TAZORII Posted 5 November , 2006 Share Posted 5 November , 2006 Dear All, this might not be the correct place to put this picture.Please let me know if it should pe place in another part of the Forum if needed. I was wondering if somebody could help to identify this picture. I picked it up at a Brocante in France and have never seen it before in any book I have read. Could somebody tell me their unit and possible the place the picture was taken? Thanks for your help Graham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralph J. Whitehead Posted 5 November , 2006 Share Posted 5 November , 2006 Graham, Based upon the quality of the photo I doubt you will be able to identify the unit or time period. Given the steel helmet and uniforms it could be anytime from late 1916 through the end of the war. As a guess, considering the grassy location it does not look like a set trench so it could have been taken during the 1918 offensive when much of the fighting was done in the open. Perhaps other members can supply more details. Ralph Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob lembke Posted 5 November , 2006 Share Posted 5 November , 2006 Graham; Ralph is quite correct. There are two further possibilities. 1) Is the actual photo you have much sharper than the pic as posted? Perhaps you can read something on the shoulderboards, etc. of the guy with the billed cap. With a sharper image, and/or with someone knowing more about uniforms and insignia than I am, you might possibly find a uniform designation, or at least his rank. If he is a private (I don't think so) the pic is not taken near the front, as privates had that cap but could not wear it near the front. The very fact that it is being worn suggests that this was not a combat situation; there was no protection, and additionally it would mark the man as an officer or a NCO, drawing more fire. 2) Is there anything on the back? I really mean "anything". Almost anything could be a good clue. If it is a mailed PC, and especially if from or to a Prussian unit (They had more demanding postal regulations than other German armies, like the Bavarians), there could be a wealth of info. But even cryptic marks or PC maker's marks could be a clue. Bob Lembke Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAZORII Posted 5 November , 2006 Author Share Posted 5 November , 2006 Dear Ralph & Bob, Thank you for your help. Everything you mention is very clear. Unfortunatly the photo is a reproduction and there is no markings on the back. However, it is alot more sharper than on the post board but not enought to read any markings. I was just curious as I have had it quite a while and never ever got the chance to ask somebody about it. Thanks for your help & hope that the query shall be solved soon :-) Regards Graham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoplophile Posted 6 November , 2006 Share Posted 6 November , 2006 A lot of the photos that purport to show German troops in "combat" in the second half of World War I were actually taken in the course of training exercises that were held well behind the lines. This photo seems to fall into this category. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob lembke Posted 6 November , 2006 Share Posted 6 November , 2006 I completely agreee with Bruce. As a detail, notice the broad straps and fittings that at least one man is wearing, for pulling and carrying the MG to a different position. The standard MG 08 was an excellent MG, but weighed 140 pounds, with its heavy sled, I understand. Bob Lembke Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asdarley Posted 6 November , 2006 Share Posted 6 November , 2006 The chap kneeling to the right of the officer is possibly holding a signal flag? If so this would perhaps confirm manouvres rather than action. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralph J. Whitehead Posted 6 November , 2006 Share Posted 6 November , 2006 Manouvres or training are probably good choices, note that while the ammo box is apparently in the right position the gun is not loaded with a belt as it would have been in a combat situation. Ralph Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asdarley Posted 6 November , 2006 Share Posted 6 November , 2006 Back with a suggestion...would one of the WW1 German Infantry re enactment groups know more? There are certainly a couple of quite dedicated groups in the US. They may have the knowledge! (present company excepted of course!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian turner Posted 8 November , 2006 Share Posted 8 November , 2006 The three uppermost soldiers look as though they would have been in great risk of being sniped? I guess a training pic as well. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAZORII Posted 10 November , 2006 Author Share Posted 10 November , 2006 Dear All, I thank you all for the interest. I was wondering if the Germans migh know. If they did hoe does one go about finding out? Is there a German type of Forum somebody can suggest? Thanks for your help everybody. Hope that tomorrow shell be remember by all!! Great stuff Graham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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