"German Cavalry Flags in WWI" Topic

Question about German regimental colors in 1914. Germany was one of the few countries to carry its regimentals into battle, at least for the Guns of August campaign. I also know there was a standard pattern and for the infantry, at least, the background cross color was based on the shoulder strap color of the corps, eg, IV Korps – scarlet, so infantry flags all had the design of the picture below. This was based on a decree from the Kaiser in 1890.

But what about the cavalry, was there a similar system for their flags? Given they were assigned to the various corps during peacetime (forming divisions and so on after the declaration of hostilities), I thought they might have followed the infantry system but a check of a few cavalry regiments against the peacetime OB showed the color schemes did not match.

Any idea what process the Germans used to determine cavalry standard colors?

Asked and answered yesterday. TMP link

Jim

Well, kinda. Still not as much information as I need so I was hoping there might be someone else on this group who had a clue.

Do you have access to 'Pro Gloria et Patria: Geschichte der Fahnen und Standarten der Königlich Preussischen Armee 1808-1918' by Redlin? It has pics of most German flags of the period.
Or 'Ruhmreiche Fahnen deutscher Geschichte'. Not quite as extensive as the other but has lots of flag drawings.

The Prussians during the early 1900's are the easiest German contingent to research, Camcleod. I think Bill's after the flags of the other contingents- Bavaria, Württemburg, Hesse, etc. That information is a bit harder to find, especially on the net. There's some B&W illustrations in Fiebig, plus some examples sprinkled through the Heer und Tradition plates. From memory there's some B&W photos in one of the Bavarian Army Museum year books, too, but they're in a box in storage and bloody hard to retrieve. Nor is my memory the most reliable.

Camcleod, thanks for the tip. I actually was able to download a full and free digital copy of "Fahnenbilder \: Ruhmreiche Fahnen deutscher Geschichte \: die Fahnen und Standarten der alten Armee" from the University of Gdansk in Poland. Quite frankly, I found it quite detailed and extensive. Obviously it helps that I read German :).

The URL for the download (button up at the top left next to HIDE DETAILS) and readable online edition is:

link

No luck on Redlin, but with this I think I can finally move forward and finish this project up, so thanx muchly and may the dice be forever in your favor!

Colonel Bill

Happy to be of help.
Some years ago a member here sent me copies of those works when I was researching some early German flags.
As for the Redlin books I gather that only a handful of copies still exist ?? Found one set in the Toronto Canada public library.

That's an excellent link, Bill. Thanks.

Now to find which book carton my Langenscheidt is in…..