Hi all, here are two photos of some of my relatives that served in WW1. Enjoy!
Klaus
Klaus
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back of photo ... dated 31 May 1916 -
Photo #2 I like the grenades on each end!Comment
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Family Postcards
"Der Hammer";
Nice family cards.
Wasn't the 25th Reserve Division a major player at Verdun? Then that card was probably sent from that area. (Just peeked in a reference and the division was there from the beginning {21. 2. 16.} through September 1916.)
Note that the reverse of the PC does not have an Absender block of information, as required by Prussian postal regulations. The high-level (divisional-level) post cancellation indicates a Hessian connection. Was that part of Wuerttenburg? The Bavarian Feldpost also don't have the Absender block, which is often very useful; the sender being required to provide his name (often initial and family name), and his unit, at several levels. Have you read the message? They are generally exceptionally un-military.
The other card reminds me of my embarrasment since my indulgent father allowed me, as a child, to cut very common postage stamps off old family PCs, mutilating them. Fortunately, nothing of exceptional value was mangled. But since the families at home were also able to frank postcards with "Feldpost" and mail without stamps to their soldier relatives, why was a stamp needed? Possibly a PC from one civilian in Germany to another, perhaps using a PC from the front supplied by a son.
I happily have about 60 pieces of family mail from the period, the greater part being Feldpost from the front from my father and grandfather, often to each other.
Bob LembkeComment
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Klaus
IR 168 was a hessian regiment, part of the 50 Res. Infantry Brigade, 25 Res. Division of Army Corps XVIII. The regiment was garrisoned at Offenbach, with the I Batln at Butzbach and the III Batln at Friedberg i. H. As Bob said, these chaps were involved with Verdun and also the fighting in Thiaumont-Wald during the date of the PC.
Regards
Dave
P.S. I just noticed that the PC was being sent to Friedburg i. H. That may further nail down your relative(s) as being part of the III Batln .Last edited by feldgrau dave; 01-09-2005, 10:03 AM.Comment
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Thanks so so so much Bob and Dave, I really appreciate all the infomation that you have been able to provide me.
Thanks again
Klaus
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I have an overview of the divisional OOB and calendar of engagements throughout the war at http://www.militaerpass.net/25rd.htm
/DavidComment
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