Eiserne Wehr's portrait corner.

[Eiserne Wehr]

Instead of posting multiple dedicated threads of the photographs i would like to share i thought of making this thread if there's no objection to it.

Although my main collection consists of thousands of World war I German soldier graves/graveyard photographs and postcards of it's monuments erected after the war i also own a humble collection of trench knives. During the almost two decades of collecting i picked up some interesting and beautiful portraits featuring at least one soldier sporting a Grabendolch. In most cases the soldier proudly poses with his trench knife prominently in view of the observer. The photograph i would like to start of with is this trio from Konstanz with their knives drawn, the soldier in the middle displays a rarely seen dagger.

 

The next portrait is of an officer of Infanterie-Regiment Graf Werder (4. Rheinisches) Nr. 30.
This photograph is amazing due to the lighting and pose of the soldier, around his shoulder he wears a strapped case for his map. On his privately purchased belt.sits a small pistol on the right, a Grabendolch with an officer Troddel on the left and a water bottle next to it. From the button under the button with the iron cross second class ribbon he appears to have a small braided cord for a whistle. The bouquet could be an attribute chosen by the photographer or he chose it as if by sending this very photograph he sends these flowers to his loved one.

 

[Eiserne Wehr]

Another one of my favourites is this photograph of a soldier of Kgl. Sächs. 9. Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 133. Surrounded by flowers hangs a Taschenlampe from one of his tunic buttons and prominent in view is his Grabendolch hanging on his belt. In the barrel of his rifle he inserted a small patriotic flag on a wooden stick with more flowers attached to it. Fixed on his rifle is an Ersatz Bajonett.

There is not much to say about the following photograph of a soldier of Kgl. Sächs. 7. Infanterie-Regiment König Georg Nr. 106 other than it's a beautiful studio photograph.

[Eiserne Wehr]

This very young looking soldier(i would be surprised if he was even 18 years of age when this photograph was taken) from Braunschweigisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 92 might not have any medals yet but he proudly poses with his Grabendolch with Troddel attached to it's sheath. On his left arm he wears a Trauerflor(mourning armband) and in his right hand a pair of gloves.

 

[Eiserne Wehr]

I am not hundred precent sure but this soldier might be of Infanterie-Regiment „Kaiser Wilhelm, König von Preußen“ (2. Württembergisches) Nr. 120. His facial expression can be interpreted in different ways, to me he looks proud with a hint of uncertainty, which is understandable during a war. His M16 Stahlhelm is painted with camouflage(Mimikry) and tucked away under his right sleeve is a wristwatch.

[Eiserne Wehr]

The following photograph is interesting because you hardly see high ranked personal sporting a Grabendolch. This Oberstleutnant of Oldenburgisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 91. has an iron cross first class pinned on his tunic with a Johanniter Kreuz(?) in the middle and a Friedrich-August-Kreuz first class below that. The second photograph of the same man showed up some time later but was taken before the photograph i own. I did not get this one because he didn't wore his Grabendolch but i kind of regret it now.

 

[Eiserne Wehr]

This soldier is kept warm by a great coat with winter lining, a set of binoculars hanging around his neck and a map case from a strap. On the right side of his belt he wears a small calibre pistol and of course a Grabendolch to finish it off on the left.

Although there is writing on the back, nothing reveals his unit but this photograph was taken in 1917 Galizien(Ukraine). The ladder on the left could be that of a observation post up in the trees. Not sure why a soldier with suboptimal eyesight would be picked as an observer.

 

[Eiserne Wehr]

For a bit of contrast, here's a photograph of a soldier in a tropical uniform wearing a pith helmet with neck protection from the sun attached to it. On his belt on the right sits a pistol holster with a pistol and extra magazine. On the left a Grabendolch and almost on his back a Bajonett, the combination of these edged weapons together is not that common to see on a soldier's belt. It appears he is wearing a set of riding trousers. On the back is written:

Lieber Karl!

Otto ist nun Schon
8 Tage auf der Reise zur
Turkei. Ist noch Wohlauf
heute wer 8 tage forbei wir
in Berlin abscheid genomen
Ich soll dich herzlichst grüßen
mein auch karl Grüßen von
deine Lilli

 

So the name of the soldier on the front is Otto and this photograph that was taking in a Berliner Studio just before he headed off to Turkey. Date unknown.

 

[Jvpi]

Hello Eiserne Wehr,

 

These are some very nice photographs. Thank you for posting them and please continue to do so! I collect cards, photos and CDVs too. Personally I enjoy seeing other people's collections, there is always something new to learn.

 

Best regards,

Jvpi

Edited December 30, 2024 by Jvpi

[91-old-inf-reg]

Eiserne Wehr,

 

I can only add to the praises of such a wonderful and superbly detailed collection! You should be very proud!

It is us getting the treat to lay our collective eyes on such a vast and varied collection! 

In a similar vein to your own collecting desires, I myself have been trying to create a repository of photos, but in my case of 91ers, and you’ve managed to provide me with a second Christmas with this photo!

12 hours ago, Eiserne Wehr said:

The following photograph is interesting because you hardly see high ranked personal sporting a Grabendolch. This Oberstleutnant of Oldenburgisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 91. has an iron cross first class pinned on his tunic with a Johanniter Kreuz(?) in the middle and a Friedrich-August-Kreuz first class below that. The second photograph of the same man showed up some time later but was taken before the photograph i own. I did not get this one because he didn't wore his Grabendolch but i kind of regret it now.

 

 

I think I can say with a degree of confidence that the gentleman shown in this photo is one Oberstleutnant Hans-Hartwig von Ludowig 

 

From what I’ve gathered, the awards line up, the ranks match up with the information I have at hand. 
 

 

Additionally, there is a photo from one of IR 91s regimental histories of him with an entourage of officers with the Erbgroßherzog Nikolaus!

 

 

Thank you again for sharing these phenomenal photos, they are truly amazing!

 

Best regards,

Dan

[Eiserne Wehr]

Thank you guys, there's still plenty to come. 😁

If you have any further information on hand of the photographs shown, please feel free to post it, i would very much appreciate it.

 

Next up is this medic from Landwehr Infanterie Regiment 435, Around his neck hangs a gas mask cannister, on his belt a holster for his trusty Luger P08 and almost out of view sits his Bajonett. In his left jackboot he tucked away his Grabendolch.

On the back he writes about wishing the recipient(Ida) a forehanded happy christmas and also asks if the photographs he send earlier was fancied. Dated 5. december 1916.

 

[Eiserne Wehr]

A proud father with his sons, Flandern Sommer 1917:

 

[Stogieman]

These are wonderful! Thanks for sharing! I don’t think you’ll get the other thread deleted, I don’t see much for Moderator activity these days. I was once and long ago but stepped aside as I drifted away from collecting and the community years back. I’m grateful that Nick always kept me as a member though and I’m very happy to be an active part of this community again!

Please keep these coming, they’re wonderful images!

[Eiserne Wehr]

This Bavarian soldier perks with his Militärverdienstkreuz III. Klasse mit der Krone und Schwertern and Eiserne Kreuz II. Klasse. Sadly there's nothing on the back to provide with any information.

 

[Bernd_W]

16 hours ago, Eiserne Wehr said:

Lieber Karl!

Otto ist nun schon
8 Tage auf der Reise zur
Türkei. Ist noch Wohlauf -
Heute vor 8 Tage haben wir
in Berlin Abschied genommen.
Ich soll dich herzlichst Grüßen,
nun auch frdl. Grüße von
deiner Lilli

frdl. = freundliche

My Guess: Lilli is Ottos wife and sended the card showing Otto, to their friend (perhaps Ottos Brother) Karl.

[Eiserne Wehr]

Kaiser Wilhelm II inspects a group of soldiers of which all wear a M16 Stahlhelm and sport a Grabendolch on their belt, Sturmtruppen perhaps?

[Eiserne Wehr]

A Sergeant with his bicycle in this slightly out of focus photograph but the Grabendolch is in full view. The bicycle looks to be a civilian type, a photograph taking while on leave?

[Eiserne Wehr]

This soldier wears a quite rarely seen Grabendolch with stag grips in a more traditional styled sheath on his belt. This photograph has writing on the back, mostly the usual thanking and greeting but he also describes that at the time the photograph was taken he could hardly see a thing due to the sun. Dated 28. february 1917.

 

[Eiserne Wehr]

The following photograph of a Prussian Leutnant has me guessing, is he of a Grenadier Regiment? The only similar shoulder boards with this style of crown i could find is described as being of SeeBataillon. On the back the text of the printing company or photostudio can only faintly be seen, which i put in it's negative so maybe someone can read it. He reminds me of the ace Wilhelm Frankl (1893-1917). If you know more about this man's branch, please chime in.

 

[Eiserne Wehr]

This stern looking soldier of  I. Kompanie VII. Bataillon Infanterie Ersatz-Truppe Beverloo has a Grabendolch from the manufacturer Backhaus on his belt, it appears to be a brand new one. His Pickelhaube Überzug bares no unit markings so this photograph is taken after 27. oktober 1916.

[Jvpi]

1 hour ago, Eiserne Wehr said:

The following photograph of a Prussian Leutnant has me guessing, is he of a Grenadier Regiment? 

Hi Eiserne Wehr, he is a member of the Seebataillon. He's wearing a standard SB officer's Feldrock and cap (only the imperial cockade), it's nice to see the KM officer's Portepee on his dagger. 

[Eiserne Wehr]

This Austrian soldier from a Kraftstromtruppe(electric power unit) has a German Grabendolch on his belt, this photograph was either made before the K.u.K. M17 Grabendolch was introduced or he just prefers the German type. On his Fieldcap sits a button(Kappenrose) with a 'K' which stands for Kaiser Karl.

[Eiserne Wehr]

The following photograph is of a Bavarian officer with the Militärverdienstkreuz III. Klasse mit Schwertern, Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse, Dienstauszeichnungen Bayern II. Klasse, Verwundetenabzeichen and the Schützenschnüre I. Klasse.
Interesting is the fact that he placed his Grabendolch in a Bajonett scabbard. Although he wrote on the back of this photograph that this photograph is a happy remembrance to his return home, he isn't even showing a hint of a smile.

Text on the back:
Zur Erinnerung
an die glückliche Heimkehr.
Berchtesgaden, Weihnachten 1918
Matthias Ponn/Pann(?)

 

 

[Eiserne Wehr]

An officer on horseback with a Grabendolch on his belt of Reserve-Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 251. III. Bataillon(Meiningen/Gotha). The photograph is cut by the original owner so the full picture(pun) is unknown but it must be after 11. may 1918.

[Eiserne Wehr]

A snapshot of a group of Sturmtruppen just before they spring to action. They all carry identical kits:

Stahlhelm M16
Two handgrenades
Luger P08
Grabendolch
Spade
White armband for identification.
The Grabendolch they carry is the stamped in metal "crank handle" type made by Demag, which could be fixed to a rifle. The kneeling soldier on the right(for the viewer) has a different style Grabendolch, one with wooden grips. Interesting is that four of them wear a tunic where the buttons are covered up and the others wear a tunic with the buttons exposed which could jeopardize their concealment. The Three standing soldiers, from left to right, seem to wear a rank button their collar. Sadly the backside has no writing on it.

[Eiserne Wehr]

A lovely photograph of a Feldwebel of Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 343. with a Schützeschur, Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse. ribbon and on his belt, you guessed it, a Grabendolch.
On the back it reads:
Frankreich 4. Marz 1918
Meiner Lieben Schwester
Aima(?) zur Erinnerung an
ihre Bruder Emil

Emil dedicates this photograph of him to his sister.
The print on the back states: A. Wertheim Berlin, Leipziger Straße(111.) which is a department store.