Blackie250 Posted 10 January , 2005 Share Posted 10 January , 2005 Can anybody tell me where I would be most likely to find information for german units opposite the 4th Middlesex during the period of june 10-18 1916. Also does anybody know if the german equvilant of the battalion war diarys existed and if any survived WW2?. Has anyone got any contact with german researchers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkristof Posted 10 January , 2005 Share Posted 10 January , 2005 if you contact the conservator of the Passchendeale 1917 memorial museum at zonnebeke he possibly can help you. He has a lot of WW1 german diarys. go to www.passchendeale.be and mail him Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralph J. Whitehead Posted 10 January , 2005 Share Posted 10 January , 2005 The best way to find out further information from the forum would be to provide additional information. While you covered the dates and the British unit you failed to mention what part of the line they were holding at that time. This is critical in allowing the German researchers, most of whom have little information on British unit locations (speaking for myself of course) and would provide greater incentive in locating the information. In regard to the availability of battalion diaries, some do exist but many have been destroyed. There is also the use of regimental histories, these were often written when the diaries were available. So, just where was the 4th Middlesex at this time? Ralph Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackie250 Posted 10 January , 2005 Author Share Posted 10 January , 2005 Didn't think of adding that in ralph , 4th middlesex were on the somme at Fricourt at the time in the trenches near the tambour. cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralph J. Whitehead Posted 11 January , 2005 Share Posted 11 January , 2005 Good news, bad news. The battalion and regimental diaries were probably destroyed in WWII as the regiment you are looking for is a Prussian unit, actually a Baden unit but all the same in the German archives, massive air raids took care of the documents. That is the bad news, the good news is that the regiment you are looking at would be the 111th Reserve Infanterie Regiment. The regimental history does exist for this unit. Just what information are you looking for? Ralph Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AOK4 Posted 11 January , 2005 Share Posted 11 January , 2005 Good news, bad news. The battalion and regimental diaries were probably destroyed in WWII as the regiment you are looking for is a Prussian unit, actually a Baden unit but all the same in the German archives, massive air raids took care of the documents. That is the bad news, the good news is that the regiment you are looking at would be the 111th Reserve Infanterie Regiment. The regimental history does exist for this unit. Just what information are you looking for? Ralph Hello Ralph, I must correct you: all Baden war diaries are preserved and are to be found in the Generallandesarchiv in Karlsruhe... Regards, Jan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackie250 Posted 11 January , 2005 Author Share Posted 11 January , 2005 Ok Ralph, what I have is a court of inquiry into the death of an officer of the 4th Middlesex, let me just outline the circumstances. Night of 14th June a British patrol goes out into into no mans land in the region of the Tambour, patrol is spotted and fired upon, one member is captured and has his webbing and rifle taken from him before he manages to overpower one of his escorts and make an escape, officer is killed when the remainder of the patrol run into german patrol in no mans land whilst looking for missing patrol member. Basically wondering if the German diary's may mention incidents of june 14th/15th or any mention is made of any intelligence gathered from the kit taken from the O/R or from the Officers body?. I know it's a very long shot and don't expect much success but thought I would give it a try. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralph J. Whitehead Posted 11 January , 2005 Share Posted 11 January , 2005 Ralph Hello Ralph, I must correct you: all Baden war diaries are preserved and are to be found in the Generallandesarchiv in Karlsruhe... Regards, Jan Hello Jan, As usual, quite correct. I had forgotten that these were preserved as it has been some time since I have looked into these units, thanks for correcting this information. As to the question regarding the regimental records I will see if I have anything onthe information you are referring to. I will get back to you shortly. Ralph Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralph J. Whitehead Posted 11 January , 2005 Share Posted 11 January , 2005 I did check the regimental history and the closest event mentioned is one taking place on 11 June when a body of an NCO from the 'Royal Irish Infantry' was taken, reported to be the leader of the patrol. If this was recorded in the regimental history there is a good chance there is additional details in the actual battalion/regimental diaries held in Karlsruhe (Thank you Jan). It might be possible to obtain copies if you contact the archives and explain your interest. Good luck in your search. Ralph Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AOK4 Posted 12 January , 2005 Share Posted 12 January , 2005 Hello Ralph, I doubt it... You need to know which Company or Battalion was involved and then they would have to check if there is something mentionned either in the war diary, a battle report or daily report... They're quite understaffed (as in all military archves in Germany) otherwise it might be quite costly... Regards, Jan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kerry Posted 13 January , 2005 Share Posted 13 January , 2005 Ralph and Jan, how would I find out who was facing british units in the Zwarteleen Salient on 5/6/7 May 1915 and then who would I contact in Germany regarding regimental records? Ralph, I'm sure you once told me the name of the units concerned but for the life of me I can't find the data anywhere, having moved house and changed computers in the last 12 months. Thanks Kerry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AOK4 Posted 13 January , 2005 Share Posted 13 January , 2005 Hello, The regiments concerned are IR 105 and IR 143. Regards, Jan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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