A two war vet

[VtwinVince]

Ryan, the Imperial army did not often promote to officer from the ranks, although this did happen later in the war due to attrition. For instance, my uncle fought in the trenches from August 1914 until early 1917, then, as an NCO transferred to the Air Force, where he flew 120 combat missions and won the EK 1 and Ehrenbecher. Even with his record, he was not made Leutnant d.R. until very late in the conflict.

[Wik]

Very interesting Vince! Thank you for sharing. I figured it would have to be something to the effect that the simple need of officers might outweigh the requirements that were normally used to commission someone as such.


Ryan

[fdodge]

His discharge lists him as unfit.

Pretty sad way to go out. The guy's a stud in my book.

[Don D.]

Ryan, the Imperial army did not often promote to officer from the ranks, although this did happen later in the war due to attrition. For instance, my uncle fought in the trenches from August 1914 until early 1917, then, as an NCO transferred to the Air Force, where he flew 120 combat missions and won the EK 1 and Ehrenbecher. Even with his record, he was not made Leutnant d.R. until very late in the conflict.

Herr Rebbelmund had an advanced degree as a chemist or some such and he was brave as evidenced by the EK2 awarded in 1915. I'm sure that helped. Being in the infantry where the attrition rate was so high probably didn't hurt either (pun intended).

[Don D.]

Pretty sad way to go out. The guy's a stud in my book.

Between four years of war and then 4 years captivity I'm amazed he came back at all. Officers didn't fair too well with the Russians.

[Lambert]

Really nice grouping. I expecially like the document for the
Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer from Memel, because you don´t see award documents for the Ehrenkreuz awarded to Germans living in foreign countries too often!

[MauserKar98k]

Between four years of war and then 4 years captivity I'm amazed he came back at all.

Same here, he was a real trooper. Great grouping.

[Chris Boonzaier]

fantastic group.

Really, really nice.

I cant remember, is there a battle page in there somewhere?

[Montgomery Burns]

that is a nice group ,,,,rare to get



congratulations


regards kay

[Don D.]

He was in Landwehr Infantry Regt 118. Anyone have access to the regimental history?

[MauserKar98k]

He was in Landwehr Infantry Regt 118. Anyone have access to the regimental history?

Landwehr-Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 118 was part of the 9th Landwehr Division from 1915-1918. LIR118 was recruited from the Grand Duchy of Hesse and "Rheinish country." In August 1915, the 40th Landwehr Brigade- of which LIR118 was part- was sent to Luxemburg and participated in the Battle of the Marne. After this action, the two brigades of the division reunited and spent the rest of the war in the Argonne, starting in October 1915.

The 9th Landwehr Division was considered bottom-of-the-barrel material and a "sector division" by Allied Intelligence; it was classified as a forth class division. However, they did note that it did show "some fighting ability" on the defense.

[Don D.]

Thanks for the info.

[Adam S.]

Great grouping Don. Looking forward to seeing the photos when you have a chance.

[Kengir]

Amazing Grouping Don! Very personal... I'd like to see the rest, pictures especially. Thanks for sharing!

Cheers,
Jeremy