Reichswehr anyone ?

[Chris Boonzaier]

Maybe Rick can use his special reading ability here.
From the stamp it is Reichswehr Brigade 1, top left 1st Division in Königsberg...
From the writing it is 3rd Comp. MG? Abt 17.
Any idea what is between the MG and Abt ?

I have quite a few docs awarded in the early 20s, but I think this the only one where the guy was still serving.

I assume the 1st Div was fighting as a freecorps of some sort ?

[Frank Heukemes]

Hi Chris,

Not too familiar with Reichswehr unit types, but that Sütterlin abbreviation between MG and Abt. should be "Sch" for Schützen, so it would be Maschinengewehr-Schützen-Abteilung in total.
Note that you have the same letters in front of the name, "Schützen" (in Dativ case). In the abbreviation the letters after the Sütterlin "S" are somewhat simplified.

Hopefully Rick can confirm that.

Cheers, Frank

[Rick Research]

This one will take archives rummaging.

You are correct, Chris, this is a late (very late!) award for WWI-- the abbreviation makes sense as a WWI unit--

"M.G. Ss. Abt. 17" which would have been MaschineGewehr Scharfschu"tzen Abteilung 17."

This were the deadly units that made Verdun and the Somme... and No man's Land anywhere else... so lethal.

I know, "sharpshooting" and hosing machinegun fire are mutually exclusive. But that's what these units were called, as opposed to regimental M.G. companies or antiaircraft (Flamga) units.

Tough to find--these were not divisional troops and were defensive, not offensive units. Back later.