Can we identify this one?

[Marcin L]

Hi.

I have new arrival just in front of me. Below is a scan.

I think it should be identifiable but of course I need your help here :-)

Kind regards!

Marcin

[paul wood]

What a nice Group, with the Ernestine, FJ and Kitchou clasp should be identifiable. Sounds like something Claudius night have an idea on.

Paul

[Deruelle]

Hi,

A very nice Saxon officer with Albert order knight cross 2nd class.

Christophe

[Marcin L]

Thank you both. I can't locate any regiment located in Reichenbach, that's strange.

[Deruelle]

I have found one officer who, with this rang - Oberleutnant- who received both Saxon and Austrian medals :

Later Major Heinrich Wilibald Benzien

He received the

knight cross 2nd class with X of Albert of Saxe, 22 November 1901,

knight cross 1st class with X on ring of Albert of Saxe, 23 May 1914,

China medal, 1902

Austria Franz Joseph cross 4th class, 29 June 1899,

Bavarian Military Merit order 4th class with X and crown, 7 September 1914,

He died in November 1914.

Christophe

[Dave Danner]

After Willibald Benzien returned from China, he was assigned to IR 134. IR 134 moved to Plauen in Vogtland in 1903.

[Marcin L]

Thank you, Dave. That's what I was also looking for, a regiment.

Does anyone have the regimental history of IR134? Or any idea how he died in 1914 (natural reasons, or War, maybe?).

Regards!

Marcin

[Dave Danner]

When the war started, Maj. Benzien was assigned to the Zentral-Abteilung of the Saxon General Staff in Dresden. He assumed command of Reserve-Jäger-Bataillon Nr. 24 after Maj. Boguslav Scholten was killed in action on 18 November 1914. Maj. Benzien was also wounded soon thereafter and died of his wounds on 29 November 1914.

Edited October 25, 2013 by Dave Danner

[Marcin L]

Well, how do you know? :-) I'd like to know how to research such details, that's why I am asking.

[Dave Danner]

My sources:

• Preußische Verlustliste Nr. 120, 8.1.15

• Königlich Sächsiches Offizierkorps, by Erhard Roth

• Ranglisten der Königlich sächsischen Armee

• Kriegsrangliste des Armee-Oberkommandos 6

• Ehren-Rangliste des ehemaligen deutschen Heeres 1914-1918

Christophe gave you his awards. Here is what I have for his Dienstlaufbahn:

Heinrich Albert Willibald Benzien

*12.10.1872 in Leipzig, †29.11.1914 in Reserve-Lazarett Roulers

12.10.92 eingetreten

24.01.94 Lt., Inf.-Rgt. Nr. 103

09.07.00 Ostasiat.-Exped.-Korps, 2.Ostasiat.-Inf.-Rgt.

27.07.00 OLt.

06.10.01 i.d. Inf.-Rgt. Nr. 134 versetzt

21.05.07 Hptm., k.z. Gr.Gen.St. in Berlin

20.03.08 Adj. 1. sächs. Inf.-Brig.

01.04.10 kdrt. z. Gr.Gen.St. in Berlin

20.03.12 z. Inf.-Rgt. Nr. 134 zurück

25.09.13 z. sächs. Gen.St. versetzt

01.10.13 Maj.

17.08.14 Bahnbeauftragter d. Chefs des Feldeisenbahnwesens zuget. dem AOK 6

09.10.14 dem kgl. sächs. XIX.AK zur Verfügung gestellt

12.10.14 an kgl. sächs. XIX.AK ausgezogen

xx.xx.14 dem Res.-Jäg.-Btl. Nr. 24 zuget.

18.11.14 Fhr. Res.-Jäg.-Btl. Nr. 24

Regards,

Dave

[Chris Boonzaier]

Well, how do you know? :-) I'd like to know how to research such details, that's why I am asking.

You have to become one of the Research Gnomes....

To qualify it takes many years.... The tests are so complicated that I did not even bother to apply....

[Leutwein]

Wow thanks for posting that nice photo.

Here is another photo of Oblt. Benzien. My photo should be taken after his return from China.

Best wishes

Karsten

[Deruelle]

Hi,

After another research, I have found that Benzien received the Baden knight cross 1st class with X of Zähringen Order on 26 November 1914. Only three days before his death. So this medal should appears on his mortuary coffin but never mouted on his medal bar.

Christophe