Ulsterman Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 From Rick's last trip to Boxborough...from the vaults of Mordor.... " Greetings from the Island! "This is an ironic sword- awarded for marksmanship! This is a beautiful maidenhair Damascus pattern IOD 89 with a two ring nickled scabbard, blackened for wear after 1906. It was -as all such "Kaiser prizes" were- the personal gift of Kaiser Wilhelm himself to the officer commanding the best marksmen in every Army Corps at the annual maneuvers. (The officer also got the REO4 according to some sources). It is inscribed "Ehrenpreis fuer hervorragende Schiessleistungen 1905 dem Oberleutnant Oswald von Infant. Regt. Von Alvensleben (6 Brandenb.) No. 52. With deluxe fittings and a "WII" pommel cap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ulsterman Posted February 26, 2012 Author Share Posted February 26, 2012 Fritz Franz Gustav OSWALD was born in Schippenbeil, East Prussia on the 4th of October, 1870. A Protestant and the son of Privatbaumeister Gustav Oswald and Emma nee' Hein. By 1910 he was married to Frieda nee' Paschke. On October 3, 1891-as an Abiturient- he joined IR 52 as a Volunteer Jan. 27 1893 promoted Lieutenant Jan. 27 1902 S4s Oberleutnant Jan. 1908 J6i Hauptman 01.10.96-31.03.00: Adjutatnt III/IR 52 01.10.00-20.07.03: attended complete course at the War Academy, but he did not pass to the General Staff 15.03.05-18.04.05: Took the course in infantry marksmanship at the Markmanship School (obviously good timing!) 24.08.05-26.01.08: Regimental Adj. of IR 52 27.01.08 transferred, with effective promotion to Captain, to IR 141 22.03.10 transferred as an instructor to the War School Glogau early 1914- transferred to IR 81 23. September 1914 killed in action near Ville Sur Tourbe while serving with IR 87...by someone whose markmanship was just as good...if not better! Awards: RAO4 (received in 1914?) Kaiser Wilhelm Centenary Medal Bavarian Military Merit Order 4th class (BMV4) Source: Stammliste IR 81/ Honor rank lists Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Boonzaier Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 That is indeed a very nice piece. The action he was killed in must be in the regt History? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ulsterman Posted February 29, 2012 Author Share Posted February 29, 2012 I would guess- alas, RR had no Regt. history. Any other Gnomes got some info on Oswald perchance? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Danner Posted February 29, 2012 Share Posted February 29, 2012 I would guess- alas, RR had no Regt. history. Any other Gnomes got some info on Oswald perchance? What little I can add: Oswald was transferred from Glogau to IR 81 on 19 June 1914, gazetted in the 20.6.1914 edition of the MWB. According to Busche's Formationsgeschichte der deutschen Infanterie im Ersten Weltkrieg, Oswald commanded I./RIR 87. Regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Boonzaier Posted February 29, 2012 Share Posted February 29, 2012 I will check at home, but I think it is one of the many histories i dont have (but really need!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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