A Hauptmann in IR 64

[Mike H]

I just recently added this CDV to my photo and postcard collection. As can be seen on the reverse, it is a Hauptmann v. Collani in the image. Since the studio was in Angermunde, I will assume he was with the III. Batallion there as the rest of the regiment was in Prenzlau. The unit is Infanterie-Regiment General-Feldmarschall Prinz Friedrich Karl von Preussen (8. Brandenburg.) Nr. 64. This is stated on the reverse of the card.

I did an internet search and found there was a Major Erwin von Collani who was awarded the PLM on 7 May 1918 but the site had no further information on him other than the name, rank, and date. Thus, I am not sure this is him in the picture.

Can someone please translate the complete text on the reverse (I can make out most of it) and also any resources you might have to identify PLM winners by their names as well as the units they served with. I would really like to know. It doesn't seem to be a common name but I could be wrong.

Thanks, Mike

 

[Hardaway]

Hi Mike,

no problem.

In grateful memory
v. Collani
Hauptmann and Komp. (company)
Chief of the Infantry Regiment Prinz
Friedrich Karl.

Regards
Matthias

 

[Mike H]

Hi Mike,

no problem.

In grateful memory
v. Collani
Hauptmann and Komp. (company)
Chief of the Infantry Regiment Prinz
Friedrich Karl.

Regards
Matthias

Many thanks!

 

[Glennj]

Mike,

great portrait and indeed the later OPLM winner Erwin von Collani. Interestingly enough, the then Hauptmann von Collani was a company commander in the I. Bataillon from 1908 to 1913.

Regards
Glenn

 

[Mike H]

Mike,

great portrait and indeed the later OPLM winner Erwin von Collani. Interestingly enough, the then Hauptmann von Collani was a company commander in the I. Bataillon from 1908 to 1913.

Regards
Glenn

View attachment 46180

Terrific photo and info. He aged a bit. Thanks for all the help.

Mike

 

[Mike H]

Mike,

great portrait and indeed the later OPLM winner Erwin von Collani. Interestingly enough, the then Hauptmann von Collani was a company commander in the I. Bataillon from 1908 to 1913.

Regards
Glenn

View attachment 46180

Glenn, another question or two ...

What Regiment was the Major in at the end of the war and did he survive? I do not know what OPLM means?

I noted the file name for your photo was labeled GIR 7. Was this Grenadier Regiment Nr. 7? Or something else?

Thanks again.

Mike

 

[ww1czechlegion]

Glenn, another question or two ...

......................... I do not know what OPLM means?

...............

Thanks again.

Mike

Hi Mike,

I believe that is stands for "Orden Pour le Merite". Or in other words, he was the awardee of the Order of the Pour le Merite or otherwise known as the "Blue Max" in English speaking collector slang.

The various awards received by any given officer are listed beside each of the respective officers listed in the various Rank List books that were published for the various Imperial German States. Each award listed in these Rank List Books is given an abbreviation of the full title of the award.

Best Wishes,

Alan

 

[Mike H]

Hi Mike,

I believe that is stands for "Orden Pour le Merite". Or in other words, he was the awardee of the Order of the Pour le Merite or otherwise known as the "Blue Max" in English speaking collector slang.

The various awards received by any given officer are listed beside each of the respective officers listed in the various Rank List books that were published for the various Imperial German States. Each award listed in these Rank List Books is given an abbreviation of the full title of the award.

Best Wishes,

Alan

Alan,

Many thanks. I just was not clear on what the “O” before “PLM” meant. All clear now. Just waiting to see what Regiment he was in during the last months of the war and if he survived.

 

[KAGGR#1]

Mike,

great portrait and indeed the later OPLM winner Erwin von Collani. Interestingly enough, the then Hauptmann von Collani was a company commander in the I. Bataillon from 1908 to 1913.

Regards
Glenn

View attachment 46180

Glenn
Great information.
It is good to see you post
I have been missing you
and I wondered where you were
Thanks
Steve

 

[KAGGR#1]

Glenn, another question or two ...

What Regiment was the Major in at the end of the war and did he survive? I do not know what OPLM means?

I noted the file name for your photo was labeled GIR 7. Was this Grenadier Regiment Nr. 7? Or something else?

Thanks again.

Mike

Mike
If we can pin down the regiment
we can check him in my Rang List
Steve

 

[KAGGR#1]

Mike
If we can pin down the regiment
we can check him in my Rang List
Steve

Then I suggest a copy of the page
It will tell you any other medals that he might have had
I would display the page with his photo
Steve

 

[Glennj]

Mike, Steve,

Major von Collani commanded both the II. Bataillon and the entire 7. Garde-Infanterie-Regiment respectively. He survived the war but died relatively shortly afterwards on 2 February 1922.

Regards
Glenn

 

[Mike H]

Thank you, Glenn. So much appreciated.

 

[Mike H]

I have found Collani in several places in the 1914-1918 Ranglist. The letters .a.D. appear after his rank in some listings. What does this mean?

 

[Glennj]

I have found Collani in several places in the 1914-1918 Ranglist. The letters .a.D. appear after his rank in some listings. What does this mean?

Mike,

außer Dienst = retired

Regards
Glenn