Pashas Under The Pines

[Rick Research]

P-a-s-h-a-s not P-a-s-s-i-o-n-s!!! We're not THAT kind of a forum!!

First of two VERY nice photos from Steven up in the frozen flat unending frozen flatness that is central Canada:

1) Posing for the camera.

[Rick Research]

2) Seen all there is to see. Captioned "Abfahrt der türkischen Gaste vom Rgts-Gefechtstand"

[Rick Research]

Now here's the kicker. Yes, I can read this.

Our Ottoman Roadshow is NOWHERE near one would expect them to be!

LATVIA!! LATVIA!!!!???? Yup, Latvia.

This one says "Visit of Essad Pasha to Res Rgt 106. Right to left Essad Pasha (with beard), Prince Fuad [I assume old dude with white mustachios], Turkish Generalstaff [officer--one step back centered?], Oberstleutnant Auenmüller, Commander of the Rgt.... with the map pouch"

[Rick Research]

Ach, sooo:

Leo Auenmüller (born Bautzen 4 January 1870, alive 1926) was promoted to Oberstleutnant 2 August 1917 E, so this is after that. I don't think those are snow chains on the car tires--it looks like the chains are fastening on an extra layer of material (canvas as extra puncture protection?) over the vulnerable tires. Say late summer, early fall.

Because Saxon Reserve Infantry Regiment 106 (123rd Inf Div) was then between Smorgon and Krevo on the Lake Narotch sector... of LATVIA.

Auenmüller was promoted Hauptmann 23.7.02 C. In 1909 he commanded Machine Gun Section 19 in Saxon Inf Rgt 107 and held the Prussian Red Eagle Order 4th Class.

Promoted Major 1.10.12 F, and on Staff/Inf Rgt 107 when the war began, having added a Saxon Albert Order-Knight 1st Class and saxon XXV Years Service Cross.

St. Henry Order-Knight 5 June 1915 for 10 May 1915 uphill attack on the Loretto Heights to capture a vital village, while his IInd Battalion/Sax. Inf. Rgt 107 was under blasting French artillery fire.

He received Swords to his Albert-Knight 1st 18 June 1915, and the Crown to THAT 26.4.16 (all still in Sax. Inf. Rgt. 107). Rather unfair that HIS "SA3a" final combination was THREE separate and distinct awards, when any old Major commonly got an "SA3amKrX" as ONE decoration!

Received Saxon Merit Order-Knight 1stX (SV3aX) 8.5.17 as major, Commander of Sax. RIR 106.

Received Bavarian Military Merit Order 4th Class with Crown and Swords (BMVO4XmKr) as a single award 2.8.15

Received Prussian Hohenzollern House Order 3X gazetted 29.9.17.

Iron Crosses, obviously.

He retired as char. Oberst aD.

Essad Pasha, if there was only one of that name, was Commander of the Turkish 3rd Army in 1917... and SHOULD have been waaaaay the heck down on the Armenian frontier in the Caucasus!

No info on Fuad. Lots of excess princes. They used to strangle the extras in the old days.

VERY nice photos, Steven! Thanks for sharing!

[stevenn]

Turkish Medals

Unfortunately ,the scan doesn't permit one to see which decorations the Turkish crew are wearing.Well,maybe that should be "fortunately".The photos when loooked under a jewellers' glass reveal,very clearly that the Turks are wearing mumble mumble mumble on their right breasts. I said they're wearing "The Turkish War Medal of 1915" ,or as we call it "the Gallipoli Star".I can't believe I said that .

[AOK4]

Hello,

It was not uncommon for Turkish, Bulgarian etc. generals and/or royals to visit the German West or East Front. If you read a few regimental histories, you can find stories of these visits every now and then.

Jan