Our Youngest Lieutenant

[Historyfan]

Hi All,

as I see here are several analysts specialized in old uniforms. I'm loading up an image of my grandfather-in-law (right). He was with the telegraph troops in WWI, and in the family he was known as "our youngest lieutenant". The picture is our only one from wartime. I hope somebody is able to tell us more about his rank.

Background: 1914 he entered the army as an Einjährig-Freiwilliger, went to Berlin, as a telegraphist (perhaps for training at Inspection of Telegraph and Traffic Troops?). In mid-war (1916/17?) he was in Belgium where he was wounded by a grenade splinter and subsequently came into a military hospital in Berlin.

Winfried

[army historian]

You need to indicate which one you are talking about. Also an enlargement of the cap, and shoulder boards would help, and name. Cheers Captain Albert

[Historyfan]

Hello Captain Albert,

the right one. I'm not allowed more uploads here, so please look what I've uploaded to my website:

600 dpi image (5,7 MB):

http://www.vexilli.net/Hilarius/1914...1918%20Leutnant%20Hilarius%20Luedke%20%28re.%29%20im%20I.%20WK%20600.gif

a clip (Tchako & shoulder board, 150 KB):

http://www.vexilli.n...0600%20clip.gif

If there are any problems in accessing, just tell me. I might have to open that directory for the public. Myself I can see th epictures...

Winfried

Edited July 24, 2010 by Historyfan

[Mike Dwyer]

In that particular photo he appears to be a private.

[Chip]

Yes, neither man is an officer. Of course, since he was a one year volunteer before the war, he might have been on a track to become an officer eventually.

Chip

[Historyfan]

Thank you all!

Winfried