Chip

The only Saxon Lanwehr field artillery regiments I can find are numbered 12 and 19 after the XII and XIX corps that they originate from. The first number on the shoulder board is a "1", but it is difficult to tell what the second number is. Chip

Rittmeister, It is pretty hard to tell from the sections of the photo just exactly what this tunic is. I can say that it is cavalry, a one-year-volunteer and that the number "1" without the serif on the bottom is more typically Bavarian. If you could show the entire picture, the identification could be narrowed down. The second photo appears to show a group all from the same unit. The difference is that the man in the center is wearing a field gray uniform and the rest have the full color uniforms. Chip

Not to me! I can see the Offizierstellvertreter braid on his shoulder board and also the glint of a metal device. No doubt about the rank, even without the info on the back. Chip

dante, 11.Flieger Ersatz Abteilung. The 253 on the sleeve patch is the field formation. I think most of the 200 series were artillery observation units. Chip PS If you blew up the shoulder strap of the artilleryman in the second photo we could probably identify the artillery unit.

Rick, I believe that once the battalions were formed into regiments, the company numbers changed for obvious reasons. Regulus1 tells me that the battalion identities were abolished at some point. I'm not so sure about that, but I do think that the company numbers would have to be changed if for no other reason than consistancy with the other regiments of the division. Obviously, someone thought there was a 9.Kompanie. I can think of several reasons why some shoulder straps are not showing their insignia. Don't know why that would be the case in this photo. Chip

Rick, Wouldn't this be the ninth company of the regiment, which would be the first company of the third battalion? Chip

Regulus1, Thank you for the nice information. This is a very interesting subject and little known to most casual WWI history buffs. I had a few questions, if I may. First, you said this, which intrigued me, "Some reports even still talk about the Seesoldaten taking the lines, although this was a referral to the Seebataillone, which officially stopped to exist by the end of 1914." Could you please explain futher about the Seebataillone ceasing to exist? When exactly did this happen? Why did it happen? I am a uniform and insignia collector and am very interested in this from the standpoint of any uniform changes that might have taken place as a result of this. For instance, were the unit designations on the shoulder straps of the Seesoldaten changed? Up until this point, at least, the shoulder straps had shown the battalion number in Roman numerals. Would this have changed? How many numbered battalions of Seebataillone were there? Is there evidence that all of them had their own numbered shoulder straps? I have four examples and have seen others, so I know that at least twelve battalions had their own numbered straps. Any information you would care to share would be most helpful. This theater produced some of the most interesting naval cap tallys of the war. They were many and varied. Do you have a list of the enlisted naval cap tallys worn by the various units of the naval divisions and the naval air service during the war? Finally, what can you tell us about the unofficial unit sleeve patches worn by various naval units. I have seen and have pictures of an elaborate patch which was supposedly worn by Marinefliegerkorps Flandern troops. Could this be something that was actually worn, or just a fantasy piece? Were there other, similar sleeve insignia? Best regards, Chip

Mike, That's a Bulgarian "been there" document. Chip

Chris, Considering where the Feldspange is, I think you are correct. This patch is the wartime version of the prewar type for Armee Telegraphen Abteilungen. Chip

Dave, I don't know about anyone else, but I'm impressed! Thanks for showing this outstanding uniform. Chip

Chris, He's wearing the uniform of the Infanterie Leib Regiment, which explains the Alpenkorps connection. Chip

Chris, I found this information on the old site, which was contributed by Rick L. regarding the b.29.IR (J?ger). "Bavarian Res.J?ger Batl.1 was formed from the Ersatz Bn of Bav Jgr Bn 1 and Ersatz Gebirgs MG Abteilung 1st Bav Army Corps. Bavarian Infantry Regiment 29 was an ad hoc formation of September 1916 on the Combres Heights-- then composed of Bav ResJgr Bn 1, IV Bn/ Bav Res Inf Rgt 4 and the certainly bemused III Bn/ Inf Rgt 79. But this place holding Frankenstein unit was disassembled within a month, and in October 1916 "Bavarian" Inf Rgt 29 was created in Rumania with Res.Jgr. Bn. 7, Res. Jgr. Bn. 9, and Bav Res. Jgr. Bn. 1. These were split up and the regimental staff and both non Bavarian battalions were left in the Crimea in June 1918. Bav Res Jgr Bn 1 was dispatched to Georgia at that time, and swelled by hodge podge wandering ex-POWs (some of whom were Austrian, though I've never encountered a Tamara in an Austrian group) and Tsarist Baltic volunteers, etc.. From 1 July to 15 August 1918 it was styled "Caucasian J?ger Regiment." Res.Jgr. Bns 7 and 9 wandered into Georgia as reinforcements on 1 August 1918, but were not reintegrated, wandering lonely by themselves while the 29th regimental staff actually had NO troops. On 15 August 1918 the "Caucasian J?ger Regiment" was RE-renamed Bavarian J?ger Regiment 15, but while paperwork was inked in that way, the unit's rubber stamps remained the same as before as the......1st Bavarian Reserve J?ger Battalion."

Chris, The cool thing is, if I'm not mistaken, that this ( 7.Res.J?ger Batl.) was one of the units which fought the Turks in Georgia (for the oil fields) and whose members were awarded Rick's much loved Tammy. Chip

The full color police uniforms were not given up until the fall of 1916. I'm thinking that these Bavarians must be Landesgendarmerie, because the Feldgendarmerie had Swedish cuffs with Litzen, not plain Polish cuffs like these men. Very cool photgraph. Chip

Oooooh. Nothing better than beautiful enamel and a litttle history. Thanks Rick. Chip

Thanks Charles. I feel much better now knowing that all of my Hessian disks are not missing their mates! Chip

Charles, Another question for you. Do both of the lions on the collar disks face the same direction? As I recall, the Hessians did not have a right and a left like the Bavarians. Chip

Chris, I am guessing that the Karpathenkorps guy is from the 257.FAR from the 200.Division. I also like the Fahenschmied insignia on his sleeve. Chip

The W?rttemberg artilleryman is probably wearing one of these.....

Chris, I believe that strap with the crowned "L" is this......29.FAR. Only the one he is wearing is an issue M10/15 simplified strap.

Very nice Charles. An unusual rank to see. I like the odd combination of NCO and officer insignia. Is there a Namenetikett or maker's label? Chip

Vodorosl, You have the picture of the Russian shoulder boards with the piping and I have shown you the piping in a period (dated 1917) intelligence reference on the Russian army and still you are saying it never existed? You can very easily say that the piping on the shoulder boards is wrong and that the reference material is wrong, but on the other hand, you have nothing to prove what you say is correct. I am willing to consider your assertion, but you have said nothing to convince me other than "because I said so". Chip

Vodorosl, Unfortunately, it appears that you are quite wrong. Chip

These are Tsarist shoulder boards for one of the Life Guard Rifle Regiments. The black and white cord boarder is correct for a wartime volunteer. The cording that Vodorosl is refering to is the one year volunteer cord and it should have the addition of an orange cord twist. Chip

Noor, Very nice. I don't own one, just a period photo of one being worn. They are very beautiful. Maybe someday..... Chip