Kommander Graf Barfus?

[Chris Boonzaier]

Can anyone figure out what this says... it is pretty terrible writing :-(

[Chris Boonzaier]

Two

[The Prussian]

Hi Chris!

I only can read Kdr. Inf.Rgt. Graf Barfuss. That was the Inf.Rgt.17. Dated 24.VIII.1918 The Kommandeur of that regiment in that time was Major Otto Stobbe (24.7.1918-20.1.1919). Under command of the 42th Inf.Div., the regiment just arrived the Champagne front (22nd of august), probably in the Tahure sector

Edited March 19, 2014 by The Prussian

[Dave Danner]

It says "Sommer 1918 als Kdr. Inf. Rgt. Graf Barfuß". Stobbe would make sense, unless it's Eduard v. Kaweczynski, and the photo was taken before Stobbe took over, while the letter itself was dated after. Despite commanding an infantry regiment, Stobbe was a Pionier officer - does that match the uniform? Stobbe didn't get his Pour le mérite until November 1918, so its absence fits.

[Glenn J]

That is Stobbe (and it is a Pionier uniform - Collar Litzen, Black piping, Swedish cuffs).

Regards

Glenn

[Chris Boonzaier]

Hi Guys,

thanks for the efforts.

best

Chris

[The Prussian]

Hello!

Stobbe was Hauptmann in Pi.Btl.8, later commander in IR, later Oberst in the Reichswehr.

BUT, if the photo shows Stobbe, why does he wear Garde-Litzen???

[Glenn J]

Andreas,

he appears to be wearing the Litzen introduced in 1915 for Pionier officers to be worn on the Bluse.

Regards

Glenn

[Chris Boonzaier]

Hi,

Was there a regulation for all pionier officers?

Best

Chris

[The Prussian]

Oh yes! I just read it! I didn´t k now that before! Thank you for that!!!

Kraus writes:
"Sämtliche Pionieroffiziere erhielten nun wieder silberne Doppellitzen, aber in glatter Form wie für Gardeoffiziere..."

(all engineer-officers recieved silver double-litzen, in flat pattern like for guard-officers...) - Kraus, vol.II, page 739