August 15, 20232 yr #1 Hi Guys. I am trying to find to any information about the soldier in this photograph and the location it was taken. I can find no trace of what appears to be a memorial stone bearing an Iron Cross. On the rear of the picture is the date 1922. Would any of our expert members with an interest in the Imperial German Army, Deutsches Heer, or Reichswehr, be able to offer an opinion? Thank you very much in advance. Gunner ... @Proud Kraut @patches
August 15, 20232 yr #2 I would say: "In Treue zu Kaiser und Reich" or "Treue für Kaiser und Reich". I´m searching the internet.
August 15, 20232 yr Author #3 9 minutes ago, Proud Kraut said: I would say: "In Treue zu Kaiser und Reich" or "Treue für Kaiser und Reich". I´m searching the internet. Thank you, that is appreciated..
August 17, 20232 yr Author #4 Just bumping this up incase any of our experts can give an opinion as to the soldiers rank or regiment. He wears puttees not boots should that help and we think he comes from the Hamburg area. I'm wondering if he could be an NCO in the infantry... @Proud Kraut @patches
August 17, 20232 yr #5 Hm, I do not see any insignia, rank insignia or ribbon. Tomorrow I can check my files of interwar Reichswehr uniforms. I didn´find anything online regarding the memorial stone yet.
August 17, 20232 yr Author #6 27 minutes ago, Proud Kraut said: Hm, I do not see any insignia, rank insignia or ribbon. Tomorrow I can check my files of interwar Reichswehr uniforms. I didn´find anything online regarding the memorial stone yet. Thank you. I have been advised that as he is wearing two cockades on his cap it is likely that is a Great War uniform. I'm no expert in that so would have to defer to others. Appreciate your help. Gunner
August 18, 20232 yr Author #8 50 minutes ago, Edelweisse said: Member of the various FreiKorp units… 1920s…very little insignia Thank you Edelweisse. That would certainly tally with the date on the back of the card, 16/01/1922. Also, could that be Freikorps written on the bottom of the card. regards Gunner
August 18, 20232 yr Author #9 @Proud Kraut @Edelweisse Just as an update. The hash 16122 the inventory number of (one of) the dealers who once sold the photo. The name is Gressling, the address is Fesslerstraße 6 in Hamburg-Barmbek, then a typical worker´s quarter. There is only one Gressling (born in Berlin) listed as KIA in the loss-list in June 1918. so not the sender of the card. The card is from the son Gressling to his parents. He mentions something about the photo on the obverse. So it appears it maybe a Great War soldier after all.
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