Apollo

Ibrahim - Have had a look at your site and it is very interesting and I am sorry that I cannot be of more help as you already have all I can offer with Dieters booklet. Just to 'flesh out' Dieter a little more: He was but 17 years of age when war broke out so was still very young to have had his U-Boat experiences. When he was in the UK, he worked on a farm in Scotland - a country and an experience he actually liked very much. He was even offered permanent work there. He also stayed longer than one would have expected as his home town was Dresden and it was a bit unwise to return there. When he did return to Germany he settled in Frankfurt, had a variety of jobs, and eventually enjoyed a very successful career in industry. It was always a point of great amusement to him and to us that his work in Scotland resulted in a tiny UK pension - so small that he had it paid only once a year. We shall be in touch with his daughter to tell her that her fathers wartime experiences are not only registered at Chatham, but have now spread way back to Singapore. Up until his death, he kept in regular touch with a group of other remaining WW2 submariners in Germany. I wish you good fortune with your research Apollo

Ibrahim - Just spotted your last years request for help. Cannot help with pictures but I happen to have a booklet called 'A U-Boat Far From Home' written by Dietrich Hille ex Leutnant (Ing) Deutsche Kriegsmarine who served on U-181. He wrote it at the request of Peter Dawson, Editor of CHIPS magazine (Chatham Dockyard Historical Society) and to honour his over 50 year friendship with Bill Churchill of Melbourne whom he first met in the Dockyard of Seletar/Singapore in 1946. He 'prefered to write something more technical, about logistic and human aspects of such a long trip' - the U-Boat journey to Singapore, training the Japanese, Changi then his British experience. It is possible that Chatham Dockyard still have a copy of this booklet. Their web site is www.cdhs.org.uk If it is no longer available, let me know. I can copy it and send it to you. Dieter was a charming and interesting friend who sadly died a couple of years ago. His booklet gives some unusual detailed insights into his experiences at that time which you may find helpful for your research. On a personal note, if his material can reach a wider audience, I think he would have felt very proud. Apollo

Dan - Thank you for your help and very generous offer. As you suspected, I could not download it. My main hurdle is that it only comes in German and I do not speak German. I am now assessing all available options to overcome the linguistic problems which may take me a little while. I certainly do not want to waste your time so until I find a solution, please do not download it for me. I would however appreciate it if you would keep your offer open. Meanwhile, I am not yet ready 'to fall on my sword' so am taking myself back to 'school' and books to give myself a better grounding in Prussian history of that period, which inevitably will involve military matters. As the saying goes - from little acorns large oak trees grow. Thank you again Apollo

Dave Thank you. Your help is much appreciated, especially as I can click into English translations. My main problem is that I find that I am now side tracking into reading everything and find that my interest is expanding way beyond the start point of just one sword and its background. All very enjoyable. However, if anyone else has any further guidelines/pointers/names that will throw light and add colour to this regiments very early history from 1860 onwards, this information will be more than welcome. Apollo

Bob - Thank you for your interest and the helpful suggestion about seeking out the regimental history. I have started the search already via the computer (the computer being my most recent 'old dog new tricks' learning curve) I suspect that the regimental history search will be very much an ongoing project. Along the way I did find their rather splendid uniform on line which helps to build a picture. Many thanks again Apollo

David Thank you for your reply and the information. The picture is now clearer in my head. Historically I was originally chasing the wrong Tsarina Alexandra thinking that something would show up somewhere down this route, so thanks for putting me right. I doubt that my existing but tiny smattering of German will be of any use to me when it comes to the complexity of terminology - but I shall pursue this project as best I can for my own satisfaction. Apollo

Thank you for the information on the sword. However, my main interest is finding information about this particular regiment. Could any member with specific knowledge of Imperial Prussian Military history advise me of a site I could visit that would at least kick start my own personal research. A broad subject, but everyone has to start somewhere - hence my visit to this recommended forum. Thank you Apollo

I have a sword inscribed on one side of the blade as follows: 2.D.G.Rgt Kaiserin Alexandra von Russland - in Gothic letters, plus the letter A with what looks like a Russian crown above it. On the reverse side it has the W.K&C mark and there is a row of mounted soldiers plus the insignia Suum Cuique. It has a single eagle basket hilt. I believe that the regimental base was Berlin and it was part of the 3 Garde Kavallerie Brigade. I am also aware that such ornate swords were not uncommon, It would be nice to know if this was a parade/dress or retirement sword and if it belonged to an enlisted man or an officer. There is no discernable personal name inscribed on it anywhere. More importantly, I am now intrigued and interested to know more about this regiment and its function. The historical dates suggest that the Regiment could not have seen any action (Alexandra married in 1894 and the Revolution was in 1917) . I cannot find any information as to when the regiment took her name, or indeed anything whatsoever about the regiment itself. Regarding any reference points, I regret I speak no German. Can anyone help me flesh out the story of this attractive piece of history please. Thank you - Apollo