Kiel Navy 1918

Vlim · 05-24-2024, 05:57 PM

A photo of navy recruits with their navy lugers, taken in 1918.

The owner of the photo, Fritz Philippe, is the one on the far right. Taken in Kiel.

He apperantly had planned to send it to his father, but it was never sent.

lugerholsterrepair · 05-27-2024, 10:02 PM

Interesting, I don't see a boarding cutlass! Not one...

Vlim · 05-28-2024, 01:39 PM

I believe these guys are ground crew, not ship bound.

When I zoom in on the original, the hats read 'Torpedo Division' what I found:

Quote:

The torpedo division is an administrative unit, not a tactical organization. It is a permanent shore station organization, forming a personnel depot for supplying the entire crews of torpedo-boats and the men for torpedo duties of other ships.

lugerholsterrepair · 05-28-2024, 01:54 PM

Gerben, My cutlass is well marked 2nd torpedo. I was thinking of the late date, 1918, perhaps the cutlass was fazed out?

Vlim · 05-28-2024, 02:01 PM

No idea, they are recruits and iirc this is where the navy upriding started in 1918. Perhaps it was safer to give them guns without ammo and no pointy things.

m1903a3 · 08-30-2024, 01:47 PM

Actually, they are wearing their SeitenGewehr 1911s (cutlasses)
You can see the broad width of the end of the hilt on several of the men.

The two Torpedo Divisions in Kiel and Wilhelmshaven, along with the Minen Abteilung in Cuxhaven were the only sailors who trained with P.04s and SG1911s instead of the GeW98 and its SG1898 bayonet.

That's because the other sailors received infantry training since they would be expected to serve as landing forces, while the torpedo men would only be serving mostly on torpedo or untersee boats where they would likely only every be in a small boarding party.

Norme · 08-31-2024, 09:03 AM

Here's a photo of a little informal "training".
Norm

Ben M. · 09-01-2024, 01:59 PM

Painted target and on brick at that. Is this odd or normal?

05-24-2024, 05:57 PM	#1
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,989 Times in 1,205 Posts	Kiel Navy 1918 A photo of navy recruits with their navy lugers, taken in 1918. The owner of the photo, Fritz Philippe, is the one on the far right. Taken in Kiel. He apperantly had planned to send it to his father, but it was never sent. Attached Thumbnails

05-27-2024, 10:02 PM	#2
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,772 Thanks: 4,940 Thanked 3,124 Times in 1,434 Posts	Interesting, I don't see a boarding cutlass! Not one... __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 l[email protected] 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

05-28-2024, 01:54 PM	#4
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,772 Thanks: 4,940 Thanked 3,124 Times in 1,434 Posts	Gerben, My cutlass is well marked 2nd torpedo. I was thinking of the late date, 1918, perhaps the cutlass was fazed out? __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 l[email protected] 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

08-30-2024, 01:47 PM	#6
m1903a3 User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 198 Thanks: 26 Thanked 315 Times in 112 Posts	Actually, they are wearing their SeitenGewehr 1911s (cutlasses) You can see the broad width of the end of the hilt on several of the men. The two Torpedo Divisions in Kiel and Wilhelmshaven, along with the Minen Abteilung in Cuxhaven were the only sailors who trained with P.04s and SG1911s instead of the GeW98 and its SG1898 bayonet. That's because the other sailors received infantry training since they would be expected to serve as landing forces, while the torpedo men would only be serving mostly on torpedo or untersee boats where they would likely only every be in a small boarding party. __________________ - Mike Life member: NRA, OVMS, VGCA Member: NAPCA, N-SSA(Veteran) Si vis pacem, para bellum

08-31-2024, 09:03 AM	#7
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,417 Thanks: 226 Thanked 2,603 Times in 933 Posts	Here's a photo of a little informal "training". Norm Attached Thumbnails

05-28-2024, 02:01 PM	#5
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,989 Times in 1,205 Posts	No idea, they are recruits and iirc this is where the navy upriding started in 1918. Perhaps it was safer to give them guns without ammo and no pointy things.

09-01-2024, 01:59 PM	#8
Ben M. User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Retired to Naples, FL. Posts: 488 Thanks: 90 Thanked 123 Times in 83 Posts	Painted target and on brick at that. Is this odd or normal?