WW1 German Soldier Search

[F L Clemens]

I am researching the biography of a WW2 Panzer officer, Meinrad von Lauchert. I have only a little info on his father who was also named Meinrad von Lauchert. He died in WW1 and I believe he was an artillery officer. The son was born in 1905 in Potsdam, suggesting that his father would have been in a Prussian unit. The German War Graves website has no info.

Anyone have any tips on where to look for further info for WW1 casualties?

[bhholst]

Hello:
The only officer with the name of "v.Lauchert" listed in the 1913 Prussian/Wuerttemberg
Rangliste as well as in the "Ehrenrangliste des ehemaligen Deutschen Heeres " based on the 1914 Ranglisten comprising all contingents making up the German landforces of 1914-1918 is a Major v. Lauchert. He served in Feldartillerie-Regiment General-Feldzeugmeister with date of rank as 1.Oct.1912 and commanding II.Abt. in 1913. In WW I served as commander of that regiment . Became ill 1.Jul.1915 near La Bassee-Arras and died 2.Jul.1915 in Lille.
I hope the above is not repeat information you already have ( as you mentioned him being an Arty officer and having died in WW I). The afore indicated Ranglisten usually do not give the first name but the name v. Lauchert appearing only once gives some assurance that this officer is the one you are seeking.
Bernhard H. Holst

[F L Clemens]

That's wonderful, Bernhard! Much more than I had. I suppose based on the destruction of the Prussian records in 1945, that is likely the most I will get on him.

That is an odd-sounding unit "Feldartillerie-Regiment General-Feldzeugmeister". I guess it was a traditonal name rather than a functional name.

[F L Clemens]

I found two artillery units with that designation

Feld-Artillerie-Regt. General-Feldzeugmeister (1. Schwedisches) Nr.3
(Brandenburg a.H.) III Armee Korps

Feld-Artillerie-Regt. General-Feldzeugmeister (2.Brandenburgisches) Nr.18
(Frankfurt a.O.) XI Armee Korps

Does the Lauchert entry in your references give a number?

[bhholst]

Hello:
The regimental title of "General-Feldzeugmeister" was also applicable to Feldartillerie-Regiment General-Feldzeugmeister (1.Brandenburgisches ) Nr. 3, stationed in Brandenburg an der Havel. I believe it to be a honorary title , General Officers charged with heavy equipment incl. artillery pieces were called "General-Feldzeugmeister" ( to my understanding). The 1914 organisation apparent from the "Ehren-Rangliste" shows the Feldzeugmeisterei to be charged with:
Technical Institutes, (incl. Artillery Construction Bureau/ Artillerie
Konstruktionsbureau)
Artillery depots,
Train Depots,
Military Trials Section (Militaerversuchsamt).
There existed at least two artillery formations which may well have been involved in trials i.e. Feldartillerie - Schiesschule in Jueterbog and Lehr-Regiment. The heavy artillerie ( Fussartillerie ) had their Schiesschule and Lehr-Regiment as well.
Bernhard H. Holst

[F L Clemens]

Upon further research, I suspect an honorary title associated with Joseph Frederick William, duke of Saxe-Hildburghausen (1702 - 1787), General Feldzeugmeister of the Empire, at the battle of Rossbach, 1757.

[bhholst]

I found two artillery units with that designation

Feld-Artillerie-Regt. General-Feldzeugmeister (1. Schwedisches) Nr.3
(Brandenburg a.H.) III Armee Korps

Feld-Artillerie-Regt. General-Feldzeugmeister (2.Brandenburgisches) Nr.18
(Frankfurt a.O.) XI Armee Korps

Does the Lauchert entry in your references give a number?

I ommitted the unit number and tried to correct unsuccessfully.
The entry is for F.A.R. 18 (2.Brandenb.)
Bernhard H. Holst

[SvenWittnebel]

...
That is an odd-sounding unit "Feldartillerie-Regiment General-Feldzeugmeister". I guess it was a traditonal name rather than a functional name.

The Feldzeugmeister was the ancient generals rank for the artillery (when artillery pieces were called "Zeug").
A Generalfeldzeugmeister was a general commanding a division and sometimes they were honored by a "own" regiment.

(Preussisch-Deutsche Uniformen von 1640-1918, Georg Ortenburg, Ingo Prömper, Orbis Verlag.)

[F L Clemens]

I ommitted the unit number and tried to correct unsuccessfully.
The entry is for F.A.R. 18 (2.Brandenb.)
Bernhard H. Holst

Thanks - if I decide to pursue Lauchert senior's career further, having your info will be a big help.

Perhaps even if the Prussian records are missing, this artillery unit might have been subordinated to other non-Prussian commands.

[Andy Baus]

Just to add a few details to the information already given.

Meinrad von Lauchert senior was born 09.09.1865 in Berlin. In 1905, he was the commander of the 2nd horse drawn battery of the 4. Guard Artillery regiment, garrisoned at Potsdam. Should you be interested, I can provide his entire career up to 1914.

As you are writing a biography, Meinrad married Cilly Brockmann and had four children when he died: Elisabeth, Stefanie, Inge and Meinrad jr., all living in Potsdam According to my sources, Meinrad was seriously wounded on 1.07.1915 and died of his wounds the next day. He commanded FAR 18 from 04.03.1915 until his death less than four months later.

Andy

[F L Clemens]

That is fantastic info, Andy! Of course, I would like everything you can give me like that. I have little information on Lauchert's family and would like to include as much as I can in my book. It is important for understanding Lauchert the panzer commander.

Cilly Brockmann died in 1930 according to Lauchert jr's personnel file. Lauchert thus lost both parents fairly early - his father at age 10 and mother at age 25. Interestingly, Heinrich Eberbach was a sort of surrogate father or at least older brother to Lauchert, however I haven't detected a continuing relationship after the war.

The information on his sisters is interesting. I had the names of a sister Stefanie, and a sister nicknamed Maus. I did not know their birth order.

You can also contact me at panzerbaer@aol.com with further info and also I would like the sources for reference in the book. How did you get such detailed info?

Feel free to write me in English or German.

Thanks, again -