DWM 1915 unit marking help?

CB GUN · 02-24-2013, 02:08 PM

I have been told, I have a very unique addition to my WW1, 2 collection but I will admit I'm a dummy in this area, this one is unit marked and I have no idea what it means, can anyone help me desifer the following,

15.B.L.J.R.10.K.

Thanks for any help...
Steve

George Anderson · 02-24-2013, 02:32 PM

Probably 15th Bavarian Landwehr Infantry Regiment 10th Company. Photos would be helpful.

Neil Young · 02-24-2013, 06:15 PM

Thanks George. That was exactly what I had decided that it meant, but I didn't have enough confidence in my call to post it. I'll get better at it with practicel

kubel · 02-24-2013, 11:22 PM

Perhaps, 15th Bayerische Landwehr Jäger Regiment, 10th Kompanie? Looks to me like the third letter is possibly a "J", not an "I".

Neil Young · 02-25-2013, 07:10 AM

It is a "J" and you said the same thing that George said, just in a different language.

George Anderson · 02-25-2013, 09:32 AM

There was no Bavarian 15th Landwehr Jaeger Regiment.

Ron Wood · 02-25-2013, 10:12 AM

Jägers are mounted (I think) riflemen, Infantry are foot soldiers. I once heard the rationale for using a "J" instead of an "I" but I forget the reason. Perhaps to make sure the designation was for infantry and not a Roman numeral?

George Anderson · 02-25-2013, 12:36 PM

[QUOTE=Ron Wood;229706]Jägers are mounted (I think) riflemen, Infantry are foot soldiers.

Ron, not quite. Jaegers were highly skilled riflemen. These units were historically drawn from country men with well developed talents as woodsmen and hunters, hence the title Jaeger. Traditionally the Jaegers were in the same category as American Rangers and British "Rifles" during the 18th and 19th centuries. Historically their job was to form skirmish lines ahead of advancing Infantry columns and as sharpshooters pick-off officers, NCOs, buglers, etc in the enemy infantry lines.

As to being mounted, some of them were; Jaeger Battalions each had at least one company of cyclist troops. These cyclist units were crucial to providing extra fire-power to German Cavalry units in 1914 as they tried to outflank the allies by swinging up along the Channel.

02-24-2013, 02:08 PM	#1
CB GUN New User Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	DWM 1915 unit marking help? I have been told, I have a very unique addition to my WW1, 2 collection but I will admit I'm a dummy in this area, this one is unit marked and I have no idea what it means, can anyone help me desifer the following, 15.B.L.J.R.10.K. Thanks for any help... Steve Last edited by CB GUN; 02-24-2013 at 09:50 PM. Reason: added pic

02-24-2013, 06:15 PM	#3
Neil Young Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Scottsboro, Alabama Posts: 540 Thanks: 546 Thanked 438 Times in 165 Posts	Thanks George. That was exactly what I had decided that it meant, but I didn't have enough confidence in my call to post it. I'll get better at it with practicel __________________ Neil The hurrier I go the behinder I get. Sometimes it takes me all day to get nothing done.

02-25-2013, 07:10 AM	#5
Neil Young Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Scottsboro, Alabama Posts: 540 Thanks: 546 Thanked 438 Times in 165 Posts	It is a "J" and you said the same thing that George said, just in a different language. __________________ Neil The hurrier I go the behinder I get. Sometimes it takes me all day to get nothing done.

02-25-2013, 10:12 AM	#7
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 6,986 Thanks: 1,065 Thanked 5,088 Times in 1,674 Posts	Jägers are mounted (I think) riflemen, Infantry are foot soldiers. I once heard the rationale for using a "J" instead of an "I" but I forget the reason. Perhaps to make sure the designation was for infantry and not a Roman numeral? __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

02-25-2013, 12:36 PM	#8
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,769 Thanked 2,527 Times in 786 Posts	[QUOTE=Ron Wood;229706]Jägers are mounted (I think) riflemen, Infantry are foot soldiers. Ron, not quite. Jaegers were highly skilled riflemen. These units were historically drawn from country men with well developed talents as woodsmen and hunters, hence the title Jaeger. Traditionally the Jaegers were in the same category as American Rangers and British "Rifles" during the 18th and 19th centuries. Historically their job was to form skirmish lines ahead of advancing Infantry columns and as sharpshooters pick-off officers, NCOs, buglers, etc in the enemy infantry lines. As to being mounted, some of them were; Jaeger Battalions each had at least one company of cyclist troops. These cyclist units were crucial to providing extra fire-power to German Cavalry units in 1914 as they tried to outflank the allies by swinging up along the Channel. Last edited by George Anderson; 02-25-2013 at 03:47 PM.

02-24-2013, 02:32 PM	#2
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,769 Thanked 2,527 Times in 786 Posts	Probably 15th Bavarian Landwehr Infantry Regiment 10th Company. Photos would be helpful.

02-24-2013, 11:22 PM	#4
kubel User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 124 Thanks: 5 Thanked 32 Times in 20 Posts	Perhaps, 15th Bayerische Landwehr Jäger Regiment, 10th Kompanie? Looks to me like the third letter is possibly a "J", not an "I".

02-25-2013, 09:32 AM	#6
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,769 Thanked 2,527 Times in 786 Posts	There was no Bavarian 15th Landwehr Jaeger Regiment.