Oberstleutnant Freund and Ostertag

[Chris Boonzaier]

I am getting a doc signed by Oberstleutnant Ostertag, Chef des Stabes Etappen Kdo 4. Armee.

Unfortunately without a date.

It is important to be able to date this document and I was wondering if anyone knew just when he held that position?

Major, later Oberstleutnant ernst Freund commanded the Landsturm batln I Essen in November 1914... Does anyone know where he went afterwards?

Thanks

Chris

[Daniel Krause]

Hi Chris,

Ostertag was Roland, born 1869, died 1916

in 1914 Major GGR 2

Freund was the Commander of Landwehrbezirk II Essen before the war. retired as LtCol

Viele Grüße

Daniel

[Dave Danner]

According to the Ehrenrangliste, Ostertag died on 23.6.16 in Gent. Ch.d.Gen.St.d.Et.Insp. 4 is listed as his last position. He started the war as a battalion commander in GGR 2, so if someone has a regimental history, that might have more information. On 27 May 1915, he is shown as an OTL v.d. Armee, commanded to the Gesandtschaft im Haag (at least I think it's him; I don't see another OTL Ostertag). So the best I have is sometime after May 1915 and before June 1916.

Freund was still listed commander of the Landsturm battalion on 18.9.15 when he received a Patent as Major. He is still a Major z.D. in the 1919 Dienstaltersliste, so the OTL was probably a retirement bump.

That's all I can add.

[Dave Danner]

I spoke (figuratively) too soon. I can add something:

1. Ldst.-Inf.-Btl. Essen VII/60 became IV./LdstIR 39 on 4.6.16. It later moved to LdstIR 38, becoming its III.Btl. I don't know the exact date, but probably around May 1917, when LdstIR 39 became a Württemberg regiment. That would put it in the 19th, then the 48th Landwehr-Divisions. So if there are unit histories for any of these, those might help.

Of course, I have no idea if Freund was still with the battalion when these changes happened, but maybe a unit history would say.