AOK4

That is in 1918 as a German soldier...

Well, since it doesn't even have a Finnish Liberty Medal (to go with the Finnish War Medal), I think it is very improbable...

Hello,

Basically, you could not have both classes. I think it is a fake bar, especially since the bar doesn't have the Finnish Memorial Medal...

Jan

Hello,

My information comes from: Cron, Hermann. Die Organisation des deutschen Heeres im Weltkriege. Forschungen und Darstellungen aus dem Reichsarchiv Heft 5. Berlin, 1923.

Regards,

Jan

Hello,

If I am not mistaken, a private in a Sturm-Bataillon was called "Grenadier". I would say it would make sense that some may have added "Sturm" to specifically refer to a private of a Sturm-Bataillon in comparison to a private of any Grenadier unit.

Jan

There are also documents signed by Freiherr von Podewils during time of absence of v. Kress and v. Hellingrath.

According to me, this one (to Hermann Mahl) is signed by Speidel and not Podewils...

1,2 and 5 are Belgian, 3 and 4 are Bavarian (double tailed lion), 6 is Dutch. If I'm not mistaken.

Hello,

More info about the 2 inch mortar can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2_inch_Medium_Mortar

Jan

Hello,

I guess the rumours refer to parts of the archives having been moved already before WW2 to elsewhere: Bavarian, Württemberg and Baden military archives are almost completely preserved today and the saxon military archives are only partly preserved, but more archives are preserved than for the rest of the German army.

The Navy archives are preserved as well since they were kept elsewhere as well.

All this is very well known and these state archives are public.

Jan

Hello,

It's is not an "F" but a "T" and the badge refers to the Telegraphentruppen. In 1856, a Feldtelegraphen-Abteilung was established within the Garde-Pionier-Bataillon.

In 1926, the Telegraphentruppen existed for 70 years. This badge was probably issued for some veteran's meeting.

Jan

Hello,

As the BMVK3 is more or less the equivalent of the IC2, it is often referred to as Verdienstkreuz 2. Klasse on death cards etc as things were not always that clear to normal people.

Jan

It says Armierungs-Bataillon 132... Very nice picture!

No Bremen Hanseatic Cross is mentioned in the Kriegsranglisten...

He is in Marine-VL 63 (published 2 february 1916): Pschorr, Josef, Gefr. d.S.I - Asch, Kaufbeuren - T.

The Marine-Division (at that point there was still only one of those) fought against the Belgian army in September-October 1914. The Belgian army had withdrawn to Antwerp, while the Marine-Division and a few other units (III. Reservekorps and some Landwehr units) were besieging Antwerp.

Elzenstraat is just North of Mechelen (near St. Katelijne Waver).

I doubt that the guy was in Verdun in June, since he was born in 1897 and has quite a hight company roll number. He would normally be called up only in Spring 1916 and wouldn't be in a frontline unit probably until late 1916...

Here we go:

In the top left corner: "Baldiges Wiedersehen" (will see you soon)

Nisch, August 30, 1916

My dear Ella

Today I received the pretty card with your picture on it - it made me very happy and I thank you very much for it. I send you in return a picture of my comrades and me. It is not a good picture since there are no trained photographers here. Not sure when I get leave, hope soon. What is said at home in regard to my declaration of war, my dear Ella? (Was sagt man zu hause zur meiner Kriegserklärung, liebe Ella?) Thousand greetings and kisses from your Walter.

A small correction: it is: Was sagt man zu Hause zur neuen Kriegserklärung? What are they saying at home about the new declaration of war? (referring to the declaration of war of Romania on 28 August 1916)

I checked the regimental history of RIR 243 and didn't find a picture of him.

I checked ancestry.

The 1st entry is for a Erich Riecke, born in Berlin and serving in 10/IR 168 when he was leicht verwundet somewhere in 1915...

(ancestry only has the Verlustlisten until September 1917, so nothing from 1918 there)

He was not necessarily an officer if he was a young student enlisted in 1917 or something...

And look at what's he selling now...

I don't believe that combination, especially with the lonely Finnish campaign medal. And the ribbons seem very new to me as well.

Hello,

am-militaria seems quite active on eBay selling medal bars that are put together...

This one was sold for 655 euros, but it is put together as the Finnish combination with these medals is very much improbable.

Erkennungsmarke from Fritz Zoppke, born in Mittenwalde 6.5.96, Ers.Abteilung 2. Garde-Feldartillerie-Regiment 1. Batterie Nr. 9/174 and later transferred to 4. E.B. FAR 268 Nr. 71.

This ID disc was found by my grandfather in the fields near Geluveld (Flanders), where FAR 268 had its positions in 1916-1917.

The guy lived until the 1970s (I wrote once to the commune of Mittenwalde to see whether he was killed during the war).

Erkennungsmarke with black and white Prussian cord from a Feldwebelleutnant in LMK 878 (see my topic about Feldwebelleutnant Lange for more stuff).

Erkennungsmarke with black cord from a Feldwebelleutnant in FAR 62 and LMK 878 (see my topic about Feldwebelleutnant Lange for more stuff).

Shoulder boards from a Feldwebelleutnant in LMK 878 (see my topic about Feldwebelleutnant Lange for more stuff). The backing is fieldgray.