RIR 46 in April 1918

[Tony]

Hello,

Does anyone know the whereabouts of 1 Komp. RIR 46 in April 1918? If you don?t know the actual trench, the nearest town would be good.

Cheers

Tony

[Dave Danner]

Based on the divisional history, from 7 to 16 April, its division, the 119.Infanterie-Division, was in combat between Arras and Albert. From 17 to 18 April, it was in battle near Armenti?res. From 20 to 30 April, the division was in positional fighting in the Flanders and Artois region.

[Tony]

Thanks for the info Dave.

I've just checked the date of death; it was the 6th of April. I would think they were probably somewhere on the Somme or at least on the way there on the 6th.

Does the divisional history mention the 6th?

Thanks

Tony

[Dave Danner]

The 119th was in the Battle of the Somme, called the "Gro?e Schlacht in Frankreich" or the Kaiserschlacht in German records, from 21 March to 6 April.

[Chip]

This is a bit off subject, but an interesting tidbit. The 46.RIR was the only reserve regiment that I know of that unofficially added an "R" to their shoulder straps to differentiate themselves from the line regiment. Here are two M1915 examples. One has just had the "R" added, while the other was made with non-regulation hand stitching for both the 46 and the "R".

Chip

[Tony]

Thanks again Dave.

Very interesting Chip, that's the first time I've ever heard of that.

Tony