Franz Joseph of Austria as Chef of Garde Grenadier Regt 2 1849 -1914 65 years

[KAGGR#1]

Here is an early photo of Franz Joseph as a General and Chef of GGR 2
The postcard firm that published the card has him as in a Marine uniform
which is not correct .He is not yet a GFM , that was awarded in 1895
Another photo is from a magazine of the GGR 2 65 years Chef by Franz Joseph
I hope that Glenn can I D some of the officers in the photo
I guess the officer seated on the right is the regiment Commander
Steve

 

[Glennj]

I hope that Glenn can I D some of the officers in the photo

Steve,

happy to assist.

The sitting field officer as you correctly surmise is the regimental commander, Oberst Joseph Freiherr Raitz von Frentz.

The three standing GGR 2 officers are from left to right:

Hauptmann Hellmuth von Hagen, commanding 5. Kompagnie.

Leutnant Heinrich von Vietinghoff gen. Scheel, regimental adjutant (Later Generaloberst)

Major Victor von Brauchitsch, commanding II. Bataillon.

The Prussian hussar officer is Oberstleutnant Paul Ludendorff, commanding Husaren-Regiment Nr. 16.

Regards
Glenn

 

[KAGGR#1]

Steve,

happy to assist.

The sitting field officer as you correctly surmise is the regimental commander, Oberst Joseph Freiherr Raitz von Frentz.

The three standing GGR 2 officers are from left to right:

Hauptmann Hellmuth von Hagen, commanding 5. Kompagnie.

Leutnant Heinrich von Vietinghoff gen. Scheel, regimental adjutant (Later Generaloberst)

Major Victor von Brauchitsch, commanding II. Bataillon.

The Prussian hussar officer is Oberstleutnant Paul Ludendorff, commanding Husaren-Regiment Nr. 16.

Regards
Glenn

Glenn
Many thanks
That is great information
My 1914 rang List shows there were 3 G d I that were a al suite to Garde Grenadier Regt 2 then
old Gothic print , so not sure that my spelling is 100 % correct
G d I von Blomberg died 15 10 24
G d I von Gossler passed away after the printing in 1935 I think ? He got his Military career started in GGR2
G d I von Schwartztoppen died 8 1 17
I have not yet worked my way back to see if there were other Generals a al suite to GGR 2
I had looked and tried to find photos of the above 3 Generals but with no luck
I guess that they were not as well known as some of the other Prussian generals

I know that Bermhard of Sachsen-Meiningen
held the special rank of Col. General with the Honorary rank of GFM in the GGR 2 with 4 rank stars
on his epaulettes and shoulder straps.
I have a single shoulder strap of his removed from his uniform
Many thanks
Steve

 

[Glennj]

I have not yet worked my way back to see if there were other Generals a al suite to GGR 2
I had looked and tried to find photos of the above 3 Generals but with no luck

Steve.

seek and you will find

Hermann von Blomberg




Konrad von Goßler



Maximilian von Schwartzkoppen



Regards
Glenn

 

[Glennj]

I have not yet worked my way back to see if there were other Generals a al suite to GGR 2

This will save you the bother

Regards
Glenn

 

[KAGGR#1]

This will save you the bother

Regards
Glenn

View attachment 66548

Glenn ;
Once again you are the man!
Great information as always
Question ;
The 2 G d I under "uniform "
Please explain ; They are allowed / entitled to wear the uniform , but not active with the regiment ?
Since they are the same rank as the a al suite G d I would their epaulettes be any different
from the other Generals ?
I know in other ranks a retired officer epaulettes have changes
the silver tressa tape has an extra color stripe added to it
also the crescents change from gilt to silver
Thanks
Steve

 

[Glennj]

Steve,

There was no difference in insignia between a “Chef”, General à la suite of a unit or of a retired general awarded a regiments’ uniform; that is the epaulettes of a regimental officer however with the epaulette fringe of a general officer. The epaulette holder was of the pattern of an active officer.

Regards
Glenn

 

[KAGGR#1]

Steve,

There was no difference in insignia between a “Chef”, General à la suite of a unit or of a retired general awarded a regiments’ uniform; that is the epaulettes of a regimental officer however with the epaulette fringe of a general officer. The epaulette holder was of the pattern of an active officer.

Regards
Glenn

Glenn
Many thanks
Steve

 

[KAGGR#1]

Here is another G d I strap for GGR2 in feldgrau that I have
Steve

 

[Glennj]

Here is Generalleutnant z.D. Hermann von Chappuis. He is mistakenly shown as Wilhelm in the list above.

Regards
Glenn

 

[KAGGR#1]

These could also be added GGR 2 of K W II
Steve

 

[KAGGR#1]

I was able to complete my deal.
Just arrived today
This pair
the Chef of Garde Grenadier Regt 2
in the Rank of GFM
they could only have been worn by Franz Joseph of Austria
as Chef of the regiment
Franz Joseph was made a GFM in 1895
1909 he was Chef of GGR 2 for 60 years
1914 he was Chef for 65 years
The only other person with the rank of GFM for GGR 2
would have been Kaiser Wilhelm
However, the Kaiser always wore the cypher of his grandfather
on all of his Prussian epaulettes and shoulder straps
Steve

 

[Khukri]

Steve,
Congratulations to these.

 

[Khukri]

Here is an early photo of Franz Joseph as a General and Chef of GGR 2
The postcard firm that published the card has him as in a Marine uniform
which is not correct .He is not yet a GFM , that was awarded in 1895
Another photo is from a magazine of the GGR 2 65 years Chef by Franz Joseph
I hope that Glenn can I D some of the officers in the photo
I guess the officer seated on the right is the regiment Commander
SteveView attachment 66533View attachment 66534View attachment 66535View attachment 66536

Nice set of photographs.

 

[2nd.Leibhusar]

Congratulations Steve with this amazing addition to your fabulous collection!

 

[southsando]

Nice eppaulettes Steve!

 

[Jvpi]

Incredible

 

[dave mosher]

Do any of you have portraits, cabinet photos, and/or "field" photos of company officers for this regiment between 1910 and the end of the war?

Thanks

Dave

 

[Jvpi]

https://flic.kr/p/2nPseYy

 

[dave mosher]

Thank you for sharing with this photo!