Austrian Feldgendarm, Eastern Front, March 1915

[drakegoodman]

These fellows (black coats) were k.u.k. Landwehr and elements were mobilised to form the military police in the field.


Austrian Feldgendarm by drakegoodman, on Flickr

 

[Robert]

Nice picture! This lad has a Mosin-Nagant, anybody know what the armband means?

 

[joerookery]

I don't know what the armband means–I don't even know who these guys are–do any of you?

ps212 by joerookery, on Flickr

 

[drakegoodman]

Marvellous photos!

From my $120.00 Uniforms & Equipment of the Austro-Hungarian Army in world War One by Spencer Coil I got - squat.

From my second-hand, $12.00 Men-at-Arms The Austro-Hungarian Forces in World War 1 I got this.

"When on duty as Feldgendarmerie, they would wear a yellow / black / yellow brassard with the inscription 'Feldgendarm'.

 

[Glennj]

Joe,

your group photograph is that of a typical group of k.k. Gendarmerie in the 1899 pattern blue uniform. The Imperial Decree of 5 July 1899 introduced a leather spiked helmet for the Austrian Gendarmerie replacing a feathered cap worn prior to this date. This in turn was replaced following the Decree of 25 May 1902 by the pattern in cork for security duties, the leather version still being used for parades.

Now, whereas the peacetime Gendarmerie were the k.k. Gendarmerie in the Austrian half of the Monarchy and the k.u. Gendarmerie in the Hungarian half, those Gendarmerie elements mobilised for service in the field became the k.u.k. Feldgendarmerie.

Regards
Glenn

 

[joerookery]

Thanks Glenn!

 

[Chip Minx]

Here's one type of armband. They also had examples just like this one, but with "Feldgendarmerie" embroidered on it.

Chip