Archive for this collection

Kriegsgeschichte

The Flanders Corps. Photo collection.

The Marine Corps Flanders - often referred to as the Flanders Corps - was a unique large formation of the Imperial Navy in World War I that combined land, sea, and air forces under a single command. It secured the Belgian coast from 1914 to 1918, operated in the English Channel and fought as infantry on the Western Front.

Kriegsgeschichte

Prisoners - The Return of German Prisoners of War from Japan in the Years after 1918

Kiautschou Bay was taken into possession by the German Reich on November 14, 1897. Early on this area had been identified as a suitable trading base.

Organisation

The German Imperial Army in the World War - Structure, Organization and Uniforming of the Infantry - Reserve Infantry Regiments

In 1914 the German infantry comprised 217 regiments.

Uniformierung & Ausrüstung

Ruhl, The gray field uniform (of the German Army).

Heeressoziologie

Scenes of War - Training Behind the Front

Below is a contemporary photo album that documents the training of German infantry behind the front. The preliminary remarks outline the specific circumstances of training during the war.

Uniformierung & Ausrüstung

(German) Mountain Troops in World War I

For the special conditions of combat in the mountains, the following special formations were formed from the end of 1914 onwards - according to Jürgen Kraus:

Organisation

The Development of the German Imperial Army in World War I (1914–18) - An Overview

At the outbreak of World War I the Imperial Army comprised 92½ infantry and 11 cavalry divisions with 5,124 field guns and 575 heavy guns.

Uniformierung & Ausrüstung

The Introduction and Development of the Field-Gray Uniform of the German Army (1907 - 18) - An Overview

Until 1914 the German Imperial Army still presented itself in splendid, tradition-driven peacetime uniforms that conveyed a high sense of self to the wearer and exerted an undiminished appeal on wide sections of the population. However, the practical necessities resulting from modern warfare already signaled the end of the colorful uniforms before the outbreak of the First World War.

Organisation

The German Imperial Army in the World War - Structure and Organization - Fortification Troops

As early as mobilization, so-called fortification troops were planned. These were to carry out the necessary earthworks in the course of strengthening the fortresses.

Heeressoziologie

Scenes of War - Crater Landscape

For years, both the Central Powers and the Allies tried to break the stalemated fronts by an ever-increasing use of artillery and the corresponding consumption of ammunition. As a result, gigantic battles of materiel shaped conditions especially on the Western Front, while on the Eastern Front certain elements of maneuver warfare persisted.

Organisation

The German Imperial Army in the World War - Structure and Organization - Military Chaplains

Even in peacetime religious care was provided.

Kriegsgeschichte

Scenes of War - Mine and Grenade Launchers

The first mine launchers were already designed before the outbreak of the war. They were usually smoothbore high‑angle firing weapons that fired shells and were primarily intended for fortress warfare. Compared with the usual guns they had only a short range and were therefore meant primarily for close combat. Mine launchers were used for the first time during the siege of Port Arthur in 1904.