wear a Prussian, but a Saxon cockade. First thought Saxon Gardereiter, but now I am inclined to say Saxon Karabinier. In some instances light blue comes across as white on the photographs of that time which would make it fit (hat top). With regards to the uniform with Gardelitzen that has been placed into Reichswehr-time early 1920.- Yes, but very early twenties, as the buttons still have crowns on them. GreyC I went back to check this one to see if there was anything on the reverse that might be of assistance - there is nothing printed on the photo but there is some handwriting -- possibly a name although I am struggling to make it out. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thGordons Posted 25 December , 2023 Author Share Posted 25 December , 2023 few more scans Appear to be armed with KAR 88s Is the large spanner ("wrench") for setting fuzes? Very little to go on to identify these carpenters This one is really clear and sharp - nice variations in uniforms and equipment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreyC Posted 25 December , 2023 Share Posted 25 December , 2023 (edited) It won´t help much, as it is pre-war. Ernst Spitz. You can be assured that he is Saxon. GreyC Edited 25 December , 2023 by GreyC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thGordons Posted 25 December , 2023 Author Share Posted 25 December , 2023 Just now, GreyC said: It won´t help much, as it is pre-war. Ernst Spitz. You can be asured that he is Saxon. GreyC Thanks -- and Happy Holidays to you and yours! Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreyC Posted 25 December , 2023 Share Posted 25 December , 2023 The last photo with the Tschakos show members of one of the Seebataillone at Lockstedt-Lager training ground. GreyC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AOK4 Posted 25 December , 2023 Share Posted 25 December , 2023 11 minutes ago, GreyC said: It won´t help much, as it is pre-war. Ernst Spitz. You can be assured that he is Saxon. GreyC I think it's Ernst Opitz (Opitz is a Saxon family name according to the Verlustlisten, while Spitz isn't). What do you think? Jan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn J Posted 25 December , 2023 Share Posted 25 December , 2023 The cockade certainly appears Saxon. Given that the Saxon heavy cavalry did not wear a button fronted parade or service dress “Waffenrock” in peacetime, I am assuming that he is wearing the 1915 pattern “Friedensrock”? Regards Glenn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn J Posted 25 December , 2023 Share Posted 25 December , 2023 55 minutes ago, Glenn J said: I am assuming that he is wearing the 1915 pattern “Friedensrock”? Regards Glenn Afterthought; which would account for the white topped cap introduced for the 1915 peacetime uniform. Regards Glenn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kimberley John Lindsay Posted 26 December , 2023 Share Posted 26 December , 2023 Dear All, I thought it was 'Opitz', too...! Kindest regards, Kim. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreyC Posted 26 December , 2023 Share Posted 26 December , 2023 It probably is Opitz. I first thought it was a messily executed front S. GreyC 3 hours ago, Glenn J said: Afterthought; which would account for the white topped cap introduced for the 1915 peacetime uniform. Well done, Glenn! GreyC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thGordons Posted 28 December , 2023 Author Share Posted 28 December , 2023 Few more scans - as mentioned many appear linked to artillery; Repairing the recoil springs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROGSMILE Posted 28 December , 2023 Share Posted 28 December , 2023 (edited) The crisp clarity of many of these photographs is absolutely stunning. Men who lived over a century ago and yet looking like their image was taken today, albeit in black and white. A real testament to the photographers skill and highly evocative. Thank you for posting and sharing them, Chris. Edited 28 December , 2023 by FROGSMILE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trajan Posted 31 December , 2023 Share Posted 31 December , 2023 On 25/05/2023 at 01:54, GWF1967 said: What is that date?! Cleary not 1941, as those are ww1 iniforms, but I have never seen a '1' written that way, like a '4'! OR, as the card mentions a 70th birthday, is it an old post card resurrected and written in 1941? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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