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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

German officer photo


damien7

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Hi Pals

I bought this photo way back in 1997 in a local antique shop, told at the time he was a Prussian officer.

Any German experts out the able to verify or tell me anything from this chaps uniform?

Thanks

Damien

post-23-1106385636.jpg

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Hello Damien,

I am far from being a uniform specialist so i am leaving that part to several other members who have much more knowledge on this point.

However, the photo was taken in Köln (Cologne) and this would mean that the regiment portrayed would probably belong to the VII Army Corps District, Münster (Westphalia).

This would make it a Prussian unit most likely. The units that list Köln as a home depot would include part of the 16th I.R., 13th R.I.R., 15th and 16th R.I.R., 7th Foot Artillery Regiment, 7th and 9th Reserve Foot Artillery Regiments, 16th Landwehr Regiment, 27th Brigade Ersatz battalion.

Hopefully the actual regiment can be identified.

Ralph

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Hi Ralph

Thanks for the info & your expert knowledge, very interesting.

Damien

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I cannot really make out the emblem on his right sleeve but it does look like a marksman badge.

Ralph

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Damien

Interesting photo -the soldier is a senior NCO wearing the dunkleblau or pre-war dress as opposed to wartime field grey.

The lanyard suspended between his shoulder and tunic front is a marksmanship lanyard, awarded in several grades (denoted by the "acorns" visible on the button end) to reward individual skill at arms. Like Ralph, I'm struggling with the arm badge although I don't think it's a Kaiser Prize -an award worn by all members of a unit who had reached a certain level of collective marksmanship. To me it looks more like the Fahnentrager armbadge worn by the NCO who would carry the regimental colours on parade.

All the best

Paul.

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Now that you mention it Paul, it does look like the Fahnentrager armbadge. Any chance of a better view of it?

Ralph

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Hi pals

Thanks again for the info.

Close up scan of his armbadge attached, sorry its not to clear ( best my scanner can do)

Damien

Yes Tintin1689 its a RIC helmet, not mine unfortunately...

post-23-1106462963.jpg

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Great work Hinrich,

I note that IR 53 is also in the VII Army Corps District, Münster (Westphalia) and that a portion of the regiment lists Köln (Cologne) as a home depot, for the 1st Ersatz Battalion I believe so it all fits perfectly.

Ralph

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Guest Chip Minx

All,

The crown on the shoulder strap coupled with the Köln photographer identifies this NCO as being from the 53.I.R. as Hinrich says.

Chip

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