Unit Identification

[fenderjazz]

Does anyone have any informations regarding 'Batallion Guttentag', possibly part of a Freikorps unit
in the Silesian area, or associated with Erhardt Brigade or both (my grandfather's recollections were
not always sequential or clear). Attached is a photo and also what I believe to be a casulaty list.
Thanks, Dan

[EvSalomon]

Hello fenderjazz!

WOW!
Amazing picture!
As I see it, they wear the armband of the SSOS (Selbstschutz Oberschlesien).
The name of this unit sounds familiar to me, but I cannot remember any more infos by heart.
Maybe someone else can help.

The list is definitively a casualty list:

The heroic death for their silesian home died during the heavy fights for Radau and Zembowitz:
Volunteer (name)
....

They died enthusiastic for the honour and integrity of their german fatherland. Albeit the majority of their
german brothers does not back them, so will we, their comrades, see about it, that their blood was not
shed in vain.

Bataillon Guttentag.
Schnepper
Oberlt. a.D. and Batls-leader

I hope the translation is as near to the original as possible.

Best regards,
Henrik

[Mad Zeppelin]

According to a map-sketch provided in "Das Buch vom Deutschen Freikorpskämpfer" (E.v.Salomon, Berlin 1938) Bataillon Guttentag is seen in position at village Zembowitz, some few Kilometers west of village Guttentag.
Some pages later, there's an account by OLt Schnepper, CO of Selbstschutz-Bataillon Guttentag.
This, however, does not reveal anything about the battalion but deals only with the fighting in Zembowitz. Time: May 1921.

[fenderjazz]

Many thanks for the posted and personal messages in response.

I would like to solict additional opinions/evaluations of the posted photo.
Specifically:

1. In the man on the left, and also center front row, does there appear to be
the pin of the Eiserne Division?

2. Men 3rd and 4th from left, the oval badge on (their) left side of the tunic,
above the belt line. Wound badge?

3. Man center back row. Is his cap a Naval type?

4. Man far right, thoughts on his cap, tunic. Also there is a pin on his left breast.

5. Also can anyone discerne the national cockades where present?

Thanks
Dan

[EvSalomon]

1. In the man on the left, and also center front row, does there appear to be
the pin of the Eiserne Division?

Do you mean the prussian style skull on the front of the caps?
Could be iron division, but need not to be so, the man standing far right also has this skull pinned to the cap.

2. Men 3rd and 4th from left, the oval badge on (their) left side of the tunic,
above the belt line. Wound badge?

I would say so.

3. Man center back row. Is his cap a Naval type?

I am not sure, but this one looks to me more like a railroad cap.

4. Man far right, thoughts on his cap, tunic. Also there is a pin on his left breast.

Looks to me as the tunic in M1910 style, maybe with replaced buttons, pin on breast seems to be the field bar of the EK II.

5. Also can anyone discerne the national cockades where present?

Sorry, no, but the guy standing on the far left wears the silesian eagle class II, also the one sitting on the right.

Best regards,
Henrik

[fenderjazz]

Orignial post's photo's link was lost when I moved. I am reposting photos for posterity.
Dan