Chip

Nice photo Chris. Germans love their instruments! Even the gas unit has a band.

Yep....

The text is more interesting in that he is giving instructions for his "Extramütze" to be sent with a gray band for the field. Chip

It must have been fate on several levels. First, when I look on-line I normally don't look at Militärpaß (I only have three now). Secondly, all those who normally do look didn't catch this. It sure pays to know some regimental history when it comes to famous historical figures. If the pass hadn't been to the 124th, I probably would have passed it by.

Just received this Militärpaß. It is seemingly a run-of-the-mill infantry example, but when you look a little closer, it becomes very interesting. Musketier Alois Frick, born 1895, entered the service in January of 1917, five months from his 22 birthday. He's in the Ersatz Batallion of K.W.Infanterie Rgt.Nr.124. In September of 1917 he is sent to the 6,Komp.I.R.124 in the field. He serves the rest of the war with this unit. One interesting entry mentions his being sent to a Sturmabteilung for a couple of weeks (advanced training?). An otherwise pretty bland pass, which when offered, did not even show the Sturmabteilung passage (it was under an added sheet of his battle record). The pass sold for below the normal price of a Militärpaß. Alois was mustered out of the service in December of 1918 and two months later his service was recorded in his book (20.02.19). It was signed then by a newly promoted captain (21.12.18), who had some history with the regiment. Recognize the signature? I guess I was the only one bidding who did.

Could the marking be "11.G.R."? "G.J." doesn't seem to make any sense (at least to me!).

Andy, I think you mistyped the date for P.B.39. The war was over on December 1,1918! Chip

Eric, I'm just speculating here, but if you have one and a half of a man's tags, I would assume he survived the war. I say that because if one half of the M16 tag stayed with the body and one half was collected by the unit, then there shouldn't be any left. I normally assume that half tags in good, non-dug condition were just broken in half and separated. This old zinc gets really brittle and the perforations are a weak area. Chip

Eric, If you are only going to keep one set, I think you made a good choice. Very nice. Chip

Minen, A nice new assortment. Especially interesting is the rectangular "M.G.Z." example. The variety of these tags is continually surprising to me. Chip

Andy, According to the unit history, the Russian guns were replaced in the summer of 1917 by the new Infanterie Geschütz L20/17. Chip

We plan to do that as soon as we have a photo from every unit.

Hi Andy, Yes, worked in tandem with, not part of. My history of the Sturm=Batl.Nr.1 also includes Infanterie Geschütze Batterie Nr.2's history, since they worked together most of the time.

I thought most Sturm Bataillone had an Infanterie Geschütz Batterie that it worked in tandem with.

Pretty cool. Any photos showing their straps or perhaps a closer view of the gun?

Chris, Look at "Jockers" before it. It's a "k". Kork.

Since he is an artillerist, the grenade is used in the place of an acorn.

The Probe piece in the Bavarian Army Museum indicates that Flieger sleeve patches with Roman numerals only are to be worn by officers and enlisted men of Kampfgeschwader. Chip

Eric, The Bavarian's were pretty slap-dash with their manufacturing of straps. Their numbers were usually without serifs, the edges (as is the case here) were often mis-sewn so that they often opened easily. There must not have been any inspection, as they occasionally are seen with the edge sewing so far off that there is an open space between the two layers.

Ah, sometimes German humor flies right by me!

Master of handstands? Is that good or bad? It must be a German saying, but it does convey the intended meaning. I assume it means being good at something that no one cares about?

Jenette, The medal appears to be the 1934 issued, Ehrenkreuz des Weltkriegs 1914/1918 (Honor Cross of the World War 1914/1918). This one is without swords and with the to next of kin ribbon. These Ehrenkreuz für Eltern (Honour Cross for Parents) were normally given to parents and widows of the fallen. Chip

Trajan, The Bavarian issue cockades are a bit larger and the white outer ring stands out making them look even larger in photos, where most other contingents that have darker rings. Here are two of the issue sew-on types for comparison. Interestingly, Saxon issue sew-on cockades are smaller than Prussian and all other state's versions. Chip

Andy, Two things. First, if that is not a "4", then what is it? Only Garde units had no unit numbers and this fellow is not from a Garde unit. Also, the number on the shoulder strap is "6.". Look where the "punkt" is. Chip

Or it could be a Roman numeral "X". The serifs tend to make me think that is what it is. Chip