Unusual dragoon marking

[joerookery]

ps156 by Joe Robinson, on Flickr

Leib-Dragoner-Regt. (2. Großherzog-hessisches) Nr.24
(Darmstadt) XVIII Armee Korps

 

[aicusv]

Appears to be an R over a 24, is that correct?

 

[joerookery]

That is a "D" very strange.

 

[aicusv]

So it is. Any idea when the photo was taken? Just noticed the officer in the center of the photo is wearing a M' 15 blouse.

 

[Westfront]

Nice Eastern front picture.