They are wearing the dark blue Waffenrock with colored shoulder boards which was not worn in the field after the introduction of the 1907 grey Feldrock. They also lack the protective cloth covers for their helmets which would have been worn not only in combat but also for most training maneuvers. Interestingly, they are machine-gun section; the leather shoulder belts on some of the men are to help carry the heavy 1908 Maxim gun. This would place this photo somewhere between 1910-early 1914 (pre-War).
ReplyDeleteThat should probably have been labelled "A MG section in..."
A regiment would be 3000-5000 guys.
Unless they were doing an "After" picture around December of 1918.
Machine-gun sections have between 3 and 6 guns varying on the service or nation. Comprised of Gunner, Assistant Gunner, and Ammunition Men for each gun. I count 21 men sitting and an officer and Platoon Sergeant/Section leader standing. So one of many MG sections of the 116th Infantry Regiment.
DeleteWhere’s Lili Von Shtüpp????
ReplyDeleteShe's tired, didn't she tell you?
Deletepickelhaube issued to US black troops pre 1900 or c.Pancho Villa, IIRC there was an attempt at a USMC version.
ReplyDeleteNever understood why they wore butt plugs on their helmets...
ReplyDeleteRamming speed, Captain!
DeleteI remember reading there was actually a practical purpose to it. Something about deflecting a sword chop/stroke.
DeleteIf the photo was taken in 1914, I expect that it includes a great number of men who would be dead in the next four years.
ReplyDeleteGerman machine gunners had a terrible habit of not surrendering and fighting to the death. Many, once they had mown down advancing infintry would however, stand up and cry "Komrad!" They usually got baynoted by angry men.
ReplyDeleteActual quote from a Brit: "Too late, chum."
DeleteYoutube channel 'PLW History' is a German language group that does living history. They did on on early machine gun organization -- 'Machine Gun 08 & MG Squad Explained! (FIRST WORLD WAR) German with subtitles'
ReplyDeleteMark in PA