Naxos

Here are the photos Rick - thanks for your help. http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=26398&hl= Hardy

Thank you Ulsterman! Hardy

Unteroffizier Anton Frick killed in action on May 26, 1917 From April 15 to May 20 the Regiment took part in the Spring Offensive near Arras. It is quite possible that Anton was wounded during this action and died at a Field hospital near Sissonne. The Etappe of the W?rttemberg 26. Division was stationed there. From May 21 to August 14, 1917 his Regiment took part in Defensive actions in Flanders and Artois Anton Frick is burried at the cemetary in Sissonne (France) grave location: Block 7 Grab 519 I will check the Regimental History later today for more info. Regards, Hardy

on one of the pictures is written: "knocked-out French tank at the defense line Guignicourt - Offensive 1917" see here: <a href="http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=25020&hl=" target="_blank">http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=25020&hl=</a>

Thanks for the correction - the pictures according to the writing on the backs were taken at the Juvincourt - Guignicourt defense line. The Group Bossut advanced and was stopped there. You are right the Group Bossut crossed German lines to get there. I believe Group Chaubes had Saint-Chamond tanks here is a map that shows the advance of both groups. http://www.wereldoorlog1418.nl/tanks-frankrijk/index.html

Sources: http://www.picardie1418.com/fr/comprendre/...ar/chars_fr.htm http://mapage.noos.fr/lasabretache/chars.htm http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Offensive_Nivelle

*Leutnant der Reserve Wilhelm Hurst, 2nd Company, I.R. 170, born 12 February 1893 in Diedelheim, Baden - died from wounds on September 14, 1918 at the Bavarian Military Hospital Abteilung 6 in Mons.

Leutnant Hurst and his album

False Claim on ebay I found this original postcard it features the same tank as above except the claim has been changed to knocked out by 4/54. One can still see parts of the wiped of former claim inscription.

knocked out by NKB 218 - April 16 1917

The tanks destroyed by NKB 218

The album pictures: an anti tank gun of NKB 218 at Juvincourt

From: Die Schlacht im Kreidekalk by Otto Lais. No-man's land infront of the German trench at Juvincourt, the Jahnw?ldchen Original photograph postcard from a soldier of the German 52nd Division: the same trench after the tank assault on April 16 1917

The 218th Bavarian Close Combat Battery ( Nahkampfbatterie NKB218) engaging French Char Schneider tanks near Juvincourt. Last year I bought a Photo album that belonged to Wilhelm Hurst*, a Baden Lieutenant of the 170th IR. (Chris Boonzaier has his EKII document). The album is a treasure filled with over 120 original photographs taken at the Western front. One page in particular caught my eye ? three photographs of burnt out French Schneider tanks. Since then, I acquired a couple more pictures featuring the tanks knocked out on April 16, 1917. The album also contained a picture of a gun and crew of NKB 218. I learned that the attack at Barry-au-Bac and Juvincourt was the first large tank assault by the French using their new Schneider and Saint-Chamond tanks. Monday April 16, 1917 - 0600 hours In the sector Berry-au-Bac eighty-two Schneider tanks under the command of Cdt. Louis Bossut crossed no-man's land at a top speed of 8 km/h. After penetrating the first and second German lines the attack came to a halt at the defense line Juvincourt - Guignicourt. Out of the 82 tanks 39 were smoldering in front of the German trenches. Among the dead was Cdt. Bossut and his crew. In a German account of the events it is said that the gunners of NKB 218 opened direct fire with their cannons at a distance of 400 meters. The French tanks, due to the uneven terrain, where not able to fire back a single aimed round. The 7.5 cm cannons of NKB 218 destroyed 18 Schneider tanks on that day. Before I present the photos from the album - here are some French pictures of the Schneider tank. http://www.wereldoorlog1418.nl/tanks-frankrijk/index.html The 16 ton Schneider tanks arrive at the front by train in April 1917

Thanks Chip, I thought along the same lines. The boards were sewn in - not that easy to change. Hardy

Here are two shoulder boards from a Leutnant of the Fussartillerie - both with blue piping - I can not find anywhere that Blue was used by the Fussartillerie - Hardy

This plate is from a different vehicle - with Motor No. 68134 The plate is very heavy and made of zinc

Here are some close-ups Type: Tumansky M-88 Motor No. 713 Date of Manufacture: 27.12.39 again any additional information is much appreciated. Hardy

Chip, I'm glad you mentioned that - I was going to bid on it but I will not bid against you. Good luck, Hardy

Any ideas? Hardy

Yes Mike - me too

nothing is right - the weaving of the ribbon looks like cheese-cloth (you'd think for that asking price they could have cut it nicer across)

Thanks Paul - I will keep you in mind. Here is a photo scan to complement the thread. Hardy

I believe its called: The Iron Crap second class

my humble contribution to give this most interesting thread new life Hardy