The Prussian

Das ist das Kaffehaferl des k.u.k. Marineoberstleutnant Rudolf Slezak, meines Großvaters That´s the coffee-cup of the k.u.k. Naval-Lt.Col. Rudolf Slezak, my grandfather A Kaffehaferl is an austrian word for coffee-cup Inside of this book you´ll find him. Unfortunately the names-index ends with "Sch", so I couldn´t find him. You´ll have to read the entire book... https://ia802704.us.archive.org/20/items/rangundeinteilu03marigoog/rangundeinteilu03marigoog.pdf

I didn´t know Rick personally; just a little bit by writing emails. But this story underlines my opinion of this wonderful man!

Hallo Stefan! Das kann man so nicht sagen. Die 07/10er wurden auch den ganzen Krieg über getragen. Könntest Du das ganze Bild mal zeigen? Ich sehe nämlich sehr, sehr wenig Kokarden...

I can add these photos.

Here is my collection.

Very nice pieces, Chris, but unfortunately stil not a proof, that the crowned EW was worn in 14-18. I like the 1814-1964 one! It reminds at the battle of Badonviller 12.8.1914

Hello! The Marine-Rangliste 1914 shows an Oberleutnant z.S. v. Fischel on the SMS Hannover and an Admiral v. Fischel à la suite of the "Seeoffizierkorps". In 1918 we have an Kapitänleutnant v. Fischel with EK I

Hello! We can´t say it for sure, but 99% it´ll be your guess!

Hi Chris! I read: Meiner lieben Schwärgerin Lisi von ihrem Schwager Karl Seinberger (or Steinberger), Pionier-Leutnant, Res. gewidmet Augsburg, April 1915 herzlichen Gruß In the ranklists I´ve just found a Karl Leinberger from bavarian 1st Pionier-Bataillon. BUT... Leutnant in 1900, Oberleutnant in 1908, Hauptmann in 1914 probably another one... This one wears the uniform of the General-Staff (Pionier-Korps)

Hi Chris! According to the cocarde, I assume he´s Hessian. And we don´t see bavarian buttons.

An interesting article, Brian! There was a book published about that: "Military Blunders", by Saul David (Constable &Robinson LTD, London, 1997)

Oh, I think I´ve found the wrong one... Sorry... Here is the right one(because of the medals): Ranklists: 1870/71: Seconde-Lieutenant Unteroffizier-Schule Weißenfels, 4.Komp., and Inf.Rgt. 83, 11.Komp., EK II, Militär-Ehrenzeichen 2.Kl. 1876/77: Premier-Lieutenant Inf.Rgt. 83, 10.Komp. 1879: like 1876/77, 9.Komp., Waldecksche Militär-Verdienst-Kreuz 3.Kl. 1883: Hauptmann Inf.Rgt.83, 3.Komp., Lippisches Ehrenkreuz 4.Kl. 1886: like 1883 1890: like 1883, 13.Komp., Dienstauszeichnungskreuz 1895: Major Inf.Rgt. 143, III.Bataillon, Roter-Adler-Orden 4.Kl. 1899: Oberstleutnant z.D., Kommandeur Landwehrbezirk Saargemünd 1900: like 1899, Kronenorden, 3.Kl. Sorry for the first mistake...

Hi Dave! I´ve found this offficer. There is a link of him, but I think, some infos are changed... https://www.geni.com/people/Carl-Axel-Melcher-Wachtmeister-af-Bj%C3%B6rk%C3%B6/6000000007462006066 In the link he is listed in Inf.Rgt.143 and later Landwehr Saargemünd, but the ranklists showed different medals! There were two Freiherr von Wachtmeister and the internet source seems to mix them both... I mentioned always the added medals in each ranklist. Ranklists: 1870/71: Premier-Lieutenant Inf.Rgt.18 in Glatz, Adutant, Füsilier-Bataillon, Roter-Adler-Orden 4.Kl. with swords 1876/77: Premier-Lieutenant Inf.Rgt.18 in Glatz, 9th comp., EK II 1879: Captain, Inf.Rgt.18 in Glatz, 9th comp. 1883: like 1879 1886: like 1879, Dienstauszeichnungskreuz 1890: Major Fü.Rgt.34 in Stettin, commander II.Bataillon, 1895: Oberstleutnant Gren.Rgt.9, Staff, Kronen-Orden 3.Kl.

Here is an example with a 3 upon the collar

The Cas.List is from jan. 15. That couldn't fit too

Is it him? Inf.Rgt.168? http://des.genealogy.net/search/show/1329494

Probaly... That´s because I didn´t write more. The battle was october, 9. But in the period, you asked for, there were a lot of changings of the divisions. By the way here a few examples. September, 20 Group Ypern Trench-divisions: 208.Inf.Div., 36.Inf.Div., 2.Garde-Res.Div., 121.Inf.Div Task-force: 234.Inf.Div., 236.Inf.Div. Group Wytschaete Trench-divisions: b.Ers.Div., 9.Res.Div. Task-force: b.16.Inf.Div. September, 26 Group Ypern Trench-divisions: parts of 10.Ers.Div., 23.Res.Div., 3.Res.Div. Task-force: 234.Inf.Div., b.4.Inf.Div., 236.Inf.Div. Group Wytschaete Trench-divisions: 50.Res.Div. Task-force: 17.Inf.Div. October, 4 Group Ypern Trench-divisions: b.6.Inf.Div., 10.Ers.Div., 20.Inf.Div., 4.Garde-Inf.Div. Task-force: 187.Inf.Div., b.4.Inf.Div., 45.Res.Div. Group Wytschaete Trench-divisions: 19.Res.Div., 25.Inf.Div. Task-force: 8.Inf.Div. October, 9 Group Dixmude Trench-divisions: part sof 119.Inf.Div., 18.Inf.Div. Task-force: 240.Inf.Div. (replaced by 227.Inf.Div.) Group Ypern Trench-divisions: b.6.Inf.Div. (changed place with 187.Inf.Div.), 167.Inf.Div., 195.Inf.Div., 233.Inf.Div., parts of 22.Res.Div. Task-forcve: 187.Inf.Div., 10.Ers.Div., 20.Inf.Div. , 45.Res.Div. Group Wytschaete Trench-divisions: b.10.Inf.Div., parts of 22.Res.Div., parts of 25.Inf.Div. Task-force: 15.Inf.Div. October, 12 Group Dixmude Trench-divisions: 18.Inf.Div., parts of 27.Inf.Div., 187.Inf.Div., parts of 227.Inf.Div., 240.Inf.Div., 16.Inf.Div. Task-force: parts of 187.Inf.Div., 27.Inf.Div., parts of 240.Inf.Div., parts of 227.Inf.Div., 10.Ers.Div. Group Ypern Trench-divisions: 195.Inf.Div., parts of 220.Inf.Div., 233.Inf.Div. Task-force: parts of 220.Inf.Div.

Hello Andreas Please have a look here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Poelcappelle "German defensive preparations"

Hello Jock and Bernhard! Yes, it´s Lichtmeßtrupp. We see that term in the stamp too. The Artillerie-Meßtrupp was set-up in semptember 1915, and renamed in Lichtmeßtrupp in november 1917. The Artillerieie-Meßtrupps worked for the field- and foot-artillery. Until 1917 there were 177 Meßtrupps. A Lichtmeßtrupp had 5-6 survey stations (11 NCOs and men) and one central survey office (leader, 2 lieutenants, 27 NCOs and men)

Great collection! I´m very impressed!!!! Chapeau!

It's just a guess. ..

Hello! I´d say, its a Panzer IV

Hello! Emil Schäfer, born 17.12.1891 in Krefeld, KIA june 5, 1917 as a pilot in Jasta 28 near Ypres, Zandvoorde. He was downed by lt. Satchell and 2nd Lt. Lewis from 20th squadron. Born in Krefeld, he was prussian. I´m a little bit confused with the Litewka. As far as I know, only bavarian Litewkas had covered buttons, but they had only a single breast-pocket like in this photo, but not the two pockets below. And they didn´t have collar patches...

Yes. Chip said it. ..

Hi Chris! They seem to be quiet rare. Since 19.6.1914 the shoulder boards wore a crown and the initials NC (Kaiser Nikolaus II von Rußland)