Army of Hesse in World War I

[Dave Danner]

One of the web page projects I had been working on was to better describe the armed forces of the various German states when I described the medals of the state. This would help both in giving greater color to the story behind the medal, and also in identifying possible units for particular medals and combos.

Unfortunately, this has turned into something which is both too much and too little at the same time. Too much in the sense of a long-winded description that gets in the way of just seeing the medals, but too little in that you really can't provide an encyclopedic guide given the resources available.

Anyway, today I started typing up a quick summary of one state's military, as an update, to see how the new framework would look. After about 6 pages, I realized it might be too much. And yet there still seem to be glaring omissions. Any feedback would be appreciated.

The state in question is the Grand Duchy of Hesse. I picked it to start out because it is not as big a project as the five major states which raised multiple divisions, but has more to it than some of the smaller states.

http://home.att.net/~ordersandmedals/germany/hessearmy.htm

By the way, in a less detailed approach, I also expanded the section on the Bavarian Army on its page to include more than just the regular army: http://home.att.net/~david.danner/militaria/bavaria.htm#2

The story of the Bavarians in the war could fill a book, so this is an even more cursory summary than Hesse.

I also expanded Anhalt: http://home.att.net/~david.danner/militaria/anhalt.htm#2

This might be a more minimalist approach for a smaller state.

Of course, the lack of images of a lot of decorations is still the biggest problem for the web site.

[Daniel Murphy]

Dave,

I like what you are doing with this. In addition to researching the orders and decorations, one can do some basic research the units of that particular duchy, principality, etc. and where they served. I personally find myself using your site quite often and look forward to these changes. Since you say this is "Too much in the sense of a long-winded description that gets in the way of just seeing the medals" perhaps you could just give an overview on the main page for that area (as you always have) and provide a link for further in depth info on the units themselves. This would satisfy both those there to "see the medals" and those who wish to see some more in depth info on the units. I don't have a lot in the way of Orders and decorations, but if I have anything you can use, I would be glad to supply you with images of them. Since you supply so much help to the collecting community, I believe other members would feel the same way. Can you post a list of the orders and decorations for which you need images?

Dan

Edited December 7, 2006 by Daniel Murphy

[Paul H1]

One of the web page projects I had been working on was to better describe the armed forces of the various German states when I described the medals of the state. This would help both in giving greater color to the story behind the medal, and also in identifying possible units for particular medals and combos.

Unfortunately, this has turned into something which is both too much and too little at the same time. Too much in the sense of a long-winded description that gets in the way of just seeing the medals, but too little in that you really can't provide an encyclopedic guide given the resources available.

Anyway, today I started typing up a quick summary of one state's military, as an update, to see how the new framework would look. After about 6 pages, I realized it might be too much. And yet there still seem to be glaring omissions. Any feedback would be appreciated.

The state in question is the Grand Duchy of Hesse. I picked it to start out because it is not as big a project as the five major states which raised multiple divisions, but has more to it than some of the smaller states.

http://home.att.net/~ordersandmedals/germany/hessearmy.htm

By the way, in a less detailed approach, I also expanded the section on the Bavarian Army on its page to include more than just the regular army: http://home.att.net/~david.danner/militaria/bavaria.htm#2

The story of the Bavarians in the war could fill a book, so this is an even more cursory summary than Hesse.

I also expanded Anhalt: http://home.att.net/~david.danner/militaria/anhalt.htm#2

This might be a more minimalist approach for a smaller state.

Of course, the lack of images of a lot of decorations is still the biggest problem for the web site.

Dave,

Funny timing this. I just completed a study of the pre-war organization of XVIII. AK (Hessen) and a map to go along with it. Your information for 25. division looks spot on.

Best Regards,

Paul