Monday, February 9, 2009

The Feldzug Boys: 10th Edition of Smile for the Camera

The topic for the 10th edition of Smile for the Camera is: costume. This is not a Halloween theme, more like period costume. Genealogical word association made me think "uniform" when given the topic costume. This led to my selection for entry into the carnival. I call them The Feldzug Boys:


The sign at the center of the photo say the following:

Feldzug 1914--?
L. I. Rgt. 29. I/2

Here's what I know about the photo: nothing. It was part of my great-grandfather's papers. Below is an image of what is written on the back of the photo:


According to Google Translate, "feldzug" is a German word that means "campaign."
I haven't figured out the first two lines of text in the second image. I'm pretty sure "zu Coln" is "to Cologne," meaning Germany, which is where my great-grandfather was from. 1915 may be the date the photo was taken...or not. The "D" word in the second line is probably the "from" town if Cologne is the "to" town.
There are some good clues on the front and back of the photo. In time, I hope to solve the mystery and find out exactly what The Feldzug Boys were doing, and give them the proper Smile for the Camera introduction they deserve.
Feb. 10, 2009: Update! Greta Koehl was kind enough to ask her husband, Mr. Greta Koehl, about the photo. She left this reply in my comments:
My husband said this would have been the ist battalion, 2nd company, 3rd Rhineland (Rheinisches) Regiment No. 29, aka Infantry Regiment Von Horn. It formed part of the 16th Infantry Division, under the Eighth Army of the Imperial German Army. Cologne was the regimental depot; the division HQ was Trier. The men were mostly recruited from Rhein province, from towns along the Rhine and Moselle rivers. He thinks the photograph was probably taken when they were mobilized. The division fought in the invasion of Belgium and France in 1914, ending at the Battle of the Marne. They were briefly on the Eastern Front in late 1914, but returned to the Western Front, where they remained until disbanded in 1919.
Thank you! This location matches what I know about where my great-grandfather came from. His naturalization papers say he left for America on August 5, 1914. It's possible that a family member (possibly brother?) is in the photo and sent it to my great-grandfather in America.
The kindness and generosity of other genealogists never ceases to amaze me.

8 comments:

  1. Some great-looking mustaches in that group!

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  2. Amy, my Dad (Ernie Margheim at 'Ernie's Journeys') may remember enough German to help you out. I'll see him tomorrow and ask him to look at it. Great post! I had to laugh out loud when you said 'Here's what I know about the picture: nothing'. So honest.

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  3. Great picture, Amy. I hope you are successful in finding the entire story behind the picture, and I look forward to reading it.

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  4. My husband said this would have been the ist battalion, 2nd company, 3rd Rhineland (Rheinisches) Regiment No. 29, aka Infantry Regiment Von Horn. It formed part of the 16th Infantry Division, under the Eighth Army of the Imperial German Army. Cologne was the regimental depot; the division HQ was Trier. The men were mostly recruited from Rhein province, from towns along the Rhine and Moselle rivers. He thinks the photograph was probably taken when they were mobilized. The division fought in the invasion of Belgium and France in 1914, ending at the Battle of the Marne. They were briefly on the Eastern Front in late 1914, but returned to the Western Front, where they remained until disbanded in 1919.

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  5. What a grand photograph! I love everything about it. When I clicked on the photograph to enlarge it I noticed a few of the men smiling just slightly. It made me smile.

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  6. I have to agree with tex about the mustaches - some of them look fake! Great photograph and what a fantastic update with the help of Greta! Lots of great minds out there!

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  7. was your great grandfather in the picture?

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  8. I think the back of the picture, roughly translated, says, "A remembrance of my service time to? Koeln." You probably already know that, but just in case ...

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