RE: Unit Organization - 3rd Seebatallion

[Oskar_2ndChev]

I'm doing some research on the Seebatallions and in particular, the 3rd Seebatallion in 1900 during the Boxer Rebellion. I've been able to determine that at that time, the Seebatallion was a batallion-strength unit consisting of three companies. What I'm looking for is hard data on the internal composition at the company level and below (i.e. x platoons broken into y sections consisting of w men...). Any information would be welcome.

Also, just to confirm- in 1900 the Seebatallions were not issued machineguns. In the wake of the China Relief Expedition, it appears that the Germans expanded the 3rd Seebatallion (perhaps also the 1st and 2nd) to five companies and added a machinegun company, mounted company, and perhaps a field artillery battery (?).

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

[Chris Dale]

Hi Oskar,
Good question. I'm not sure of the exact breakdown of the III. Seebatallion in 1900, I'd be very curious to see if other forum members can help here. But I can confirm as you said that after the Boxer Rebellion the III. SB was expanded with the addition of a machine gun company, mounted company and a field artillery battery. It was also expanded with a further two companies (I believe) of reservists at the outbreak of the First World War.
It would be very handy if other members could add more info here.
Cheers
Chris

[lettow4beck]

Actually the III. Seebataillon consisted of four companies. In addition were attached a Chinese company and a Marine-Feldbatterie. The I. and II. Seebataillone that followed as part of the the Erstes Expeditionskorps fuer China also consisted of four companies each. The companies appear to have been formed of four platoons as well, based on the number of lieutenants assigned to each. No machineguns were assigned. (Source: Unsere Truppen in Ost-Asien) From the lessons learned form the Boxer Rebellion, the Germans assigned machineguns to the Seebataillone when they deployed to the Herero War in DSWA in 1904.

[Peter H]

While we are on the subject can anyone assist in this query?

http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic. ... 485#792485

Regards
Peter

[Oskar_2ndChev]

Interesting information- thanks, this has been revealing. The four platoons sounds consistent in that from what I've read, pre-1914 companies tended to be fairly large (from what fragments I've been able to read/translate).

[Chris Dale]

According the Werner Haupt's "Die Deutsche Schutztruppe" the May 1914 peacetime strength of the III. SB was-
1st-4th Infantry Companies, 5th Mounted Company, a Field Battery and a Pioneer Company.

Cheers
Chris

[Scarlett]

For information look at

http://www.marine-infanterie.de/html/3_8_1.html

During the Boxxer rebellion the III. Seebattaillon consisted of
4 Kompanien. and a field-battery.

A mounted Kompanie was formed June 1901.

The Pionier-Kompanie was formed 1910, and a Maschinengewehr-Kompanie in November 1911.

http://www.marine-infanterie.de/html/1.html contains very valuable information on the history of German Naval Infantry.

[Oskar_2ndChev]

Interesting about the field artillery company. There's no mention made of it in the English language accounts I've read. I wonder if it got left behind at TsingTao. Would they have been armed with the 77mm fieldpiece (the specific model nomeclature escapes me right now)?

[Scarlett]

The Marine-Feld-Batterie of III Seebataillon was formed in December 1898, that is before the start of the Boxer-Rebellion.
So it was not left behind.
The battery was probably equipped with 77mm Feldkanone 96, the new standard field-piece.

According to one source it was on formation equipped with 90mm Feldkanone 73/91. Quite a lot of these guns
were still in operarion with Matrosenartillerie in Tsingdao until 1914.

In 1914 the Marine-Feld-Batterie of III. Seebataillon was definitely equipped with
six 77mm-Feldkanone 96nA. A reserve-battery was formed after the outbreak
of WWI, equipped with another six Feldkanone 96nA

[Peter H]

I can't remember which of our members posted this photo here.