Soldiers by a mill

[Eduardo]

This postcard shows 8 soldiers by a mill. It is a beautifull photograp by itself. I cannot find any indication in the uniforms that could give a clue of their origen but maybe the reverse has some info. The postal stamp reads "Arma.... batalion 103 - Brief- Stempel - 1 Kompagn..". Maybe the message adds something.

Eduardo

[Eduardo]

Maybe the clue is in this part of the card.

Eduardo

[Chip]

Eduardo,

You are correct. There is not much to go on from the photo. The soldiers are all wearing their Drillich jackets over their tunics, so no information can be gotten from that source. An Armierungs Batl. was a labor battalion. Their nickname was "Schipper", because they dug trenches and did other such work.

Chip

[Chris Boonzaier]

Eduardo,

You are correct. There is not much to go on from the photo. The soldiers are all wearing their Drillich jackets over their tunics, so no information can be gotten from that source. An Armierungs Batl. was a labor battalion. Their nickname was "Schipper", because they dug trenches and did other such work.

Chip

If I am not mistaken they were not even issued weapons?

There is a supeb book about Armierungs units, it was banned in Germany between the wars, but was translated into german.

I think it was called "education before Verdun"

[Eduardo]

Thank you Chip and Chris for the information. I will add it to my files. The setting with the mill in the back is wonderefull.

Eduardo