drakegoodman

Flammenwerfer pionier by drakegoodman, on Flickr

Two of the 21 A7V Sturmpanzer-Kraftwagen fielded by Germany in March 1918 pause on a dirt road for a photo opportunity by drakegoodman, on Flickr

Cannon envy

I too doubt the EK2 ribbon would have that much 'white' in it. Obviously nothing on the picture's reverse to give us any clues as to what state etc?

Not often you see awards other than the EK2 being awarded en-masse. Thanks for posting your picture.

The image is too grainy for me to be able to tell what kind of award we are looking at. You mention the possibility of them being a Bavarian award. Here's a good comparison photograph depicting an EK2 beside a Bavarian Military Merit Cross (Militär-Verdienstkreuz).

I could use one of these in the backyard.

We all could.

There's a fellow here in Victoria with a Minenwerfer mailbox!

Linkage

Remarkably detailed photos - a very handy reference source. Thanks for postin' them.

Letter on reverse authored 25.7.1917. Admin stamp from Sturmabteilung 239 Inf. Div. Postage cancelled the same day.

Sturmtruppen (Sturm-pioniere?) astride what the author describes on reverse as a "merry-go-round". The apparatus, constructed from a wagon wheel, axle and four long wooden poles is more likely to be a training tool rather than a plaything. Notice hardly any of the men on the thing are smiling. They are wearing leather reinforced trousers, puttees and lace-up boots, kit items favoured by assault troops.

Opinions are welcomed.

A couple of "old farts" from my collection:

I recieved the books last week...

but unfortunately no infos about that mistery chevron

I'm saving up just for the POSTAGE to Australia :D

Better late than never. Another view of the Hotchkiss revolving canon:

Hi Brett!

Yes, I also couldn´t get any informations in several german forums. One possibility is, that he was a "Handgranatenwerfer". Some soldiers marked themselves with those unofficial patches, like stars or letters. Why not a chevron?

I stil hope I coud get some infos about the unit because of the studio, the pic was taken. Maybe somebody has photos with that background, and the studio is named? Any small references could help!

If you have a spare € 169,90, the answer may be in here: Die feldgraue Uniformierung des deutschen Heeres 1907–1918 :cool:

Has no-one an idea, please?

I've scoured my references and have drawn a blank - sorry, no help whatsoever. I did however want to make mention that I have compared your picture to the one on page 251 of Woolley's book and wish to congratulate you on the background / table pickup. Well spotted. Definitely the same studio.

Regards,

- Brett

Here goes:

I'm sure I have more, just have to find 'em.

Cheers!

Kgl. Bayer. 5. Infanterie-Regiment Großherzog Ernst Ludwig von Hessen, 4th Royal Bavarian Division.

A quick Google search ... During World War I, the Division served on the Western Front. It fought in the Battle of the Frontiers against French forces in the early stages, and then participated in the Race to the Sea, fighting along the Somme and in Flanders, including the First Battle of Ypres.

It remained in the trenchlines in Flanders and the Artois, and fought in the Second Battle of Artois and the Battle of Loos in 1915. In 1916, the Division fought in the Battle of the Somme. In 1917, the division fought in Flanders, including in the Battle of Messines and the Battle of Passchendaele. For most of 1918, the Division remained in Flanders, fighting at Armentières, Kemmel, Hébuterne, and Monchy-Bapaume.

Late in the year, the Division went to the Champagne region, where it faced the Allied Meuse - Argonne Offensive. After more fighting along the Aisne and the Aire, the division was withdrawn from the line, and spent the last week of the war on border defense in southern Bavaria and Tyrol. Allied intelligence rated the Division as first class and of the highest quality.

One of mine: