My First Imperial Tunic +++++++

[PlaceOfBayonets]

First? That implies more are to come! If I was ever lucky enough to score and have the funds for one I'd never be that lucky twice.

Very nice. I could not hope to find one better then that.

W.

[MauserKar98k]

Nice grouping! Anything that belongs to a unit that was as formed as late as Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 454 has got to be on the rare side.

IR 454 was formed in January 1917 and was recruited from Posen (noted as having a large number of Poles.) By this point, the regiments were being recruited from the Germany's youth (Class of 1918) and "sick and wounded men withdrawn from the front." IR 454 was part of the 235th Division.

IR 454 went into line on the Western Front in March and April of 1917 at St. Quentin, Itancourt sector were it suffered enormous losses "principally from the attack of April 13, which necessitated replacements of 2,216 men during the following weeks." After a relief period, IR 454 was again put into line on the Ypres front in late July 1917. In this position, IR 454 and the rest of its division again received heavy casualties as the result of artillery preparations and British assault on their position on July 31, 1917. As a result of this action, 4. Kompanie of IR 454 was reduced to 31 men. After another brief rest period, the 235 Division was put back into line in the area of Montcornet before going into line on the Aisne front in mid September 1917. During a French attack in this sector on Nov. 21, 1917, the 235 Division again suffered heavy casualties including 400 prisoners. At the end of 1917, Allied Intelligence rated IR 454 and the rest of the 235 Div. as being of "mediocre offense value."

In the spring of 1918, IR 454 and the rest of 235 Div. went into line on the Flanders front where it lost very heavy casualties from April 22 until May 11. From there, it spent time in line on the Woevre front, Meuse sector before the entire division was disbanded on August 8, 1918. In 1918, Allied Intelligence rated the 235th Division as a third class division, noted that the division was "commended by the Kaiser in his order dissolving the division."

-Source: Histories of Two Hundred and Fifty-One Divisions of the German Army Which Participated in the War (1914-1918)

[Hoss]

Kirby
Beautiful
Those green leather pouches are rare. I particularly like the club and salt bag.

Eric

[klr]

Hello Thanks for the history on the Unit. I have only had the uniform a few days so I haven't had much time to research. When I titled this my first I ment first Imperial. I have owned dozens of Third Reich uniforms.
Thanks. Kirby

[MauserKar98k]

Hello Thanks for the history on the Unit. I have only had the uniform a few days so I haven't had much time to research.

Not a problem. Again, great grouping.

[blinky]

The goggles are WWII US anti-splinter goggles for AFV crews

[klr]

Thanks for the info on the goggles. I have some Army Air Corp stuff that will go with. Kirby

[Adler 1]

Excellent grouping!

Adler 1

[LA MITRAILLE]

Hello,

beautifull grouping, i like the hand grenade and the green leather pouche; but it's not so rare



Best regards
David

[panzerguy]

amazing

super condition! time machine

[Hans K.]

Great grouping Kirby. A gas mask carrier and canteen would really round it off nicely.

It's interesting to see the Bluse cuffs have been trimmed and sewn in place. I'm pretty sure I've seen this in period pictures.

[Abzeichen]

Very nice display. You just need a Zeltplane, bettdecke, and Kochengeshirr for your Tornister.

[Chip M]

He will need some Kochgeschirrriemen and Mantelriemen as well. And a Halsbinde would be nice too.

Chip

[Abzeichen]

Ja, stimmt. Und auch Hosen, Schnürschuhe, und so weiter.

[klr]

I am pulling this old thread up because I am thinking of taking this tunic to the SOS. Can't seem to find any of these M15 Tunics for sale. Thanks for any opinions on what a fair value would be on this tunic.

A couple of thing with the tunic. The rear belt ramps have been removed and replaced with buttons and the tunic was enlarged by adding about 2 3/4 inches to each side.