Ian

Gordon, I believe that it is not the yellow collar tabs that denote the one year volunteer status, but the small button at the rear of the collar tab. My understanding is that prior to early (March?) 1915 One Year Volunteers wore a 1cm wide yellow stripe, with a narrower black stripe in the centre, around each cuff. After 1915 a small button was introduced (same colour as the button worn on the uniform) to replace the cuff stripes. The button was placed centrally at the rear of the collar tab as shown in the picture you posted. Ian

I brought this thread back up to let people know that the next 2 volumes in the series 'Handbuch der Verb?nde und Truppen des deutschen Heeres 1914 - 1918' (Reserve Infantry Regiments and Munitionskolonnen) will be published in November 2008.

Charles, Yes I beleive that the Tr?ger were recruited from Bosnia and as such the badge depicts a Muslim wearing a fez. Unfortuantely, I don't know too much about the role of the Tr?ger or why and how they were recruited. Cheers, Ian

Gentlemen, I recently purchased a couple of the Kragenabzeichen Tr?gertruppe. I have noticed that the ones I have seen, either for sale or in collections (including my own), have been for the 'right' collar. Now, this begs the question where they made in pairs (left and right facing), or where they only made right facing as either a money saving effort or because that's the way it was. The Austro-Hungarians certainly had left and right collar badges i.e. machine gun badge. Advertisment: Collector with two right collar badges wishes to correspond with collector who has two left collar badges; object: making a pair Cheers, Ian

Notice on his left sleeve he has the blue embroidered initials B.F. either side of a mountain axe. He was a Bergf?hrer (Mountain Guide) as well as being a member of an assault party. Regrads, Ian

Igor, The following information comes from 'Biblio Verlag admirals' biographies' page 492. 09.04.1889 Seekadett 12.05.1889 Unterleutnant zur See, Patenierung vorbehalten 17.10.1892 Patent as Unterleutanta zur See 13.04.1894 Leutenant zur See 01.01.1899 Oberleutnant zur See 10.08.1900 Kapit?nleutnant 30.03.1906 Korvettenkapit?n 07.05.1910 Fregattenkapit?n Regards, Ian

Rick, Thank you for the speedy reply :-). I actually have the 'Biblio Verlag admirals' biographies', but didn't look in them as I understood Michelsen finished the war as a Kapit?n zur See. Obvisouly I need to have a serious chat with myself about jumping to conclusions! Once the photos arrive I will most definately post them to this thread. Cheers, Ian

Hi, Anyone know any details (or point me in the direction of) on the careers of Kapit?n zur See & Kommodore Michelsen and/or Korvettankapit?n Thierichens. I recently obtained photos of both these gentlemen, but todate I have not been able to locate any information on either. regards, Ian

Stefan, If by old you mean orignal issue then I am 99.9% certain that it is an original piece. Regards, Ian

Stefan, It is an Austro-Hungarian double headed eagle and I think it is for a Infantry Shako (cap). Regards, Ian

Richard, Thanks for sharing the fantastic and informative photos of your Grandmother and her awards. Regards, Ian

Gordon, The badge you described in your earlier comment 'white enameled oval body with a Red Cross in the centre. On top of the oval was rather large crown'; sounds very much like a Schwesterns (Sisters) badge. Both sides of the dual monarchy utilised these Schwestern badges (the crown will tell you which part of the monarchy), but I am unsure on the significance of the 'Militar?rtze-u. Sanit?ter' and the 'Schwestern' badges (what organisations used them and for what reason). Hopefully some knowledgably person will set us straight. Regards, Ian

Hi, My two cents worth: The badge towards the left hand side of the photo appears to be a 1st/2nd Austrian Republic badge (check out the chains on the eagles legs and only a single eagles head is visible). The Hungarian version of the Militar?rtze-u. Sanit?ter Dienstabzeichen is on the bottom right of the photo. As too what they are worth; I paid approx Euros 70 each for my Austrian and Hungrians versions. Regards, Ian

The badge is the Militar?rtze-u. Sanit?ter Dienstabzeichen. There are two distinct types; an Austrian version (at least three different finishes) and a Hungarian version. The badge measures approx 59mm x 45mm I have seen a few photos showing the badge being worn on either the left breast pocket or above the left breast pocket. Regards, Ian

Hardy, It looks exactly right to me. Measurements should be: MVK Idisregard suspension arm and ring) overall is 31mm and the centeral medallion should be 12mm. Please note that over the years (1860-1918) there where trifling differences in the manufacture of the cross. Hope this helps. Regards, Ian

Does anyone have any idea on Korn?l Oszl?nyi previous career in the Austro-Hungarian Army? Thanks, Ian

Noor, My two cents worth is that this is a very bad copy. Two things immediately leap out at me and they are the wire securing the eagle onto the wreath and the shortness of the eagles wings. Possibly a Hungarian made example, but definately not a war time one. These particular badges have been discusse many times on this particualr forum and always the same out come....very few where awarded and even fewer would have survived in totoday's market. Ian

haynau, Who was the one exculsion for the kriegs-verdienstmedaille and IC? I am thinking it either Josef Kiss or Julius Arigi? Regards, Ian

Rick, Thanks for the reply. I guess my question wasn't that silly after all The photo you added is only the second one I have seen of the krieger-verdienstmedaille being worn. Both, no suprisly enough, being worn by former Austro-Hungarian soldiers/gendarmerie. My fasination with the krieger-verdienstmedaille continues! Regards, Ian

Hi Gents, This is probably a silly question, but I was wondering if the Krieger-Verdienstmedaille was ever awarded on the White/Black/White non combatants ribbon? And whilst I have your attention what does the Krieger-Verdienstmedaille equate to in terms of say the EK 1 or EK 2. I know that the medal was only issued to foreign troops, but I have yet to see a photograph of someone wearing both the EK and Krieger-Verdienstmedaille, hence my reason for asking. Regards, Ian

Gordon, I am away from home at the moment and don't have my reference books handy, but my understanding is that SMU-40 was built in Pola by Cantiere Navale and not Budapest. I think the only warships built in or around Budapest were the Danube River Monitors. Regards, Ian

Chris, O.C.A.- Old Commrades Association. There are branches of the Submarine OCA in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and I dare say South Africa and many other countries. Regards, Ian