Glenn J

Hi Chris, either the Mütze or helmet could be worn in service or campaign dress prior to the war. The brocade belt was not introduced until 1896. Following that date, this too could be worn in service and campaign dress. After 1896 the Pardeschärpe was not worn with the Überrock. Prior to the introduction of the brocade belt (Feldbinde), those officers in immediate proximity to the Kaiser (Prussia) and other sovereigns such as Generaladjutanten, Flügeladjutanten and the like wore the Paradeschärpe with the Überrock. Additionally, general officers and officers on higher formation staffs also wore the paradeschärpe on campaign dress. Please find below a portrait of General der Infanterie von Plettenberg wearing both helmet and brocade belt. A much earlier portrait of the future Generalmajor Julius von Gilsa, shows him as a Major of FAR 4 in campaign dress in 1871 wearing the Schärpe. It would seem that regimental officers routinely wore the Überrock on campaign during the Franco-German war of 1870-71. Regards Glenn

From the Offizier-Stammliste of the GFR. Regards Glenn

Well, a little further digging just now led me to a further conclusion! It appears from this extract from June 1916 that the December 1914 regulations stipulated gold stars and then states that the May 1915 regulations say silver (although that is not the case as seen from the extract above). However it then goes on to say that Generals could wear either silver or gold (on campaign dress)!! From the confusing sequence below, an order of October 1915 mentioned or introduced gold stars (which were already in use from December 1914). However a further order of 20 October 1917, once again confirms the stars as gold! I think that the situation was therefore Gold from December 1914 to either May or October 1915 and then officially silver or gold (if in possession of them and only on campaign dress). Gold again from October 1917. Frankly, I think they probably wore what they liked!! Best wishes Glenn

Hi chaps, I can't explain any silver stars during the war on the horizon blue uniform but I can only point to the regulations that are available to me: Those from 9 December 1914 incorporating the amendments to 28 May 1915 and the post-war edition of 30 May 1919 amended to 1 May 1923. They were certainly changed to silver sometime after that. Regards Glenn

I came across this picture of General Victor d' Urbal's horizon blue helmet cover. The stars appear very much gold to me. Regards Glenn

The regulations - "notice descriptive de nouveaux uniformes" simply state, stars of gold (étoiles en or). Regards Glenn

Hi Chaps, he is not a line officer. The only non-line officer I could find in the 1906 Marine-Rangliste with an RSt3X and of corresponding rank was one Marine-Stabsarzt Dr. Theodor Sohler. He had been awarded this Russian award as an army medical officer (1. Ostasiatisches Infanterie-Regiment) for his service in China. Regards Glenn

I think he maybe rather problematical to identify. His epaulette insignia cannot readily be ascertained plus the fact he is retired (probably for many years) as evidenced by the “außer Dienst” bridles on his epaulettes. He will not therefore be listed in any army list at the time of this photograph. Regards Glenn

Hi Christophe, I agree! I misread the Militär-Verordnungsblatt. His initial award was just with swords. Regards Glenn

Chris, Christophe, I had already considered Herr Simon as a likely candidate. However, there is just one small problem: He was awarded the BMV4X with a CROWN (22 January 1915) which is not seen here?? Regards Glenn

Indeed he was. He was already an Hauptmann i.G. before the war attached to the Prussian General Staff in Berlin. His former infantry regiment was 12. Infanterie-Regiment Prinz Arnulf and not the Leib-Regiment. Incidentally, he was executed as a member of the anti-Hitler resistance following the failed assassination attempt of July 1944 (23 Jan 1945) Regards Glenn

He is not Franz Sperr. Regards Glenn

Great Photo Chris, Your Leib-Regiment officer is Otto Ritter von Hübner, commanding Landwehr-Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 2. In peacetime, commander of the cadet corps in Münich with the uniform of the Leib-Regiment. The two generals are Generalleutnant Otto Ritter von Gyßling and General der Kavallerie z.D. Otto Ritter von Schmidt respectively. Regards Glenn

Hi Claudius Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-Colonel) Regards Glenn

The man himself, spelt in the Ranglisten as Berckekfeldt. Regards Glenn

Morning Claudio, I think this is conclusive; from an extract of a Kriegs-Rangliste of III. Bavarian corps showing Major Trautmann's awards. From top to bottom: Bavarian Jubilee Medal BMVO3 with Crown and Swords Bavarian Long service Decoration (DA) 25 years Prussian Centenary Medal Prussian EK2 Prussian EK1 Prussian Hohenzollern House Order 3 with Swords Saxon Albrechts Order Knight 1st Class with Swords Hamburg Hanseatic Cross Austro-Hungarian Military Merit Cross 3rd Class Mecklenburg-Schwerin Military Merit Cross 2nd Class Regards Glenn

Difficult to be absolutely certain, but I think this chap may well be the then Major i.G. Eugen Trautmann. Regards Glenn

my pleasure, a slightly different angle as published in "Die Führer des Reichsheeres 1921 und 1931" Regards Glenn

Morning, Reichsheer char. Generalmajor a.D. Friedrich Hohmann, formerly commander of Artillerie-Regiment Nr. 6 and wartime ARKO 203. Regards Glenn

David, the gentleman is a Warrant Officer Class One in the Coldstream Guards. The peak is fitted with the five rows of “Russia braid” of a WO1 and tailored at a steep angle to rest on the bridge of the wearer’s nose as is customary in the British Foot Guards regiments. Regards Glenn

The 1904 regulations state quite simply: "as per officers of the mounted branches, with silver fittings etc". A royal decree of 15 April 1913 introduced the wear of the central coat of arms in coloured enamel. Regards Glenn

Hi David, note the crown surmounting the Johanniter Order below his Crown Order Commander's cross with swords. The Ehrenritter just wore a cross without the crown. Regards GLenn

Hi guys, a combination of experience, knowledge of uniforms and awards.plus countless hours compiling spreadsheets with awards. And sometimes a bit of luck! Regards Glenn

Hi Ian, hope all is well with you. Oberst Friedrich von Kettler, ARKO 238. Regards Glenn

Hi Chris, I should very much think so: Otto Graf zu Castell-Castell and Wilhelm Freiherr von Leonrod, both wearing the uniform of a Flügeladjutant to the King of Bavaria. Regards Glenn