The Good Comrade...

Here's a striking picture by Anton Hoffman that I came across recently entitled "The good comrade":

Südwest Afrika

Prior to the First World War, Germany had built up a small world-wide empire in an effort to compete with their main rivals, the British and the French. Part of Germany's empire was located in Africa and in particular Südwest Afrika or what is today know as Namibia.

Map of present-day Namibia, the territory that was once German Südwest Afrika.

The German military force that garrisoned Südwest Afrika consisted of the Schutztruppe, a force that was specifically recruited for colonial service, separate from the main German military establishment (the biggest distinction is that it was a "national" force that belonged to no individual German state). However, members of the German Army were often seconded to the Schutztruppe and there are records of Chevaulegers having served (and died).

At it's height, the Schutztruppe consisted of some 17 companies, all mounted (one rode camels) for maximum mobility in a mostly arid/desert country with almost no roads or other transportation infrastructure. Below are some illustrations of the Schutztruppe:

Moving into action.

The Kamel Kompanie

    

Individual Trooper

Another picture of the Kamel Kompanie.

German Column

This is just a brief glimpse of the Schutztruppen of Südwest Afrika and I hope to write some more on this subject in the future.

  

Cavalry in Battle

The video below has some interesting comments about cavalry and how they are depicted in movies as opposed to the reality. It's focus is on the use of cavalry in Ancient and Medieval times but still bears some validity to the First World War period. Naturally, the biggest issue is that in reality, the horse made for a large target that was readily attacked by the enemy. But this can't be readily depicted in film since they are not actually trying to kill the horses (in theory, anyway). It's worth a listen.



The 2 Chevauleger, Recreated - The Early Years, Part 2

Here are some more pictures of the 2 Chevauleger at Jack Rabbit Trails in 2001-2003:

The Opening Barrage

A Nice Hit...

Myself and one of the former unit members c. 2002

Group Shot- We had a variety of uniforms and equipment.

Defending Forward

Lineup

The Enemy is Out There...

Lineup Again...



Moving Towards Spring...

Spring will be here sooner than one thinks, especially here in Calfornia, and that means the Great War Historical Society's Spring Battle which this year is scheduled on the weekend of March 27-29. For the 2 Chevauleger, this means that we must prepare ourselves for the coming battle. Some things that we'll have to do to prepare are:

1. Re-stock on blanks and check to see if more stripper clips need to be orders (they have a way of getting lost).
2. Prepare grenade simulators- one can never have enough of these.
3. Ensure that one's uniform and kit are complete and in good repair.
4. Coordinate with each other in regard to mess arrangements.

This is only the beginning. Another aspect is that because the battlesite is relatively new, there is a lot of work that needs to be done to the trenchworks and especially the 2 Chevauleger bunker which is under construction. We will attempt to schedule at least one or two workdays prior to the battle so that we can put in some work. Completing the bunker is essential in order that we have some shelter at night during the battle. Up to now, the alternative has been to set up tents in the hobo camp area, something I would like us to get away from. Even if the work is partially done, we can still make use of it by stringing a couple of tarps overhead for shelter.

This is just a rough sketch of what needs to be done but it least gives a starting point.

Horrido!

The "Transitional Uniform" Recreated

Here are a few pictures illustrating my recreation of one possible uniform that a trooper in the 2 Chevauleger could worn circa 1915-16. These pictures were taken at a steampunk (yeah, I know, it's a long story) event that was held aboard the HMS Queen Mary which is now permanently docked in Long Beach, California and is now a museum.

In the above picture I am wearing the Bavarian version of the 1915 pattern Bluse which was meant to replace the variety of tunics used by the various branches in the German Army. Pinned on the Bluse are ribbons for Bavarian Long Service, Service in the China Relief Expedition in 1900-01, and Service in Southwest Africa 1903-05.

The shoulder boards are carmine with dark green trim. This was authorized on an interim basis due to the shortage of Orange-Rot (orange red) wool fabric to make shoulder boards per the 1916 new uniform regulations.

The transitional shoulder boards.

These are the proper shoulder boards per the 1916 regulations.

Naturally, the eye is attracted to the fact that the 1915 pattern cavalry breeches I am wearing are of a different shade of wool than the tunic. Colors did vary from lot to lot even though the color is supposed to be Feldgrau. As the war went on, color of fabrics and especially wool would vary more and more as a result of materials shortages.

The visored cap is a private purchase item, trimmed in the carmine trim of the 2 Chevauleger.

The breeches are the 1915 pattern cavalry breeches. The pair depicted in the picture were recently made for me and I was wearing them for the first time. There is a 1909 pattern Chevauleger Ulanka to go with them but I have not sewn the buttons on it yet.

I am also wearing the 1911 sword belt sans the actual sword. I probably should have worn the proper 84/98 bayonet with sword knot but due to paranoia over weapons in public places these days, I opted to go without.

The 1911 Sword Belt, Disassembled

Another View

The 1911 Sword Belt, Complete

For footwear, I am wearing private purchase ankle boots with leather leggings. I probably should have also had NCO insignia since this was a more common look for an NCO as opposed to an enlisted man but it still could have happened. Finally, just for effect, I also had a riding crop with me.

The above is a bit impromptu but I hope it helps give an idea of just one of the possible variations of a proper 2 Chevauleger uniform during the First World War era. The one thing that I have discovered in researching uniforms of the German Army, there was a lot more variation in the details than one would expect and especially as the war progressed.

Horrido!

Winter is Here!

It looks like winter has arrived...

Dragoon, Winter 1915