Glenn J

The image comes from his entry in Kurt v. Priesdorff's "Soldatisches Führertum". The scan is already at 600 dpi but I can send you a larger copy of it plus some biographical stuff in German. Please pm me with your email and I will do that. Regards Glenn

If I was a betting man, I would put money on the second bar as belonging to: Major Christian Graf zu RANTZAU who was commanding the machine gun company of the 1. Garde-Regiment zu Fuß on mobilisation. The decorations fit exactly according to the information I have apart from the decorations of two former wartime enemies, which he has removed from his bar! (Italian Crown Order and a Rumanian Crown Order), Regards Glenn

But, in case you are interested......... Here is General-Lieutenant Heinrich Graf zu Rantzau (pictured as an Oberst). You can clearly see the Mecklenburg Griffin Commander as his lowermost worn neck decoration in this shot. Regards Glenn

Your General is Generalmajor Richard v. Cretius, commander of 2. Garde-Feldartillerie-Brigade around 1905. Regards Glenn

Not a definition but a person: Karl Ritter von Brodeßer, the Regimental "Inhaber" (literally owner) or honorary regimental chief from 1870 to 1876. Regards Glenn

Ingo, born 5.7.1818 in Longwy in France. Died 1.2.1886 in Boppard as char. Oberst a.D. Regards Glenn

Just as a follow-up; the links show the pattern and regulations in effect from 1890. I would also be grateful for any information regarding the period prior to that. Thanks Regards Glenn

Thanks Nick, excellent stuff. Regards Glenn

Can any of our Russian experts please explain the system of Tsarist long service chevrons as worn by soldiers on the left sleeve of their uniforms prior to World War One? What was the qualifying period for each subsequent award and the significance of either a gold or silver chevron? Could the Russian name in cyrillic script also be provided for these long service chevrons? Thanks Glenn

Gentlemen, as this is Oberst (General) Bolko Graf v. Roedern, I think we can rule him out. Regards Glenn

I think the last one will be a bit trickier. He appears to be a Feldwebel-Lieutenant on the staff of the cadet school at Groß-Lichterfelde around 1880. As such he is not shown in the Prussian Ranglisten. Regards Glenn

Odulf, Ernst v. Below is wearing the regimental uniform of Garde-Grenadier-Regiment Nr. 4 with an adjutant's aiguillette. The officer from Cassel is the later char. Generalmajor Hermann Augustin as a Premier-Lieitenant in Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 83 around 1879/1880. Regards Glenn

Odulf, Andreas is correct and in fact the later char. General der Infanterie Ernst v. Below as an Hauptmann and adjutant to Prinz Joachim Albrecht von Preußen around late 1903. Regards Glenn

Hi Andreas, that is Oberst-Lieutenant Leopold Eckert of the Stab des Ingenieur-Corps around 1885. Retired as a char. Generalmajor in 1889, Regards Glenn

Andreas, also replied at the Sammlergemeinschaft. It is the later General der Kavallerie Carl v. Hänisch as a Generalleutnant and divisional commander of the Cavallerie-Division of XV. Armee-Corps around 1889. He is not wearing much of what he was entitled to! Pretty much (apart from the Ludwig Order) just his Prussian stuff. He later commanded IV. Armee-Korps. Regards Glenn

Karsten, awarded the RAO4 on 17 September 1909. Permission granted to accept and wear the award per order of 8 October 1909 and published in the Bavarian War Ministry Verordnungsblatt Nr. 34 of 25 October 1909. Regards Glenn

Karsten, perfect match for Hauptmann Hans v. Schlichtegroll of 1. Infanterie-Regiment König in 1909. You will find him as a Major in your 1911 list. The China medal is the award in steel. Regards Glenn

Paul, he commanded RIR 75 (211. Infanterie-Division) at the time of his award gazetted on 2 May 1917. Regards Glenn

Major v. Beerfelde. Regards Glenn

Yes, he died on 17 November 1915 in Karlsruhe. Regards Glenn

The entire regiment wore silver (neusilber) fittings. The regimental staff and I. Bataillon were differentiated by a scroll with the inscription "Semper Talis". Regards Glenn

Chris, the I. and II. Battalions wore white plume and white equipment, the Füsilier Battalion (and IV. Battalion when it existed) wore black. Regards Glenn

Chris, he is a Drummer/ Fife player of one of the Grenadier Battalions of the 1. GRzF. The Corps of Drums and Regimental Band wore the red plume. That pattern of Schwalbennester is that of a Guards' Drummer. The Regimental Band wore a different pattern. Regards Glenn

Ingo, 20 March 1835 at Sorau. Regards Glenn