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    arb

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    Posts posted by arb

      Unknown paymaster

      in Germany: Imperial: Rick (Research) Lundstrom Forum for Documentation and Photographs

      Posted · Edited by arb

      In an effort to give the forum members a sense of how a name was put to this photo, and what is behind the effort, I submit the following.

      The first thing I did was start with the known. He was in the East Asian Expedition Corps. Now, back in the 1990's, I created a database with all the members of the OEK from its creation in July 1900 through 1901. As the basis of this, I used the Militärwochenblatt because it was an official source and it included all the support personnel required to sustain such an effort far from home, to include the lower officials not found in the Rangliste. I also added the awards that these individuals received prior to and during their service with the OEK.

      Next, I looked for those individuals in my database with one of the awards listed in the initial posting. In this case, the first clue was the PAEz which Mutschall had. Next, I went to the 1904/1905 Deutscher Ordens Almanach and looked up Mutschall, and there he was with 4 of the awards. I then checked the 1908/1909 DOA and saw that he had 5 of the six. But what about the Red Cross Medal? For that, I had to look from the Ordens Liste for mention of the award, and there it was. So, now I confirmed that he had all the awards shown in the photograph. His birth year was given in the DOA. In an effort to further confirm Mutschall was the right man, I went through the "Taschen Kalender für Beamte der Militär Verwaltung" compiled by H. Siekmann (hence the shorthand tile "Siekmann") for the years 1902, 1907 and 1917. Only the 1917 edition showed his Red Cross Medal. Now, for the first time, published verification that he had indeed received that medal.

      Another vital piece of the puzzle was the location of the studio in which the photo was taken- Brandenburg a.H. Looking at his career using the Militärwochenblatt to track his promotions, transfers and awards, I saw that he was located in Brandenburg! I now was convinced he was the right man. This is another example of why we always ask that when posting a photo include the studio name and location!

      For a first name, I went to the Berlin address book and found his name, rank and address. However, before I could add it to the posting, Glenn had already provided us with his name.

      So, it took at least 10 publications, a database created years ago and worked on ever since, a little luck that he lived as long as he did and the patience to put it all together. In the end, it's particularly satisfying to help out a forum member to put a name to a photo, medal/ribbon bar or anything else.

      I would like to emphasize that information, especially from contemporary and official sources, is essential. The more information you have, the more likely your chances for a successful identification. Trust me when I say this is much easier said than done. I've been collecting books, creating and expanding databases since 1993. It's taken years to find the books, more than a few dollars, German Marks, Euros, British pounds, Austrian Schillings and even Czech Crowns to purchase them; untold hours of work on the databases and years of learning how to interpret all this information (both literally and figuratively speaking) to be in a position to solve this little mystery.

      The last point I'd like to make is that this is all great fun, and that's why I enjoy this as much as I do. It's an interesting challenge and it provides a measure of satisfaction not to be found anywhere else.

      So, keep the questions coming.

      Andy

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      Unknown paymaster

      in Germany: Imperial: Rick (Research) Lundstrom Forum for Documentation and Photographs

      Posted · Edited by arb

      I just confirmed that Mutschall did in fact receive the Red Cross Medal 3. Kl. The 1905 Ordens Liste (page 1482) shows that he received it on 11.10.1899. I wonder why it's not in the DOA? His PKrO4 was awarded on 24.10.1901 and PAEz on 17.09.1887. In June 1913 he received the PRAO4. Also, on 13.08.1909 he received the "Charakter als Rechnungsrat." The 1917 Siekmann, page 345, confirms his Red Cross medal. In this book, he is listed as a Rechnungsrat (dated 31.3.1910) and Lazarett Verwaltungsdirektor in Berlin.

      Now, we just need a first name. According to the DOA and Siekmann he was born in 1852.

      Andy

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      Unknown paymaster

      in Germany: Imperial: Rick (Research) Lundstrom Forum for Documentation and Photographs

      Posted

      I would like to suggest that this could be Lazareth Oberinspektor Mutschall. He was twice attached to the OEK and returned to his previous assignment in Brandenburg a.H. (which happens to be the place the photo was taken!).

      That said, there is one small problem. The 1908/09 DOA lists his awards as "D70/71 DChM PrKr4 PrAE PrZM" but no Red cross medal. Five of 6 is not too bad, but not 100% conclusive.

      I'll keep looking to see if he ever got the Red Cross medal.

      Andy

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      Fates Worse Than Death: 2 VERY Bad Germans !

      in Germany: Imperial Uniforms, Headwear, Insignia & Personal Equipment

      Posted

      Since Rick brought this topic back from the dead, so to speak, I thought I'd add this little story.

      I think one of the best examples of a "disgraced" officer coming back from the dead is Erich Böhme. At the beginning of the war, he was a major and Eisenbahn Linien Kommandant in Breslau. He went on to become a char. Gen.Lt. (in 1939 as part of the Tannenberg promotions). He also was awarded the PLM on 07.5.1918.

      He began his career in IR 118 as an Avantageur on 20.07.1882. Not quite ten years later, while still an Lt. in IR 118, he ran afoul of the code of honor and on 20.07.1892 he was cashiered.

      That could easily have been the end of his military career but he submitted a request to the king for permission to reenter the army. That request was granted and on 28.0.1893 he entered FR 37 as an Avantageur. Due to his good conduct he was granted an ante-dated commission as an Oberlt. gaining 2 1/2 years of seniority in 1903. This put him back in line with his original contemporaries and paved the way for his future career.

      I think it speaks quite highly about the willingness of the King and Army to forgive the mistakes of a young officer who was willing to start from scratch to reclaim his career through commitment and dedication to service. That his superiors and the King thought highly enough of his service to bestow the PLM upon this man speaks directly to his abilities.

      While there are several other officers who had a similar setback in their career, I think Bohme's is the best example of a man making the best of the second chance given to him.

      I'll be happy to provide sources should anyone be interested.

      Andy

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      New picture - what awards he received?

      in Germany: Imperial: Rick (Research) Lundstrom Forum for Documentation and Photographs

      Posted

      Marcin,

      You have a nice photo of Major Hans von Knauer. He spent most of the war on various staffs as a general staff officer. He commanded FAR 44 from Jun-Oct 1918. He went on to become a Wehrmacht Gen.Maj. z.V. Of note is the fact he served in the Chilean army from 1927-1937. He then became an instructor at the Kriegsakademie, and also a liaison officer to the Condor Legion in Spain.

      He was born 15.05.1874 and died 01.02.1944.

      I'll leave the awards to the guys who knows those much better than I.

      Andy

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      looking for a career: prussian 11. Dragoon Lieutenant

      in Germany: Imperial: Rick (Research) Lundstrom Forum for Documentation and Photographs

      Posted

      David,

      As a Fähnrich d. Res. from Landw. Bez. IV Berlin, and formerly in Königs Jäg. R.z.Pf. 1, he was promoted to Lt. d. R. d. DR 11 on 16.10.1906 and, from 01.11.1906, he was attached to DR 11 for one year. On 23.06.1907 he was promoted to Lt. (active) in DR 11 with a commision dated 01.11.1906.

      He transferred to HR 12 on 21.12.1909 and then to the 2. GUR on 01.10.1912. In 1914 he that PMEz2. He was promoted Oberlt. 24.12.1914 and Rittm. 06.06.1916. As of 1918 (according to the HR 12 Stammliste) he was a General Staff officer on the staff of 7th army. He died 00.04.1929.

      Andy

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      Hptmn. Hermann Krueger?

      in Germany: Imperial: The Orders, Decorations and Medals of The Imperial German States

      Posted

      Gunnar,

      17.02.1914 is his date of commission. "überzählig" only meant that there was not an official position within the regiment for him to be placed in. At some point, a more senior captain would be promoted or retire thereby opening a position for him. This lack of sufficent positions is why many recently promoted captains changed regiments- there simply was not room for them on the regiment's establishment.

      Andy

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      Sekond Lieutenant Boi Gronau

      in Deutsche Kaiserreich: Man spricht Denglish

      Posted · Edited by arb

      Andreas,

      Nicht all zu viel aber-

      Er wurde am 31.07.1870 zum Sek.Lt. d. Reserve d. 9. Art. Brig. befördert. Am 07.10.1876 nahm er mit Pension seinen Abschied.

      Er war zulezt b.d. Landwehr Fußartillerie des II. Batls. d. Landwehr Regiments 85.

      Die drei Nachträge der Ehrenrangliste geben leider keinen Hinweis auf diesem Sek.Lt. d.R. a.D.

      Andy

      0
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