Koeniggraetz 1866 – Battlefield Finds

[Brad Posey]

With my recent loss I have much more time to show you what I have been doing all of these years. I hope I am not starting too many new threads and my posts are of at least some interest.

Before I became involved in professional battlefield archaeology (see the SGT York thread in Living History Forum) I have done a LOT of research on other battlefields.

Here are finds from my trip to the 1866 Austro-Prussian War battlefield of Koennigraetz, otherwise known as Sadowa. I have also done a lot of research on other 1866 battlefields here in Bavaria as well as 1870 battlefields in France for those who may be interested.

Here you can see the Austrian Jaeger Tschako plate along with fragments from Prussian "Bleimantelgranate" - lead sabot from Prussian artillery shell. Fired and unfired Austrian "Compression Bullets" and Prussian Dryse Neeedlegun Bullets.

The Austrian plate is shown before and after cleaning.

Brad

.

[Brad Posey]

Last pics

That is me standing next to the Austrian Jaeger monument on the edge of the "Swiepwald" holding the plate shortly after it was found very near here. Very serious fighting took place in this wood.

Brad

.

[morel5000]

Hi Brad,

interesting finds. I do some battlefield research myself,
ever been to Romagne 14 -18 museum (near the battling Sgt York archeologist teams)?

Jean Paul, a good friend and searcher of mine of the Romagne museum was also featured on a BBC show of WW1, with Michael Palin as the host.

His site

www.romagne14-18.com

and Michael Palin as my all time favorite :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTQfGd3G6dg

Best regards,
Michel

[Brad Posey]

Hi Michel,

Yes, I know Jean-Paul very well. Unfortunately he is a member of the Army officer's group and I dissagree with everythng they say. (see SGT York thread in Living History)

Otherwise Jean-Paul has a very interesting museum and I stop by there every time I am in the Argonne - even though he may not be so happy about my visit. He also has a great sandwich shop and a good place to have lunch while touring the battlefields.

This photo is of me and my recently lost girlfriend sitting with Dr. Nolan and a few others from his team at Jean-Paul's for lunch during our April 2009 campaign of archaeology at the SGT York site.

Brad

.

[Don D.]

Keep the posts coming Brad. They are interesting and I read them all with enthusiasm.

[morel5000]

Hi Brad,

I know those tables all to well... Please post the direct link of the York story. Are you in the group who "suddenly" found the bullets?

As of your personal tragedy.. Good luck and be strong. Losing someone close isn't that easy to overcome, they will always be with you. Anyway it is difficult to express in words.

Luck to you,
Michel

[morel5000]

PS why won't he be happy to see you?

All the best,
Michel

[Brad Posey]

Michel, about Jean-Paul.

I have been told by others that he does not trust me. Why? I have no idea. But he has taken his position on the SGT York affair and stands by the interpretation of the US Army officer's findings which is in stark contrast to what I and Dr. Nolan believe actually took place.

Jean-Paul is genuinely a very good guy and has a great museum, but he has sided with inaccurate and faulty research…..so……shame on him…. Why did he do this? My guess is the loads of US Army tour busses filled with American soldiers ready for lunch at Jean-Paul’s sandwich shop and museum.

Colonel Mastriano - the other SGT York researcher who got it all wrong - has provided Jean-Paul with an expanded business opportunity by ensuring that US Army tour groups have lunch at Jean-Paul’s. I have seen this on several occasions personally.

Once again, I think Jean-Paul is doing great things with his private museum, but he has sided with inaccuracy and distortion in regards to the SGT York affair,


http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=408401


Brad

.

[ironcross1]

Great finds Brad , i would like to some day visit the Argonne battlefield myself .
I know the pain of loseing a loved one so young ,be strong , it will take a long time my friend , cheers Raymond

[Willi Z.]

Interesting thread Brad. I guess I have new places to visit the next time I am over there.

[Brian S]

Brad, great finds. Just the thought that you are the first person to touch something like this that passed from the hands of people of that time is amazing. My great-grandfather was a Lt. in this war, freshly minted. Love it.

[Scott Powell]

great post brad, thanks for posting. i also enjoy reading all of your threads,hope you'll keep them coming

[MauserKar98k]

Very nice find! If you have more stuff or research about Königgrätz to share, please do so! I would also like to see more threads with your research and finds on battles of the Franco-Prussian war.

I'm sorry to hear about your loss BTW; my condolences.

[VtwinVince]

Brad, those are really interesting relics. Do the local authorities take a dim view of 'relic hunters'? I did some battlefield archaeology whilst living in Greece.

[stross]

Great stuff, love the posts!!

How did you identify the plate as Jaeger? Is there an identifying feature?