Eiserne Wehr

This soldier of Feldflieger-Abteilung 7. is portrayed in a backyard with a woman that could be his wife or perhaps she's a relative. In either case, she wants to try out his tunic and hat to see how it looks on her. His Grabendolch has grips made from stag and the Troddel is that of the Mannschaften. The back of one of the photographs reads: Zum Andenken an das Kriegsjahr im Juni 1917 In remembrance to war year in June 1917

This Hessian soldier is of the Infanterie-Regiment 'Kaiser Wilhelm' (2. Großherzoglich Hessisches) Nr. 116. On his belt with the distinctive large Hessian crown buckle sits his Grabendolch. His trench knife is a brand new one, it even has it's small leather washer still on the knife.

In this photograph are six men standing outside of Reserve Lazarett I. Bautzen. The two men on the left are reading a Dresdner Anzeiger newspaper pulled from a large map of other newspapers that the man on the far left is holding. On the map is the text Krankenblätter, which translates to reading material for the patients. The two men on the right are going through some files. The two men in the middle are serving refreshments although i am not sure if you want to drink what is in the bottle of the man holding a glass bottle with a large label on it. Where is the Grabendolch you might ask, there's one placed behind the small sign sitting on the ground in between the two soup ladles. The text on the sign: am 9.9.16 Die Alten Überreste Res.Laz.I.Bautzen Die alten Überreste translates to "The old leftovers", are they referring to the small box in front of the sign, the drinks or the patients? On the back are the names of the men written down.

This young lad appears to stand on military grounds when this photograph was taken given the fence in the background and sandy soil, in any case he is ready to be send over to the front. On his belt a Grabendolch in a leather sheath with metal chape on it's end and possibly a pistol holster next to it. He wears a Pickelhaube with Überzug on his head but without the Regiment's numbers thus this photograph is made after 27. october 1916. On his back a Tornister with a blanket and Zeltbahn strapped to it. In his right hand and pinned on his tunic a small bouquet, in his left hand a smoke. But what is that in his right jackboot, another Grabendolch! When looking at his Pickelhaube cover there seems to be the ghosting of his Regiment's numbers, '85' or '185', there is nothing on this CDV that indicates a town or city. His Regiment could be that of: - Infanterie-Regiment Herzog von Holstein Nr. 85. - Großherzoglich Badisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 185. Even if this photograph was crystal clear, both Regiments wore the same type of belt buckle so that too would have not helped pinning down his Regiment. Maybe there's writing on the back of the photograph but it's firmly glued onto the cardboard backing and i don't want to destroy it in the process.

A neat studio photograph of a soldier who collects patriotic rings, so far he has four of them. Pinned on his tunic are two ribbons and on his civilian belt he carries a Grabendolch with Mannschaften Troddel. He wears a pocket watch in a wristband on his right wrist. His riding trousers are covered up to his knees with puttees, on his shoes are spurs attached. On top of the beautiful and ornate table sits a patriotic picture frame with the text:'Auf dem Felde der Ehre gefallen'. I happen to own this photograph twice but sadly both are unwritten.

Thank you for your input, i had much difficulties deciphering parts of that text, like many writers they seem to use different styles simultaneously which almost looks like it's written by two persons. What is also very annoying is that some letters are very similar looking, a, e, r, k etc. Recurring words on the backs of these photographs like "Lieber", "Herzlich", "Dank" etc helps to get a baseline but it's not the answer to all that is written. I often use tables of Kurrentschrift but rarely they match like for like, the best method is tracing the writing in Photoshop as if i am writing the words myself. I use two layers so i can see the vowels for example traced by me but i can hide that layer so i immediately see the original.

This soldier is not fully in focus when this photograph was taken but his Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse and Sachsen-Weimar Allgemeines Ehrenzeichen in Bronze are clearly visible. On his belt a Grabendolch with Troddel and a Bajonett. The back reads: Friedrich Hartmann Niedergebra(Thüringen)

This photograph shows twelve men of the elite troop of Landwehr-Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 77., II Bataillon. They all seem to carry similar kit except the tall officer and leader in the middle, he doesn't bring a rifle but is ready for close combat. Some prefer to have their Luger 08 pistol attached to a lanyard and there are also those who opt to tuck their pistol in their tunic while having a holster on their belt. Some also bring a Grabendolch along, the third man from left draws his trench knife to display his intent. The back reads: den 16. august 1917. Lieber Paula! An du alles Haus was treibst du dir in Berlin rum. Frü zt.schon(Frühzeitig schon) der du dir gut amüsierts. Wir sicher dann in der Heimat aus. Gedenke im Oktober auf Urlaub zu kommen Sonst alles beim alten Er grüßt dich den Friz(?) Aufgenommen in Englos Elite Trupp der II Batl.(Bataillon) L.I.R. 77.(Landwehr-Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 77.) The 16th of august 1917. Dear Paula! To everyone back home, what is happing in Berlin these days? As long as you are enjoying yourself. We are definitely moving out of the Homeland. I will probably be on leave in october. Furthermore, everything is as usual. He greets you, yours Friz(?) Taken(this photograph) in Englos(Northern France) Elite Troop of II Batl.(Bataillon) L.I.R. 77.(Landwehr-Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 77.)

This Bavarian Unteroffizier, Kaspar Unützer, of Königlich Bayerisches 2. Infanterie-Regiment 'Kronprinz' has a Militärverdienstkreuz ribbon pinned on his tunic and a Grabendolch on his belt. The real eye-catcher however is the very rarely seen Maschinengewehr-Kompanie sleeve patch on his left sleeve.

A rather neat photograph of four Unteroffiziere of which two(that are visible) bare a Portepee, the man on the left has his attached on his Bajonett while the man on the right on his Grabendolch. The man on the right wears two ribbons on his tunic and has at least one lace stripe on his cuffs. The man on the left appears to have a slip on over his shoulder board and his mate sitting next to him has a piece of paper under his cuff. This photograph was taken in Brussel during a break of their attendence at the artillery school at the training grounds Beverloo. The back reads: F.A.(Feldartillerie) Schießschule Beverloo II. Lehr Jahr 23. August 1917 Lieber Landsmann! Endl.(Endlich) konne ich bei den vielen dienst zum schreiben hoffentl.(hoffentlich) geht es Dir recht gut. Ich habe mich auch nach Toast umgucken doch war mir 15 M(Mark/Reichsmark) für's necken zu happig. Sonst geht es mir recht gut. Das Bild ist in Brussel gemacht findest du es nicht wundervoll? Schreib mir auch bitte, wo die Batt,(Batterie) steckt. Für heute schluss Herzl.(Herzliche) Gruss an alle. Den Leo ?? An den Gefreiter Hernn W. Diete??orst 5. Batterie Feld.(Feldartillerie) Regiment 267. II Abteilung Field Artillery Shooting school Beverloo Second year 23. August 1917 Dear fellow countryman! I finally have some time to write you after much duties. Hopefully you are doing really well. I too looked for means of celebrating(likely some Champagne) but 15 Mark/Reichsmark was a little too steep for me just for teasing/making fun of. Otherwise i am doing really great. This photograph was made in Brussel, don't you think it's wonderful? Please write me too, what is your Batterie up to. For now i stop, heartily i greet you all. Yours Leo To Gefreiter Sir W. Diete??orst 5th Batterie Field Artillery Regiment 267. Second Department

This photograph of a soldier of Königlich Bayerisches Infanterie-Regiment 28. was probably taken in Truppenübungsplatz Grafenwöhr(Oberpfalz, Bayern). He prefers to have his Grabendolch in his jackboot. Could the small striped and light coloured ribbon be that of the Militärverdienstkreuz?

A stunning photograph of a young soldier with on his belt a Grabendolch with Troddel, a Gibraltar cuff title on his right sleeve and a Maschinengewehr-Scharfschützenabzeichen on his left arm sleeve. I am not fully certain when looking at his shoulder boards but he might be of Infanterie-Regiment von Voigts-Rhetz (3. Hannoversches) Nr. 79. I really wished there was writing on the back to have at least a name to this face.

I bought these quite a few years ago, i am not fully certain these came together if i brutally honest but than again my memory isn't the best. They look remarkably similar though.

This soldier on a non-CDV and CDV has me wondering, on the CDV he is a Sergeant and displays an Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse ribbon and a Verwundetenabzeichen on the non-CDV he has an Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse ribbon, unknown ribbon, miniature Verwundetenabzeichen pinned on his tunic and a Maschinengewehr-Scharfschützenabzeichen on his arm sleeve. In the non-CDV he has a Troddel for Mannschaften attached to his Grabendolch while having no Troddel on The CDV. A Sergeant is not of the rank to bare a Portepee but his Troddel "should" be there. On his shoulder boards are the cyphers '22', Maschinengewehr-Scharfschützen-Abteilung Nr. 22 perhaps? So why isn't he showing his rank in the non-CDV, it doesn't make sense if the CDV is later because why isn't he displaying the illustrious Maschinengewehr-Scharfschützenabzeichen? The CDV has some writting on it: Hermine(crossed through) Frau Zuksmann

This Jäger with a Grabendolch on his belt and number "1" on his shoulder board might be of Jäger-Bataillon Nr.1. "Graf Yorck von Wartenburg"(Ostpreußisches). The back reads: In Freundschaft Hugo In Friendship Hugo