Hello fellows,
Normally this section is dedicated to WW2 German militaria but I'am going to make an exception this time and start a thread about a WW1 document grouping.
Because it such a good example to show the horror of war, I'am pretty sure that it will intrest the regulars on this forum.
These documents tell the story of Heinrich Mehring, a railroad construction worker that volunteered in to the army when he was 20 years old.
In October 1912 Heinrich was a two year volunteer in the 12th company of the prestigious Füsilier Regiment "General Feldmarschall Prinz Albrecht von Preußen" (Hannoverische) Nr 73, this regiment wore the "Gibraltar" cufftitle on their tunic.
On August 2 1914 his unit is mobilized, it belongs to the 19th Infantry Division that invades Belgium on August 4 1914.
For him the war starts on August 6 1914 when he fights in the siege of Liege.
After the fall of the Liege forts the next battles are fought in Chatelet (Charleroi) and in Namur.
Then France is invaded and in early September he fights in the famous Marne battle.
The war of movement over he fights in the trenches in Rheims.
Late February 1915 the French army attacks in the Champagne, near the villages Perthes and Mehring.
- Perthes is compleetly destroyed in WW1 and will not be rebuild after the war.
It is during one of the artillery bombardments in this offensive on March 1 1915, that Heinrich is hit in the face by a piece of shrapnel.
The wound isn't fatal but he loses most of his lower jaw and teeth, resulting in severe disfigurement.
He spends 19 months in hospitals undergoing plastic surgery and 10 further months in convalescent and replacements companies of his regiment.
He was finally released from service in August 1917.
On December 1 1915 he was awarded with an EKII for bravery in face of the enemy, he also gets a wounded badge in black in 1918.
During the rule of the nazi's his wounded badge is upgraded to a silver one.
His militärpaß:
Normally this section is dedicated to WW2 German militaria but I'am going to make an exception this time and start a thread about a WW1 document grouping.
Because it such a good example to show the horror of war, I'am pretty sure that it will intrest the regulars on this forum.
These documents tell the story of Heinrich Mehring, a railroad construction worker that volunteered in to the army when he was 20 years old.
In October 1912 Heinrich was a two year volunteer in the 12th company of the prestigious Füsilier Regiment "General Feldmarschall Prinz Albrecht von Preußen" (Hannoverische) Nr 73, this regiment wore the "Gibraltar" cufftitle on their tunic.
On August 2 1914 his unit is mobilized, it belongs to the 19th Infantry Division that invades Belgium on August 4 1914.
For him the war starts on August 6 1914 when he fights in the siege of Liege.
After the fall of the Liege forts the next battles are fought in Chatelet (Charleroi) and in Namur.
Then France is invaded and in early September he fights in the famous Marne battle.
The war of movement over he fights in the trenches in Rheims.
Late February 1915 the French army attacks in the Champagne, near the villages Perthes and Mehring.
- Perthes is compleetly destroyed in WW1 and will not be rebuild after the war.
It is during one of the artillery bombardments in this offensive on March 1 1915, that Heinrich is hit in the face by a piece of shrapnel.
The wound isn't fatal but he loses most of his lower jaw and teeth, resulting in severe disfigurement.
He spends 19 months in hospitals undergoing plastic surgery and 10 further months in convalescent and replacements companies of his regiment.
He was finally released from service in August 1917.
On December 1 1915 he was awarded with an EKII for bravery in face of the enemy, he also gets a wounded badge in black in 1918.
During the rule of the nazi's his wounded badge is upgraded to a silver one.
His militärpaß:
