IrishGunner

Hessian Jaeger or Schuetzen regiment? Maybe... Kurhessisches Jäger-Bataillon Nr. 11?

Duh... The badge on his cap is for the Karpathenkorps... Not a regiment. Forget what I said above...

What are you using as material for the plume? Doesn't look like horse hair...

It's been mentioned in other topics that next year will be the 100th anniversary of the start of the Great War or World War I. Of course, 100 years ago this month, Europe was witnessing the middle of the First Balkan War, which also had Serbia at the core of it's ignition. The Great War or World War I provides the backdrop to many (dare I say most) of our discussions of medals, photographs, weapons, and militaria here on GMIC. The Great War is a the source and foundation for many of our common collecting interests. Therefore, I propose a discussion of the events over the next 19 months - leading up to August 2014, the 100th Anniversary of the outbreak of the Great War - on or close to their anniversary dates. Questions could be... At what point was war inevitable? At what point could war have been averted? What are the interesting pre-war side events or anecdotes that set-up later something more interesting during the war itself (the development of a weapon, the promotion/assignment of a particular officer) - we all have these interesting little tid-bits in our reseach.

To start, it is my supposition that the Great Powers were already inclined to fight a war in 1912-13 and had they felt more ready for war at the outbreak of the Balkan Wars 1912-13, World War I would have started in 1912 instead of 1914.

On 18 October 1912, Peter I of Serbia declared to his Kingdom that the Turkish government showed no interest in the rights of its citizens in the Balkans and that the situation had become unbearable. He called upon Bulgaria, Greece, and Montegnero to join him in the Balkan League to oust Turkey from the penninsula. There was no doubt as to rising Serb nationalism and as to Belgrade's willingness to go to war to satisify Serb aspirations. This was already a great concern to Austria-Hungary. The Ottoman Empire long had been in decline and the question of what to do with the "Dying Man of Europe" was a frequent question. Russia encouraged the Balkan League and saw it as a way of extending Moscow's influence in the region - even at the cost of Austria-Hungary. But unlike more than 50 years prior when Britain and France fought the Crimean War to limit Russian influence in the decaying Ottoman Empire, none of the Great Powers, Britain included, seemed to really care this time about tossing the Turks out of Europe. There were half-hearted diplomatic attempts by the Great Powers to prevent action by the Balkan League; mainly because France wasn't feeling ready for war in 1912 and couldn't get a clear statement of support from Great Britain in case of war.

But perhaps the most important event that prevented the Great War from starting in 1912-13, was the non-result of the German Imperial War Coucil of 8 December 1912. Both Wilhelm II and Army Chief of Staff von Moltke agreed that if a war were necessary, the sooner the better. However, according to the Navy Chief, Admiral von Tirpitz, the Imperial Navy wouldn't be ready for war until mid-1914. Wilhelm II ultimately sides with von Tirpitz and there is no decision for war in 1912. Interestingly, as a result of this meeting, Berlin informs Austria-Hungary in a message that Germany will not be ready for war until the summer of 1914 - a foreshadow of councils to come. Austria-Hungary stays out of the Balkan Wars 1912-13 - for the time being.

A side note, Field Marshall Alfred Graf von Schlieffen - architect of the Schlieffen Plan, Germany's blueprint for the launching the Great War - died 100 years ago yesterday on 4 January 1913. Against the backdrop of the Balkan Wars, one can only imagine the side-bar discussions among German officers at von Schlieffen's funeral at the Invalidenfriedhof in Berlin. (I imagine there was no commemoration in Berlin this week?) Von Schlieffen's alleged dying words: "Remember: keep the right wing very strong."

And one for a paratrooper serving in Fallschirm.Art.Rgt 1 and won the EK II at Monte Cassino...

I like this one...

Thanks for the info on the helmets...

I thought that the Philippines was a US territory during that time, thus should receive(in my logic) the US version of that medal. I am very suprised to see this.

Ahhh, logic...

Indeed, the Philippines were an "unincorporated" territory - meaning they were merely a possession and not considered an integral part of the United States (and therefore under the jurisdiction of the Consitution). So, in that logic - they weren't the US at all and should have their own medal. Actually, the Philippine Autonomy Act was passed in 1916, which basically indicated the US intent to allow the Philippines to become independent at some point. So, in that logic...

Ahhh, logic...

Found this... From the 1922 edition of The Numismatist, Vol 35

http://books.google.com/books?id=RpcUAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA554&img=1&zoom=3&hl=en&sig=ACfU3U2EYddaAz0nE4lOKgE19PVYPjkHkA&ci=115%2C633%2C816%2C445&edge=0

Have also read that only 6,000 were issued... While it wasn't referenced as such, that may come from Laslo.

It's been my impression, that the US Army has always had relatively practical "field" headgear... So, I've always wondered why the US Army adopted these helmets... Do you know the history of why these were adopted? How long were they in use?

This is a nice 1870/71 document.

Out of curiosity, why is the 2nd Bavarian Jäger a favorite unit...?

(PS: If you ever come across an artillery 1870/71 doc - remember me...)

I'm not convinced this must be the Bulgarian... might it not be some medal of a chamber of industry and commerce, or something similar?

Of course, we can't conclusively rule out "some medal of a chamber of industry and commerce, or something similar," but do you have any examples? There are, indeed, precedents for ribbons of Bavarian medals in this non-military direction to be something other than the usual Bayern blau/weiss - for example the 1910 Agricultural Jubilee Medal...

Obviously, this isn't the medal on the bar - I provide it only as an example that Bavaria used other color ribbons - including green/red. But I can't find any Bavarian medal with the subject ribbon. Given the white, green red of our subject ribbon - the usual suspects would be Bulgarian, Hungary, or Italy. Of those, the closest is the Bulgarian Civil Merit and it seems to make sense on this bar - considering the lack of a MVK and the presence of the fireman's medal. In my neophyte opinion, of course. Nonetheless, there is still room for doubt ad you are correct - the word "must" is too strong. But the Bulgarian Civil Merit is the "most" likely suspect presented so far...

I agree with Uwe that it's the Bulgarian Order for Civil Merit... Variation in what appears to be proportions could simply be manufactuer's variation.

It comes in six (6) classes and one of the lower classes would make sense for this bar...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orders,_decorations,_and_medals_of_Bulgaria

Here's a 4. Class that sold on bulgariamedals:

Because of the fireman's medal, I thought it was similar to the Austria Hungary PRO DEO ET PATRIA Veteran's Medal non-combatant ribbon.... But not that one either because the green and red are separated by white.

We just had a discussion of this medal: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/topic/56668-curious-medal-bar-and-a-question/

This was a mainly Polish cemetery, but the name Kapusta could be Czech, Slovak or Polish.

Coincidentally, the word "Kapusta" means "cabbage" in Polish.

Great photo actually. Amazing find as Chris states...

would have rubbed shoulders with a bunch of future "higher" guys....

Among other parts...

Sorry, couldn't resist...

I want to see some pics of Chris' hardware... nooo not THAT hardware....

Yea, some photos of his MGs would definitely help get this back on topic...

Yes... AND a 08/15 and a Lewis....

So Irish Gunner dont know what he talkin about!!!

Woman walk into my war room... she fall in love right away!!!

Yea, I can see how she'd fall in love with the MG - it's has a hard hot barrel when it really gets going. You on the other hand...

Look at that photo... Even in death, this guy has you beat.

Sorry, Chris, but I think this guy is "The Man"

Ahhh... but I am not just "One man".... In my own mind, I am "The Man!"

Welcome, George... We hate to be the Grinch... But hang around and it will be better...

Three of my Wagners...

PS: Nice EKs

Let's keep it going. What can one say about this curiosity?

Well, since I have no clue...I'll make an "obvious" guess... the HK w/o swords is incorrect on this bar.

Chris is correct. Kudos to you!

The Hungarian dingus has no swords. It's the only one I've ever seen. it was a sort of "why bother" thing, but this recipient must have been proud of the splinter he picked out of some Austro-Hungarian nun's finger... especially to go to the trouble of having it mounted.

So, out of curiosity then... Have you seen the medal w/swords mounted on a non-combatant ribbon? Or would that simply be "fantasy"?

So.... the answer is: Wilhemskreuz is the only non-combatant award with swords. Service in the homeland vice at the front?

Wilhelmskreuz mit Schwertern – für Verdienste im Krieg in der Heimat

A non-combatant's bar... EK2 non-cbt ribbon, HK without swords, Austro-Hungarian Pro deo Patria non-cbt medal ribbon..

Except shouldn't the Wuerttemburg Wilhelmskreuz be "ohne Schwerter"?