Chip

He is definitely a German Red Cross man and the style of the medal bar indicates a pre-1919 photo to me. He wears the standard Red Cross belt buckle, buttons, collar insignia, sleeve rank chevron, etc. Chip

Thomas, I have some photos of captured German and Austrian guns, take at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds, either during or shortly after the war. Included are two detailed photos (right and left sides) of the Skoda 7.5 cm Mountain Gun (with shield). Chip

A beautiful piece. Thanks for showing it. Chip

Paul, I think that the medical officer boards were essentially the same as the army's. Of course, they would have the navy colored "darts" (Faden). They would have had three cords, gold, black, silver, with a dark blue velvet underlay. The highest rank was Generalstabsarzt der Marine, the next was Marine-Generalarzt. It would have had two pips in addition to the Aesculapstab. Unfortunately, I don't have a picture. Chip

Jürgen, That is a private purchase item only. Nothing like this was issued. Chip

Hmmm. To me, it looks like "F West", which is also seen in the typed text below, referring to perhaps the location of a sap trench. Just another thought. Chip

Chris, Love the Mecklenburg Jäger photo. Wish I had those straps! They appear to be the simplified 1907 pattern without tongues and piping. The tunic and schako cover are not too shabby either! The second guy might be a Jäger too. Isn't that a Jäger NCO Troddel? All I can make out on the shoulder strap is the number "1", but it might be the first of two digits. Anyway, it's always nice to have a Karpathenkorps photo. Chip

I was just celebrating my first birthday at that time, but heck, everything was good even into the early 1980s. Since then, not so much. Chip

I agree with Brian. If anyone can help, they will. That's why we are all here. That said, I can't help you there either. Chip

Paul, Any particular rank? Chip

Both good and evil Rick are not around these days. At first, I thought they had gone to another forum, like when they left the WAF to come here. But I am told that that is not the case. I think we all miss Rick L.'s musings, but nothing lasts forever. Chip

Brian, No harm meant. Just trying to describe it for you. It's a beautifully done piece. I like it too! Chip

I think Kriegsfürsorgeamt is the government War Relief Office, which would be either selling these medals to raise funds or bestowing them on volunteers or officials. In other words, a civilian thing, not military. Chip

That is a beauty and one of the few units to wear that cool French cuff. :jumping:

Maybe I'm not getting it, but seeing that skull patch on a woman's bathing suit just seems wrong. :Cat-Scratch:

I think "Infanterist" would make sense, and the Germans seemed to be fairly liberal with the term "Musketier". "Füsilier" is more specific and usually connotes either someone from a Füsilier regiment, or from the Füsilier battalion (normally the third battalion of the regiment). The cockade should be Prussian. Chip

It's IR.72. Here is the regimental shoulder strap. It's the cypher of the king of Bulgaria, Ferdinand. Chip

I hate to say it, but what good is the paper trail? When no one will take responsibility or help, it is just extra money poorly spent. It's only a ten hour flight. It's much more fun bringing items back yourself! Chip

I have lost two registered packets in this identical manner. Both were traced as far as their entry into this country. Once they hit the States, poof! I now tell my contacts not to register things, as it appears to be a "steal me" flag for the thieves. Chip

Mark, Here is one type. Papercloth strapping, metal "rings". I have seen similar papercloth straps with leather reinforced rope rings. Chip

I did too! Thanks for taking the trouble to show us. Chip

This material was also included in another period publication, the "Handbook of the German Army in War, 1917", which was then republished in 1973 by EP Publishing Limited. It appears again in the 1918 edition of the same publication "Handbook of the German Army, April 1918" and this was also republished in 1977 by Arms and Armour Press, London. Chip

Yes, there were Austrians there. Mostly artillery and support troops. Chip

Robert, Similar insignia was worn by the French air corps. Otherwise, all I can say is that this navy jumper (collared shirt) is not German, nor is the undershirt. So who knows, it may be some other navy (Austrian?). Chip

Looks like one of those tri-colored strips on the end of the strap. Chip