The Prussian

Hello! I´m looking for informations about the german Major Albert Paul du Vignau (born 29.9.66) Don´t confuse him with his brother Guido Rudolf Gustav du Vignau! In 1913 he retired as Major in Inf.Rgt.158. From 24.12.14-30.12.14 (six days!) he lead the 1st Battailon of Res.Inf.Rgt.270. Then he appeared at the Cannakale-Front. One source says, he became a turkish Lt.Col. and served with the turkish 58th Infantry-Regiment. Then it´s getting dark... I couldn´t find any information of him in the turkish army and I couldn´t get any informations of that regiment in 1915/16. I only know, the regiment was part of the 19th Division in January 1915. Then I´ve found several sources, that the regiment was transfered to the 6th Army Corps. Some sources also say, it was in 24th. and/or 16th. Division. Does anyone know, in which divisions that regiment was in mid 1915 until 1916 and something about that german officer? He survived the war and died 1935 in Berlin. Thanks a lot in advance!

Hello Tony! For me, this is the 260mm mortar from Schneider, which was only supplied to Italy. That would also fit with the Italian-looking picture. The struts are probably an additional improvement to the chassis, which was also completely overloaded on the 220mm mortars. They were probably only allowed to be pulled at a maximum speed of 5 km/h, otherwise there was probably serious damage. This meant that marching infantry could easily overtake the carriages.

Great collection!

Hello! I think it´s: Ausreise (Depature) and Heimreise (Journey home)

RIR246 and RIR248 also had one... Unfortunately I don´ t have 248. Here 246:

Hello! Very nice bar! Congrats! I´m not sure, when exactly the medal was introduced, but they were awarded for the battles in Flanders 1914/15

SOLVED! Private 1st class Sigmund "Frank" Piatasik from Buffalo, NY. Born May 1, 1897, died Jan.29, 1962. Enlisted date (Columbus Barracks, Ohio): July 21, 1916, discharged Dec.12, 1919, enlisted (probably volunteered) Dec.13, 1919, honourable discharged Jan.24, 1923 Grades: Mechanic May 17, 1917, Private July 10, 1919, Mechanic Aug.25, 1919 Stations: H comp. 28th. Inf. to Jan.2, 1918 A comp, 3rd. MG-Btl. to Aug.12, 1919 MG comp., 8th. Inf. to discharge Uniform: Collar badge: Crossed rifles for infantry A = 3rd army, later American Forces Germany Chevron for Private 1st class, underneath patch for "Mechanic" Six oversea-service-chevrons (for three years), overseas-service from Jun.12, 1917 until discharge One service-stripe for three years service time in the army In his records the name Frank is not mentioned. Probably he called himself "Frank" as a nickname, because Sigmund sounded too much "german"? The 8th. Inf. first belonged to the 8th. Div. When the division was disbanned, the regiment remained in the AFG in Koblenz from June 1919 until Jan.25, 1923, when the "USAT St.Mihiel" left Antwerp and arrived Feb.7, 1923 in Savannah, Georgia So he was discharged one day before he left Europe. I hope the state still paid for the crossing...😁

Hello! I received this nice photo from a GI, taken 1921 in Koblenz. 1921, in Koblenz was the HQ of the US Army. We see a soldier from the 3rd US Army with six oversea-service-chevrons (for three years) Does anyone know, what the crossed hammers underneath the Lance-Corporal chevron means? I also don´t know the single diagonal stripe below the oversea-chevrons. How is he called? S. Frank ??? Thanks a lot in advance.

Hello! I´m not sure... IR68 was hungarian one. From 1903-1914 the regiment and its bataillons were in different towns. By example Budapest, Sarajevo, Szolnok, Semlin and Zemun. I coulnd´t find a match with the coat-of-arms. Check this out: https://www.richard-militaria.at/militaria-bis-1918/kappen-und-patriotische-abzeichen/54310/k.u.k.-kappenabzeichen-rad-8-b.4.-reitende-artillerie-division-8.-batterie-4.

Hello Jan! I checked the ranklist again. The only one I found was an Oberleutnant Michaelis in Kamerun. Could you please show us the paper with the name?

Great collection, Chris! An immense personal file can be found at Ancestry

Hello Jan! I coudn´t find a Michell in the ranklist of honour. Do you know his last rank or unit?

No-one? 😭

Hello! I´ve got this nice photo of a gun, maybe a howitzer? I checked my books and the internet, but I couldn´t find this one. Because of the house in the background the photo could have been taken in Italy. It seems to be about a 155m. It looks like a french 155mm M17, but the counterweight is half-round. Normally they were square. Maybe italian 210 or 260mm? Note the additional "bars" at the wheel. For what? Unfortunatly I can´t read the letters, it reads like a M224 or anything else. Thanks a lot for your help!

Hello! According to the ranklist of honour there was only one General Freiherr v. Schaky auf Schönfeld recalled in WWI. The one who served in 1870/71. Unfortunately the are no first names, but Maximilian had the Iron Cross of 70/71. In 14/18 he was Commanding Officer of Munich. Later General of the cavalry a.D. (a.D. = außer Dienst = off duty)