Vic Diehl

Chip: Thanks for your response. Will you recommend any reference books that may show their organizational structure with-in the army after 1916. Do you have any information on the rank and file all I ever see is officer information. Do you know of any wartime pictures of the KKfK in action? I am trying to nail down some hard documentation when they actually switched from a paramilitary club to an Army formation. Any leads are appreciated. Full credit will be given to all that help in this endeavor. Vic

I need help from the knowledgeable members of this forum. The Kaiser's High Cabinet established the uniform regulations of this organization. They wore the army uniform, army belt and buckle, shutz truppen helmet and black P08 holster and magazine pouches. Were they actually a military unit or did they retain their para-military status during the final years of World War I?

Here is the Prinz's actual Auto Corp Dagger. You can see the knot is silver with blue and red stripes. For the picture credit Claus Lorenzen.

Drawing of the early DFAC hirschfanger from the Carl Eickhorn Catalog. When the change over was made to the navy style dagger a few more patterns also exist. There was an early closed crown type like the model 1890 cadet dagger and a different open crown in the Bavarian Auto Club daggers. There is much to be learned about these organizations. Research done by Claus Stefanski has determined that the Kaiserliche Auto Club led to the formation of the Imperial Vehicle Corps in 1916.

Yes, this is the later uniform. In this pic he is wearing a dress bayonet. The navy style Auto Club Dagger is worn in the same position.