Portraits of Romanian Soldiers

Hmm...all quiet on the western front!

The card was given in exchange of a 5 lei contribution to the building of the Marasti mausoleum. The photo was most likely glued on later.

Hi guys!Can you tell me something about this pictures!I found it in my family pictures but none of my relatives ,as far as i now,has mounted a horse before

Interwar photo of men of the 12th Rosiori Regiment

Very nice photo!

It seems there is the trumpeters squad of the 12th Rosiori Regiment (as it was written on the photo), of about 1930s. Note the white colour of the trumpeters horses, typical for the cavalry military bands. The rest of the horses of a cavalry unit had any other colour but white. Usually, the horses in a squadron were of the same colour: black, gray, brown, etc.

The Kannonier is wearing a later version of AH tunic (with folding collar and apparent breast pockets), adopted in 1916, probably made in german Feldgrau, rather than the traditional AH Hechtgrau, used at the beginning of the war. He belonged to a Honved (Hungarian Royal Army) artillery unit, because of the Hungarian style knots carried on the trousers…

As far as I know the AH troops were sent on the Western Front only in 1918. The 18th AH Corps was composed of 4 infantry divisions. One of them was the 35th Infantry Division, of the common army, composed of Transylvanians. But it was also the 37th Honved (Royal Hungarian) Infantry Division. Was your ancestor romanian or hungarian? Maybe your grand-grand father belonged to that unit?

No, I would not remove the picture, what remains underneath will have to remain one of life's little mystery's. I am sure a similar card, less picture will turn up somewhere some time in the future.

Kevin in Deva.

Hallo alexei2102,

the picture would have been taken in a photographic studio in a town somewhere,

the table with vase of flowers and the painted background or hanging cloth,

are typical of such pictures, it was probably taken while he was on leave,

or at home on a visit.

Pictures of these are typical of the period, and sent to family and friends.

Also notes he wears no military equipment, carries no bayonet, pistol etc..etc

looks very fresh, rested, is clean shaven, and wearing good clothes.

which also suggest he was well behind the front lines at this particular point in time.

Kevin in Deva.

Indeed, his trousers are adorned with the so-called 'vitéz kötés' (approx. 'braveman knot'). However, the cap badge is not painted in the typical Hungarian red-white-green stripes, so he might have belonged to an Austrian army unit.

With such a name I doubt he was an ethnic Rumanian. He was either ethnic German (Saxon), or Hungarian.

Gen. Dénes

This post has been edited by Dénes on June 01, 2008 11:15 am

Indeed, his trousers are adorned with the so-called 'vitéz kötés' (approx. 'braveman knot'). However, the cap badge is not painted in the typical Hungarian red-white-green stripes, so he might have belonged to an Austrian army unit.

With such a name I doubt he was an ethnic Rumanian. He was either ethnic German (Saxon), or Hungarian.

Gen. Dénes

During WW1, and before, all AH military, including those of the Honved, had Franz Jozef I cypher ("FJI") stamped on the cap badge. Franz Jozef was also king of Hungary...

Our friend Alexei will tell the ethnicity of his greatgrandfather, for sure.
Until then, my 2 cent contribution: Alexei said the name of his ancestor was Francisc; if we supose that the man was hungarian, then Francisc should be Ferenc, isnt he? Or if he was german, he should be named Franz instead Francisc, isnt he? I dont say the man was romanian, i say only that is very posible that he is not-german and not-hungarian. Maybe of slav origin...
But Alexei will solve the mistery

Gents,

Thank you for your feedback. My great grandpa was of German ethnicity. After WW1 he married a Romanian girl and he stayed here.

During WW2 he worked for the German Army, ny helping them build airfields, since he was a qualified engineer.

Below there are two more fotos of him, from ww2, during a "break", with some German soldiers, here in Romania.

Cheers,

Al

Now I can explain why he was "Francisc" and not "Franz", even if he was german.

Gents,

Some other portraits:

1. A Regal Officer, decorat with the German Order of the Eagle, second class:



This post has been edited by Alexei2102 on July 12, 2008 09:23 pm

And, secondly:

2. A Romanian Pilot/Air Gunner, wearing the Romanian Pilot Badge, and the German Air Gunner Badge.

Picture is dated on the back, signed and dedicated. Year is 1943.



This post has been edited by Alexei2102 on July 12, 2008 09:23 pm