Rick L Magic

[Glenn2438]

A friend of mine just bought this super photograph of an "unidentified" senior officer on ebay.de and asked if I knew him. Unfortunately I did not, but recognising the helmet plate and armed with a Prussian Rangliste I found him within a couple of minutes. The Japanes Order of the Rising Sun, the Greek Order of the Redeemer and the Austro-Hungarian Order of the Iron Crown 3rd Class were all very helpful . Perhaps some of the Rick L magic has worn off on me! A magnificent officers' Pickelhaube. Anyone know him?

Regards
Glenn

[Glenn2438]

Cose up

A close up of the bar:

[Erik Mott]

Everything is ther but not an EK1 or EK2.

[Rick Research]

Not a thing written on there, but Glenn found him from his medals & I could narrow him down to an "over the winter of 1912/13..." but Glenn's amazing unit references can get this down to QUITE a narrower time frame... and I leave that to him!

[WNickel]

Ji Rick,

it's a beautiful pic of Oberstleutnant von B., later he have got the Hohenzollern Komtur - where is his bar?????

Werner

[Brian S]

Not a front-line commander?

[Glenn2438]

Front Line - Killed in Action!

Brian,

indeed he was! It is just that this photograph was taken pre-war.

Well done Werner:

Oberstleutnant Walther von Berg taken in the period between 22 March when he assumed provisional command of 6. Thüringisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 95 and 18 April when he was promoted to Oberst. The Saxon Duchies Helmet plate was the initial steer in identifying him and the impressive rack of gongs clinched it.

Born 1. Jan. 1859 Berlin
Father: Graf Karl von Berg-Schönfeld
Mother: Clara von Olszewska

22. Sep. 1878: Entered 2. Garde-Regiment zu Fuß
12. Apr. 1879: Portepee-Fähnrich
14. Feb. 1880: Sekond-Lieutenant
27. Nov. 1888: Supernumery Premier-Lieutenant
2. Jun. 1893: Adjutant of the 4. Garde-Infanterie-Brigade
14. Sep. 1893: Supernumery Hauptmann
1. Sep. 1896: Company Commander (6. Kompanie) 2. Garde-Regiment zu Fuß
11. Sep. 1903: Supernumery Major
22. Apr. 1905: Battalion Commander Füsilier-Bataillon, 2. Garde-Regiment zu Fuß
27. Jan. 1911: Oberstleutnant
21. Apr. 1911: Oberstleutnant on the staff of the 2. Garde-Regiments zu Fuß
22. Mär. 1913: Assigned to Infanterie-Regiment 95 as "leader"
18. Apr. 1913: Oberst and appointed commander

Deployed to the eastern front in early September 1914 with the rest of 38. Division, Oberst Walther von Berg was killed in action leading his regiment at Janowize during the battle of Lodz on 19. November 1914 having just been comforting a wounded subordinate.

Regards
Glenn

[Blitz]

That is magic, good job mate!