Strange rank...

[Chris Boonzaier]

Here is a strange one indeed...

A document made out to "Kanonier unged. Ldst. Eugen Caspar der 8.(F)/Res.Felda.Rgt.5......"

Can it be "ungediente Landsturm" ? and would the (F) refer to the type of Gun used in the Arty Batterie? Feldartillery had field guns and light field howitzers, usually there is no mention in the award doc, but here they have an "F" and I can only think that it has to do with that....

[David Gregory]

Chris,

His rank was gunner and he had joined the army as an ungedienter Landsturmmann, meaning he had been assigned to the Landsturm, but had not actually served.

The (F) stands for "fahrende Batterie", as opposed to "reitende Batterie". The "fahrende" designation is far more common, with men travelling on limbers or wagons or marching with the unit.

"Reitende Batterien" had fewer guns, if I recall correctly, and were originally attached to mobile units such as cavalry. The gunners were all mounted and the unit was considered to be able to travel and relocate more quickly than the (F) types.

Cron has some details on pages 144 and 145.

Cheers,

David

Here is a strange one indeed...

A document made out to "Kanonier unged. Ldst. Eugen Caspar der 8.(F)/Res.Felda.Rgt.5......"

Can it be "ungediente Landsturm" ? and would the (F) refer to the type of Gun used in the Arty Batterie?  Feldartillery had field guns and light field howitzers, usually there is no mention in the award doc, but here they have an "F" and I can only think that it has to do with that....

←

Edited July 3, 2005 by David Gregory

[Chris Boonzaier]

Duh! I should have picked up onthe Fahrende part as well, I was reading about it just a few days ago.

Thanks

Chris