Chris Dale

My new book is out now on Amazon print to order. 'Traditions of the Imperial German Cavalry Regiments' studies the history and uniforms of each of the 110 regiments with loads of photographs of uniforms and headdress from modern collections and museums, and new illustrated charts showing the regimental variations in a clear format. More details, previews and how to order here:- http://imperialgermanuniforms.co.uk/traditionscavalry.htm

Thanks guys, hope you like it! Cheers Chris

I'm very happy to announce that my new book 'Traditions of the Imperial German Infantry Regiments' is out on Amazon. This book takes a look into the histories of each of the two hundred and seventeen infantry regiments (and eighteen light infantry battalions) that made up the Imperial German army. We trace the regiments of 1914 back to their roots as the famous Potsdam giants, the Hessian mercenaries in America, the Bavarians who allied to Napoleon and the Prussians who arrived just in time to defeat him at Waterloo. Their histories are many and varied. Some of the earliest regiments had their origins in Dutch, Swedish or British service, while other later units were raised from conscripts in annexed territories, many of whom did not even have German as a home a language but spoke Polish, Czech, Danish, French or Alsatian as a mother tongue. We also examine how the different traditions of each regiment often determined their uniform distinctions as royal monograms on shoulder straps, battle honours on their helmet plates or different coloured cockades on their headdress. The 250 page full colour book is richly illustrated with period photographs and paintings, dozens of photographs of Pickelhauben in modern collections and exclusive new illustrated charts of every regiment. “Every once in a while, a book comes along in the World War One niche that makes you pause, catch your breath and realize what you have just digested. This timely and authoritative book should be on the shelf of every serious student of the First World War.” Joe Robinson (Colonel J's Pickelhaube Musings) It's available in print from all Amazon outlets worldwide, such as: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08SP2PK2V/ https://www.amazon.com/Traditions-Imperial-German-Infantry-Regiments/dp/B08SP2PK2V/ https://www.amazon.de/Traditions-Imperial-German-Infantry-Regiments/dp/B08SP2PK2V/

I would certainly be interested in such a book!

Hi Chris, Yes, in 1905 there were five Fuhrpark Kolonne. However the 2nd, 3rd and 5th were titled "(Proviant-) Kolonnen-Abteilung" rather than (Fuhrpark-) Kolonnen-Abteilung as were the 1st and 4th- 1. (Fuhrpark-) Kolonnen-Abteilung 2. (Proviant-) Kolonnen-Abteilung 3. (Proviant-) Kolonnen-Abteilung 4. (Fuhrpark-) Kolonnen-Abteilung 5. (Proviant-) Kolonnen-Abteilung Perhaps the armourer didn't make that distinction? Perhaps the distinction was made after the bayonets were issued? Or perhaps as you suggested it has made the journey back from the Western Front? Cheers Chris http://genwiki.genealogy.net/Schutztruppe_für_Deutsch-Südwestafrika_(Kaiserreich)

Hi Chris, Yes, that of course is an outside possibility and I'm always up for devil's advocate arguments in general but FP5 seems a plausible marking to me for the reinforcements of 1904-05, and the S71/84 would seem a more practical and shorter bayonet than the S98 offered to the new frontline Schutztruppe units. ...and thank you for the compliment Bayern. But I admit it is not without faults. Cheers Chris

I've just got back from a trip to Namibia. I spent week in the sun while the UK shivered but of course the you know the weather wasn't the real reason I was there. I was of course looking for DSWA remains. I found the expected Swakopmund museum, the Reiter memorial in Windhoek, a few artillery pieces at the Alte Fest etc etc. But one real surprise was in a seond hand shop in Swakopmund. Amongst all the usual brick-a-brack in a glass cabinet was a bayonet. I took a closer look- an S71/84 with unit markings! Isn't this then the oldest DSWA bayonet we've seen? I couldn't photograph it well in the case so I told the shopkeeper honestly, “You've got a great bayonet there. I can't afford it and even if I could I couldn't take it back to UK in my luggage, do you mind if I take some close up photos of it out of the case?” and gave him a tip in Namibian Dollars for the favour. It's not in great condition and the markings are faint. They seem to read “5.FP 2.123”. 5. Fuhrpark-Kolonne? The date mark is W?8 and I couldn't read the maker mark at all. But there's a tag on the bayonet saying 1888 and Weyersburg, which of course would seem to be a very good guess. Any comments appreciated. Cheers Chris

According to Reinhard Schneider's "Die Kaiserliche Schutz und Polizeitruppe fuer Afrika". The 1904 DSWA reinforcements had S98 (Lange)- but their artillery and MG units had kS98. Then in 1909 all DSWA Schutztruppe were issued kS98. I think that ties in with what we see in collections, roughly? Cheers Chris

Glad to help and share. Cheers Chris

" In the same way, it would be nice to read the three spange on the DSWA ribbon. One is almost common. Finding two is nice, but three is a real treat. " But notice the other (perhaps officer) next to him has four clasps on his!!!!

Thanks for that Andreas!

Hello all, Here's a photo of two DSWA veterans taken in Wien late 1930s. Can anyone tell me the Herero Veteran on the left's second medal with single Spange? I see he has DSWA medal with several clasps and WII centernary after it. Any help appreciated. Cheers Chris

I stumbled across the New Zealand Archives last night where they have digitised many of the German documents they captured on Samoa in 1914. There's an awful lot there to go through including service files on individuals, a file on military matters, loads of trading forms- https://www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewRelatedEntities.do?code=6051&relatedEntity=Item But perhaps most interesting for us, a file on Medals and Orders. I'm midway through reading handwritten lists of all the overseas engagements that qualified for a Colonial Service Medal- https://www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=24050353&digital=yes Cheers Chris

A friend of mine is selling a French 1859 Italian Campaign medal on ebay. Thought it might be of interest to some of you- http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FRENCH-FRANCE-Napoleon-III-Military-silver-medal-of-the-1859-Italian-Campaign/332123456992 Cheers Chris

Thanks for rekindling this thread Fross, nice addition! Cheers Chris