The 135th German Infantry - group photo

[Brian Wolfe]

Hello Everyone,

I have purchased a pohoto postcard of a group of soldiers from the 135th German Infantry. I can't seem to find much information on the 135th except for a newspaper article dated August 30, 1914, which places them on the Western Front at that time.

If someone could please translate the sign in front of the soldiers in the photo I would greatly appreciate it.

The officer, or is he an NCO?, has been awarded the EKII.

Thanks for any help you can give me.

Here's the newspaper article.

WIPED OUT A COMPANY

____________

French Bayoneted Germans Whom They Accused of Treachery.

PARIS, Aug. 29. - Among the prisoners who have just died in a hospital at Troyes, Department of Aube, says the Petit Troyes, was a Lieutenant of the 135th German Infantry, whose company had sustained severe losses at the hands of the French troops and had been ordered to surrender. When the French soldiers approached to disarm the Germans the latter separated to let through their ranks machine guns which had been hidden behind, and which poured a murderous fire into the advancing Frenchmen.

Exasperated by this treachery, says the paper, the French troops charged furiously with fixed bayonets and exterminated the German soldiers with the exception of this Lieutenant, who survived for a few days with his jaw fractured and his tounge cut off.

The New York Times, Published: August 30, 1914

Has anyone heard of this incident or knows more about the 135th?

Thanks

Brian

[KIR]

Hi Brian,

here some informations about the 3. Lothringisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr.135:

(XVI. Armee-Korps, 33. Inft.-Division, 67. Infanterie-Brigade / Metz)

Die Schlachten und Gefechte des Regimentes:

22.08.1914-27.08.1914

Schlacht bei Longwy-Longuyon und am L'Othain-Abschnitt

28.08.1914-01.09.1914

Schlacht um die Maas?berg?nge

02.09.1914-03.09.1914

Schlacht bei Varennes - Montfaucon

04.09.1914-05.09.1914

Verfolgung westlich Verdun und durch die Argonnen

10.09.1914-11.09.1914

Nachtangriff bei Heipes

06.09.1914-12.09.1914

Schlacht bei Vaubecourt - Fleury

17.09.1914-24.09.1914

Schlacht bei Varennes

25.09.1914-05.08.1916

Kampf im Argonnerwalde

09.08.1916-09.09.1916

Schlacht bei Verdun. K?mpfe um Fleury

10.09.1916-13.09.1916

Stellungsk?mpfe vor Verdun

14.09.1916-20.11.1916

Kampf im Argonnerwalde

15.12.1916-30.01.1917

Stellungsk?mpfe an der Somme

01.03.1917-22.04.1917

Kampf im Argonnerwalde

22.04.1917-28.05.1917

Doppelschlacht Aisne - Champagne

05.06.1917-07.10.1917

Kampf im Argonnerwalde

08.10.1917-06.01.1918

Stellungsk?mpfe in der Champagne

Source: http://www.denkmalprojekt.org/2008/vl_ir_1...fiziere_wk1.htm

Best regards,

Jens

[Brian Wolfe]

Hello Jens,

Many thanks for that wonderful information.

Cheers

Brian

[Kev in Deva]

The sign in front denotes they are members of:

the (?) Corporal School of the

III Kompanie of Infantry Regiment 135.

Kevin in Deva :cheers:

[Glenn J]

Korporalschaft = Section or Squad

Regards

Glenn

[KIR]

... hmm, I think the "sch" is for "-schaft" and not for "-schule" = Korporalschaft.

the first letters I also can't read - maybe it is just a number???

Best regards,

Jens

[joerookery]

Most of the group pictures that are seen are a training class held in the depot system.

A German platoon was made 8 Gr?ppen each of eight to 10 men. A group of two Gr?ppen was known as a Korporalschaft. A Korporalschaft was led by an Unteroffiziere. Therefore, a platoon had four Korporalschafts. Once they were in a Kaserne, a group of recruits would live in a big room known as a Stube. Trainees were divided one Korporalschaft for each Stube. Many of those pictures show a Korporalschaft or a Stube.