Hi Lance    yes unfortunately it’s missing it’s badge and hanger . Im trying to figure out why the hanger ring is on the left hand side of the scabbard and not on the right as all others i have seen , the dagger only goes in that way which leaves the hanger ring on the left side and no screws on the scabbard have been touched? bit of a mystery!

Imperial Army shoulder board of a one-year volunteer (Einjaehrig Freiwilliger - reserve officer candidate) of Infanterie-Regiment "Kaiser Wilhelm" (2. Grossherzoglich Hessisches) Nr. 116. The Regiment was garrisoned in Giessen, Hesse. A very nice rank insignia, thanks for sharing!

Merry Christmas and welcome to the WMF!

Merry Christmas Marc and welcome to the forum!

Great examples! As someone noted, the solid red ribbon denotes a peacetime award. The addition of swords on the other ribbon further denotes that it was awarded for frontline excellence/bravery ("courage in the face of the enemy") specifically.

Hi Don - this is a collecting area of mine and to my knowledge there is no book out there. What is neat - which might already be on your radar - is that ~2.5 million casualty cards have been digitized and indexed by Ancestry.com. If you have an account there, there's a relatively high chance of finding the relevant cards to KIAs before 1944 (later ones are very hit and miss). These cards will show place/date of birth, recruiting unit, active unit, rank, and usually cause of death as well as place of burial. Great way to research the otherwise cryptic death cards (which intentionally left out a lot of the information we would find most interesting).

Hello all,   Excited to come aboard. I primarily focus on German militaria and am particularly interested in mountain warfare in both world wars. This forum was recommended in another forum - and I look forward to exploring.

Fascinating subject area!

I seem to be getting closer. It looks a lot like the Commander of the Republic of China Navy Badge. The only thing I notice different is the "flower" on top of the commander's badge.

Can anyone help me ID this board and tell me when it was used? Thanks!

Thanks I will have to see what I can find, and if they are interested +++ I need to find more images of BULLE, looking at the photo images in this Group I expect to find HIM since these are supposedly BEFORE the Liberation of Albertville, thinking that may be him in the lighter colored uniform in front, and along side of the marching Unit in another. BUT ????

Welcome aboard Marc.