Kiel Navy 1918

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.

08-30-2024, 01:47 PM	#6
m1903a3 User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 199 Thanks: 26 Thanked 320 Times in 113 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