Oberst Adolf Keutner

[joerookery]

I have this picture of the individual and his wife. However, I know nothing about him. Besides the names of his children. Is it possible that someone could look him up and tell me he is? Thank you in advance.

ps1856 by joerookery, on Flickr

Oberst Adolf Keutner and his wife Hedwig Keutner

Adolf Keutner, Vater von Magda, Philipp, Irma u, Fritz; Fritz gefallen 1914 [KIA 1914]

[Glenn J]

Hi Joe,

Oberst Adolf Keutner (19 December 1836-20 October 1900). He commanded the 3. Pommersches Feldartillerie-Regiment Nr. 17 between 20 March 1888 and 10 August 1891. He won his EK1 as a Premier-Lieutenant in Feldartillerie-Regiment Nr. 10. He was not originally a Prussian officer, commissioned in 1859 in the Austrian Army. He had served with the Austrian Volunteer Corps in Mexico.

Regards

Glenn

[Dave Danner]

The third medal is the Oldenburg House Order, Knight 2nd Class with Swords, also received in the Franco-Prussian War with FAR 10. He had the DA beginning with the 1878 ranklist, so that would date the photo before then. I'm not sure what the last medal is, maybe the Langensalza Medal or something Austrian?

[joerookery]

Thank you for your help! I posted both of these answers with attribution to the photo on Flickr. Thank you again.

[markpvc1@hotmail.com]

This is an excerpt from the diary of my Great Grandfather Generalmajor Ernst von Chrismar written when he was a young lieutenant under the command of Colonel Keutner in Bromberg in the late 1880's.... 

 

"I had the good fortune to have served under a long list of commanding officers, 

who were excellent soldiers and from whom I learnt a lot.  Not least of all was my commanding officer 

in Bromberg, Colonel Keutner, who was widely known throughout the entire Military as â€œThe Wild 

Man.†  He was a mercenary soldier through and through.  He joined the Austrian Army in Verona in 

1858, and took part in the 1859 campaign in Northern (Upper) Italy, where he cheated death by diving 

out of a window in a Mephisto-like move.  He then went on to fight (for the French) in Africa against the Kabyle people 

(Northern Algeria).  And then in Mexico under (French) General Bazaine (during the French incursion 

into Mexico in 1862 - 1866)  In 1866 he went back to fighting for Austria against the Prussians.  

And in 1870 at the outbreak of the (Franco-Prussian) War he turned up in Berlin, and, when asked by the War Ministry his reason for changing 

allegiance to the Prussian side, answered, â€œbecause just for once I’d like to be on the side that doesn’t 

cop a hiding.† And so it was that he became a first lieutenant in the Prussian Army’s Field Artillery 

Regiment No.10, taking over the role of commanding officer of a battery, whose commander had 

been injured, and entered the war against France.

At the Battle of Orleans he earned the Iron Cross, First Class for leading his battery at full charge 

into the market square of a small village occupied by the enemy, and wildly firing grapeshot, 

causing mad panic amongst the French troops.  I once asked him, after he had invited me and a 

couple of other lieutenants to join him in a red wine after a hunting ride, what his recipe was to 

win an Iron Cross First Class.  He slapped me on the shoulder and said, â€œFive fingers of red wine, 

my young friend!â€

And how he could spin the greatest yarns as he sat there stroking his full black beard which 

was parted down the middle.  One of his greatest stories  was how on 18th August, 1870, he 

and his battery had gotten to within 1200 paces of the (French) enemy command: â€œSuddenly I 

heard (General) Bazaine voice booming out - in French of course my good fellows - saying â€˜shoot 

that bastard, Keutner, dead, otherwise the battle is lost.  I know that mongrel from Mexico!’â€

[Trooper_D]

Great photos, Joe and thanks for the back story, everyone else.

I wonder why he might have left his last sleeve buttons undone? Was this a military tradition for any units? As this is a portrait photograph I am discounting sloppiness so I suppose it might have been his 'signature', to show that he was a 'roll up his sleeves and getting on with it' kind of guy. Has anyone any thoughts?

[Glenn J]

Trooper,

The lower button on the Brandenburg cuffs of officers was always left unbuttoned until the practice ceased in 1896.

Regards

Glenn

[IrishGunner]

Great to have the diary description of the man in the photo. Priceless history

[Trooper_D]

The lower button on the Brandenburg cuffs of officers was always left unbuttoned until the practice ceased in 1896.

 

Thanks Glenn. In the light of your post, my googling suggests that this practice dates back to the Napoleonic wars. I wonder what the story behind it is?

Edited January 15, 2015 by Trooper_D