German Units in the Carpathians- April 20, 1915

[Renner aus Schlesien]

Hello- I have just uncovered some family history concerning my grandmother's brother who was in the German military during World War One. I have the smallest pieces of information, but I was hoping the wonderful experts out "there" may be able to offer some ideas. I have learned he was killed April 20, 1915 in the Caparthian area of Austria-Hungary (Karpaten in Ungarn- I do not know the city or town). I know he was in the German military, not Austria-Hungary because he was born and lived in Lower Silesia (Prussia). Can anyone offer me some ideas as to what German units were in the Carpathians at this time. Like I said, this is all the info I have (he was 35 years old at the time). I do not know his rank or if he was wounded some time before his death. Thank you to everyone who offers an opinion...no detail is too small and I will appreciate all your help. Thanks

[3.Jäger Rgt.]

Renner,

Look up the Karpathan Korps to find the units that comprised it. Too many, I'm afraid, to help you pin down which unit your great uncle was in. At least, perhaps, you can find out what the Korps was doing on the date that your relative was killed. That might help you identify some possible units.

Good luck,
Chip

[Peter H]

Various German formations were in the region around April 1915:

Beskidenkorps(XXXVIII Reserve Corps)

4. Infanterie-Division (Pomeranian)
25. Reserve-Division (Hessian)
35. Reserve-Division (East Prussian)

Süd-Armee(KUK formations excluded)

XXIV Reserve Corps
48. Reserve-Division(Hessian)

Hoffman KUK Corps
1. Infanterie-Division (East Prussian)

3. Garde-Division(Prussian)

Silesian personnel would have been found in the Prussian formations mentioned.East Prussia especially had a low draft pool and relied on other regions(Prussia,Silesia,Poles) to provide manpower as replacements.

Karpathenkorps was the designation of the IV Reserve Corps in 1916/17.

[Renner aus Schlesien]

3. Jäger and Peter H., thank you very much for your quick replies. The list of those divisions will be useful and maybe I can get further info from my relatives in Germany. Perhaps, because of his age (35 yrs old) he was in one of the Prussian Reserve divisions or perhaps an officer in the Garde Division. Would that be a logical statement ? Thanks again.

[Peter H]

Sounds about right.

However note the 35. Reserve-Division was really a Landwehr formation and had men in the age group 28-35 in it as well.However at that early stage of the war I think enough East Prussians were around to fill its ranks.

[grassi]

There are some digitised editions of the "Kampfblätter des Deutschen Karpathenkorps" available (server Bayerische Staatsbilbiothek).

"Zeitung zur Truppenbetreuung von 1917

Die "Kampfblätter" dienten gegen Ende des Ersten Weltkrieges als propagandistisches Instrument der Truppenbetreuung beim sogenannten "Karparthenkorps". Mit der 16. Ausgabe wurde das Erscheinen der Zeitung eingestellt. In digitaler Form liegt der Bestand der Bayerischen Staatsbibliothek München vor."

http://www.vifaost.de/texte-materialien ... thenkorps/

grassi

[Renner aus Schlesien]

I have discovered some more information about my relative who was killed. According to the Verlustlisten he was an Unteroffizer in the Scheinwerferzug D der 35. Reserve Division. Would this be search light detatchment of some sort ? For spotting aircraft perhaps ?

[Latze]

Yes, a "Schweinwerferzug" is indeed a searchlights platoon. These were not for anti-aircraft purpose (that came later) but to illuminate the battlefield during night fighting. They were part of the "Pionier" (engineer) branch of the German army.

[Renner aus Schlesien]

double post

[Renner aus Schlesien]

Latze - Thank you for the information !

[Marek34]

Hello. I'm calling Marek I from Eastern Slovakia and living in places where she was fighting the 35th Reserve Divizia Beskiden Corpus. There are military cemeteries where German soldiers are buried. Perhaps it will help you. I'm sorry for my language but I don't know English

[abaus]

Hallo Marek,

Děkuju ti srdečňe. Maš jména?

Lituju moc že ne umim slovensky- studoval jsem česky když jsem byl u US armady před 35 let! !


english- thank you very much. Do you have names?

Sorry I don't know Slovak- I studied Czech when I was in the US Army 35 years ago.

Andy