Hoss

Prussian Karel just fainted seeing all those haubes in one spot Jesus! talk about an instant million dollar collection! Eric

Thats weird Soignies is roughly north of Mons maybe Kluck is referring to the British positions behind the canal anyway the book sounds interesting. Cheers Joe I also found this I like these personal account links on battles some are very good. http://grandadswar.mrallsophistory.com/aug1914.html Eric

Joe Brig. Gen.Edmonds he was a Haig cronie I've never read any British Official Histories a recommendation at the bottom of a Keegan article I have in front of me The March on Paris (Kluck Arnold 1920). I also found something on the 4th (Royal Irish) Dragoon Guards 'C' squadron at the village of Soignies shortly after they landed. The Uhlan (9th Cavalry Division) also had wireless in contact with Ist & 2nd Armies.(Oberste Heeresleitung). So we can presuppose the Germans always screened the BEF before during the Channel crossing through Boulogne to their march up to the line beginning August 21st imo. Regards

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Haelen_(1914) Joe is the reconnaissance on the BEF Robinson's opinion? bold statement. Eric

Gents Has anyone seen mg marked binoculars before?, I've never owned a marked pair only the carry case. They are stamped 11.G.J. 3.M.G.K. a friend was asking for help I think he bought them. Cheers

Chris does it have rubber grips those are scarce. Eric

Trajan I'd be interested to know what the 'N' mark represents I see it quite often but no longer have any reference material, I gave it all away 15yrs ago. Eric

Chip are those come as you are boards they look long and wide to me, just asking in fact they almost look like they have been made out of greatcoat back adjusting straps. Eric

What happened to the posted images Chris? it may be important to new collectors they all look squashed. Eric

His uniform looks brand new minty but his hands are filthy its a pity we can't see his boots, set up studio photos are weird that's why I like field photos.I wonder how many soldiers had two uniforms one for field duty one for walking out other than officers. Eric

Pity I wanted Thomas to explain something I saw in one of his photos not shown here, a piece attached to a helmet cover clip. Eric

No Chip missed it I would have asked you gents if it was period, was looking for a wartime picture but gave up. Eric

Field banner.

I did see two other pr but these were the best imo. they may have been more. Chip your friend Roland has a wonderful pr of regular Prussian best I've seen, darn they are tough pre net I couldn't find any dated jobs out for sale they were all in collections. Eric

ccj sorry is it Charles? Two or three pr came up awhile back they'd all been stored flat so it took a bit of work and I didn't want to use oil another collector has them now, I hope you enjoy the photos.

Yes and what a great shot of the 'walking shaft thingy' dam, I always wanted one of those for my collection, fat chance. Eric

Charles have you a pr of Saxon boots so you can make up a full mannequin. dam I hate to a stinker but please lose the lip hair its been bothering me for months, I've been building up nerve to finally mention it. I painted a similar mannequin's face once on a frenchman with glue then used old brushes, after it set trimmed it to give that period look, bit of facial rouge with cig. ash, done. Eric

When did they remove numbers judging by the vast majority of '14 aug-november photographs soldiers in the field weren't wearing them or are they only reserve formations? Eric

Thanks Brian you always show nice gear. Try German Illuminism on the fob. Eric

Cool those watches are actually shown in period footage. Eric

Not to divert the thread but where did you get the issue thing from? They get damaged broken even at play war so they probably requested or even purchased extras imo. The main point is the specialist training schooling they did if a soldiers tunic became rat he may or not have bothered with replacing the insignia. "At ease this is no parade ground" . Eric

Could one reason be the badge wasn't worn because they were hated even by comrades, much as MGSs gunners? When these troops turned up regulars knew they were in for a hard time. It seems to me there was much more wearing of specialist badges postwar up to 1925/6 than during actual W1 battles. Interesting remark on helmets I'd had the same response from a German W2 vet recently. They couldn't wait to dump the steel helmet on the Eastern front he called it heavy uncomfortable froze your head in winter and fried it during the summer, they fought in wool caps. Eric

Chip Does the helmet also show an mg badge or having had it removed? pity about no date thanks anyway sorry about the image crop but its interesting. Eric

Soldiers are wearing camouflage cutout helmets what is the image date? Eric

Superb helmet inside and out if the gent is talked out of it by the burgundy mob send it to me. Eric