MG Soldier Translate Help Please.

[Hoss]

Hello
I bought an MG badge a while back from a family in Germany. This came along with the photo and badge.
Can any of you Gentlemen translate it for me. The old couple were very nice but at the time didn't want to press too much. I was so happy with the group.

Regards
Eric

[VtwinVince]

Eric, looks like a very interesting item, from a very unusual unit. Your guy was in Bavarian Anti-Aircraft Machine Gun Unit 803, part of the 17. Armee. He took part in trench warfare around Artoise before taking part in the March, 1918 offensive, or Operation Michael. Do you have a scan of the badge?

[Hoss]

Vince
I,ve posted the badge before but here's the badge an photo.

Many Thanks
Eric

[Hoss]

photo

[Chip M]

Normally, Bavarian anti-aircraft units wore FLAK style straps with yellow unit number and "FLK" on a red strap. So, this one is quite unusual in that it has a tongue and piping. By 1918, neither of these would have been part of an issued uniform. Bavarian MG FLAK units were to wear a red strap with yellow "MG" over the yellow letters "FLK".

According to von Stein's work, Flugabwehr-Maschinengewehr-Abteilung Nr. 803 was originally formed as a homeland air defense unit, but then was attached to the 2.Army and then the 17.Army. Each Abteilung (Famga or Fla.M.G.A.) was composted of three companies, each with twelve MGs.

Chip