L.M.K. 26 Unit Markings

[Maestro]

I have found the following possible explanation for a very similar unit marking of Joop van de Kant

10-08-2004, 12:06 AM
L.M.K.72 = Leichte Munitions Kolonne Nr.72 n/A.
Source : H.R.von Stein, Munitionskolonnen und Trains 1914/18 in ZfH.

Klaus

http://luger.gunboards.com/archive/i...hp/t-2391.html

And what means Leichten-Munitions-Kolonnen (L.M.K.) :

The Munitions Supply Columns

Initially the men of the Infanterie- and Artillerie-Munitions-Kolonnen were trained and supplied by the Feldartillerie, while the Füßartillerie formed its own Munitions-Kolonnen, the latter being under the command of the various Armeekorps. In addition to this, the Feldartillerie-Abteilungen and Füßartillerie-Bataillons at the front had their own Leichten-Munitions-Kolonnen.

In autumn 1916 the complicated system of Infantry and Artillery munitions columns for Active, Reserve and Landwehr units was discontinued and all columns were regrouped as "Munitions-Kolonnen neuer Art (new style)". Once the restructuring of the Army under Hindenburg and Ludendorff had taken place the "neuer Art" was discontinued and replaced by a central numbering system and 507 Munitions-Kolonnen were created to supply both the Infanterie and Feldartillerie .

At the beginning of 1917 the Leichte-Munitions-Kolonnen (Light munitions columns) were taken from their respective Feldartillerie units and renumbered centrally under Armee level command forming 785 columns for the Artillery. (Note: “Armee level”:Under the direct command of the Army they were attached to.) A third group, the Füßartillerie-Munitions-Kolonnen-Abteilungen and the Leichten-Füßartillerie-Munitions-Kolonnen were amalgamated as Armee level Füßartillerie-Munitions-Kolonnen, which for practical reasons (with the exception of eleven which stayed at Armee level) were later reassigned as Battery level columns when the Füßartillerie units became horse drawn and needed a more flexible supply chain.

http://www.kaiserscross.com/76001/76022.html

Here's a post-card featuring LEICHTE MUNITIONS KOLONNEN 209, (L.M.K. 209) APRIL 1917