Help with pre- and WWI photos

[photo-war]

Hello! There are five photos of WWI era from a WW2 photo album and I am looking for some help to get more details on them.I hope some background information could be provided based on these pictures. Here they are:

#1

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#2

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# 3

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#4

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#5

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1. Photo 1 is dated 1912. There is a unit number can be seen "138" on the helmet covers. I assume that 138 is a regiment number, right? Any thoughts for what word "Bitsch" stands for from inscription "Von dem Parademarsch in Bitsch. 1912

2. Photo 2 and 3 - I guess these are pre- WW1 photos also, any comments possible on rank, unit, branch?

3. Photo 4 and 5. These are obvious WW1 photos since soldier bestowed by EK2, and any comments possible on rank, unit, branch?

Thanks for looking!

[Chip M]

Bitsch was the where is Truppen-Übungs-Platz was for the XXI Army Corps. This photo is of the drum and bugle detachment of Infantry Regiment Nr. 138, which was garrisoned a Dieuze. I would guess they were there to play for some sort of graduation ceremony or other parade.

Photo #2 is a field artillerist, whose regimental number I can't quite make out.

The rest all appear to be Prussians (based on the cap cockades), but without a good view of the shoulder straps, it is pretty difficult to say a whole lot more.

#4 and #5 both are infantry Unteroffiziere.

Chip

[photo-war]

Hello Chip!

Thank You very much for information. I have scanned a photo of artilleryman in higher resolution and there is his shoulder board: it looks like 209. I guess this stands for Feldartillerie-Regiment Nr. 209 from 105. Infanterie-Division.

[Chip M]

Thanks for the additional photo. I see 209 on it too.

Chip