Luftschiffer Erkennungsmarke

[paulj]

I've had this for decades and found it as is with the aluminum strips as reinforcement. The unit staff was based in Mannheim but I haven't been able to research the actual unit, Ballonzug 41.

[Chip M]

Hello Paul,

Nice example! Is it broken through all the way or was this just a precaution?

Ballonzug 41 moved around, serving with the 9.Armee, 18.Armee, 7.Armee and 3.Armee. It was a Prussian unit. A typical unit had 3 officers and 100 other ranks.

Chip

[The Prussian]

Hello!
According to the man´s birthdate, he was 19 in 1918.
The Ballonzug 41 in spring 1918 was attached to the 18th Army.
Source: Ruhmeshalle unserer alten Armee
Engaged battles:
http://wiki-de.genealogy.net/18.Armee_(WK1)
Andy

[paulj]

Thanks Chip and Andy for the info... great shoulder straps, too!

The disk seems to be broken through at least partially if not entirely. Hard to say if it was reinforced at the time or later, but I suppose the use of aluminum strips could indicate an older repair.