Historyfan

Thank you all! Winfried

Hello Captain Albert, the right one. I'm not allowed more uploads here, so please look what I've uploaded to my website: 600 dpi image (5,7 MB): http://www.vexilli.net/Hilarius/1914...1918%20Leutnant%20Hilarius%20Luedke%20%28re.%29%20im%20I.%20WK%20600.gif a clip (Tchako & shoulder board, 150 KB): http://www.vexilli.n...0600%20clip.gif If there are any problems in accessing, just tell me. I might have to open that directory for the public. Myself I can see th epictures... Winfried

Hi All, as I see here are several analysts specialized in old uniforms. I'm loading up an image of my grandfather-in-law (right). He was with the telegraph troops in WWI, and in the family he was known as "our youngest lieutenant". The picture is our only one from wartime. I hope somebody is able to tell us more about his rank. Background: 1914 he entered the army as an Einjährig-Freiwilliger, went to Berlin, as a telegraphist (perhaps for training at Inspection of Telegraph and Traffic Troops?). In mid-war (1916/17?) he was in Belgium where he was wounded by a grenade splinter and subsequently came into a military hospital in Berlin. Winfried

Hi, I'd say the first one isn't a soldier but rather a Red Cross man. Winfried

Hello, I'm not familiar with the ranks of the Old Army but in later times, the basic grade in an infantry regiment was "Schütze". "Infanterist" may be a function but it is not a grade. If there were different types of battalion or company in that regiment there may have been other ranks. And maybe the thuringian forces had even other ranks. The cockade represents the state so it must be that of one of the many thuringian states. You'll already know that the contingents of the smaller states were combined to form the necessary troops. There may have been battalions with all different companies. (If you know what I mean.) Winfried

Hello Westfale, the EK2 cross was worn only on the day when it was awarded (a guess but I should wonder if I'm wrong). So it should be Hptm Benischek. Greetings, Winfried

Hello Stijn, I hope my reply doesn't come too late: The Vermessungs-Abteilung (L) is unique. Abteilung in its name means department and not battalion. It is one of two departments remaining from the Preußische Landesaufnahme (general staff mapping and surveying organization) when the latter was dissolved on mobilization 1914. Their task was mainly to administer the surveying instruments of the Pr. Landesaufnahme. (The other department was the Kartographische Abteilung. Their task was to print and distribute maps.) These two departments belonged to the Stellvertretender Generalstab (rear general staff) in Berlin and existed until 1917 when the Landesaufnahme was re-established. Winfried