Scroll Helmet Article

Great picture and the back writing makes it even more mysterious! I had difficulties reading it. The words "gefangene" (captured) and "Westfront" are rather clear, the word left below may be "Russen" but it is written with two "z" which is strange. The top right word is probably the name of a town.

I would urge you to post this on the Great war forum (if you have no account there, I can also post this). This card is great and maybe be possible to find out the name of the location.

BTW, is the left sitting man wearing his Adrian helmet reverse?
 
Addition.. the writing could also mean "gefangene Kolonial-Truppen Westfront". Does the german soldier have Brandenburg cuffs (three buttons sideways) or Swedish cuffs (two cuffs vertical)? I am discussing this with another collector and he added the info that the picture could also show members of Pionier Btl. 28, the 9. company was stationed in Serbia.
 
Robert said:
Addition.. the writing could also mean "gefangene Kolonial-Truppen Westfront". Does the german soldier have Brandenburg cuffs (three buttons sideways) or Swedish cuffs (two cuffs vertical)? I am discussing this with another collector and he added the info that the picture could also show members of Pionier Btl. 28, the 9. company was stationed in Serbia.
Click to expand...

Thank-you Robert, sorry it's taken a while to respond. Work, Christmas, work, New years, work ...

I've emailed the chap who supplied me with the photo, asking if had further and better particulars, in addition to the obvious "do you have more"? Still awaiting a response.
 
Thanks for the confirmation Joe, I don't think I'd seen the white tropical tunic (seated second from right) in Macedonia before...

What do you make of the chap seated fourth from left (or right)? It looks like he's got a couple of small stars on his collar...

Cheers
Chris
 
First I am not sure about the guy with the stars. Perhaps Peter can tell us something about his helmet??

I think I have seen white uniforms in a picture of Albania/Scutari(sic). just memory.
 
From Ken S on the great war forum.

Joe, the word would seem to me to be Vuzzen but have no idea what it could mean. Seems to be a place name, which it seems he was spelling phonetically. There is nothing in the regimental history that suggests such a place.
 
Here's my take on the issue of Macedonian uniform variations , including the scroll helmet.... http://www.sacktrick.com/igu/germancolonialuniforms/macedonia.htm

macedonia%20gdjaeger1.jpg


Of course, I'm largely indebted to you fellows for the source material. Please let me know if you think I've got something wrong or am missing something obvious....

Cheers
Chris
 
Nice site; reading through your article makes me wonder - are there references of steel helmets being used in Mecedonia? It seems they should be ubiquitous after 1916 but actually I cannot remember any pictures at all.
 
Good question! I do not think I have seen any either. I have seen pictures of Bulgarian Soldiers wearing steel helmets.
 
Glad you enjoyed the site, Robert. Yes, very good question... thanks for picking up on that point.

Our friend Peter H put a photo on the Axis History Forum (http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=72&t=63639)
The caption says "Hill 1050 position held by Germans,Macedonian front 1917" and they are steel helmets, but can't be 100% certain from the angle of the photo that they're not Bulgarians...

It would seem very odd that the Germans are holding front line positions and giving their allies on the same front steel helmets but denying their own troops the same protection...

That said, no, I don't think I've ever seen a clear photo proving the use of steel helmets on the Macedonian front by the German army. I'll change the text on the page.

Has anyone else seen steel helmets on the Macedonian Front?

Cheers
Chris
 
Today's brainteaser based on a translation of his very light writing on the back of this card. What is most interesting are the dates and the inclusion of an artillery regiment??!! Maybe for the Ersatz function??


ps1180 by joerookery, on Flickr


ps1180a by joerookery, on Flickr

Feldpostkarte
An
Karl Platz
Fuhrunternehmer
Kaiserwilhelmstr. N 7
Bensheim an der Bergstr.
Abs. Schütze Spöhr 107. Division Feld
Art. Reg. 213 Geb. M. G. Abt. 228.
Montag d. 1. 11. 15
Viele Grüße sendet Euch allen Adolf Spöhr
Wenig weile, g… ?
drum nur Gruß mit einer Zeile
den wir müssen …

Field artillery Regiment 213 was definitely part of 107 division. According to the 251 divisions–no mention of these guys.
 
Here's a variation for sale-
https://www.weitze.net/detail/54/Preussen_feldgraue_Ersatzpickelhaube_aus_Filz_fuer_Mannschaften_im_Infanterie_Regiment_Nr_88__103554_e.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

103554.jpg


Cheers
Chris
 
I have seen this helmet before and another one somewhat similar. I am not convinced that those numbers are all good to go.
 
Great picture and once again with walking cane. They must have issued a special M15 cane pattern to these troops so many of them use one :D
 
"Würrtemberg mountain train" -mule-mounted company

Here is another example from the collection at Fort de la Pompelle taken by Max Chaffotte. The museum attributes this helmet to the "Würrtemberg mountain train" 4th mule-mounted company of the 101st mountain division. 1916. While this division spent almost all its time in Macedonia it was not a Württemberg division however it is noted according to the 251 Divisions as having had four Württemberg pack trains in 1918. There is no mention of this helmet in the Württemberg book and the cockade on the left side of the helmet appears to be a Reich's cockade. You will also notice that there is no Nackenschutz on this helmet.
Click to expand...


ps1658b by joerookery, on Flickr


ps1658c by joerookery, on Flickr

reims0blank.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top