***Antonio Wednesday’s Wonders ***
A commemorative medal of the IR 17.
Another one in the bag. This time we are talking about the commemorative medal of the 100 years of the formation of the 17th Infantry Regiment or Infanterie-Regiment „Graf Barfuß“ (4. Westfälisches) Nr. 17.
Having a look at the book of Chris Dale, “Traditions of the Imperial Germany Infantry Regiments”, we can find a bit of its history and the battles and conflicts they fought during those 100 years and later on during the First World War.
So this regiment saw first action during the Napoleonic wars. They also saw action during the revolutions, that took place in Germany in 1848 and 1849. They were not used against Denmark in 1849 or in 1864.
The next big “event” from them was the Bruderkrieg in 1866, when they fought against the Austrian and allies in the iconic battle of Königgrätz. As iconic in 1866 as the one Gravelotte-St. Privat in 1870, where they also saw action.
The name “Graf Barfuß” was given in memory of the Prussian Field Marshal and Prime Minister Hans Albrecht von Barfuß.
They had their Garrison in 1914 in Mörchingen (Morhange) in Lothringen (Lorraine) and was part of the 42thInfanterie Division (for the entire War).
This regiment fought in the Western front during 1914 (Nancy-Epinal and later on in the Somme). At the beginning of 1915, they were transferred to the Eastern Front, Fighting in the Masuren, in Ukraine and in the Baltic Countries, for example, in the Battle of Riga in 1917. At the end of this year, it was transferred to the Western Front.
During 1918, they fought in Flandern, Soissons und Reims. To be sent in August to Champgane, where they found the end of the war, facing the American troops.
So, I am sure, this is not going to be the last medal to come into my collection…. By the way, I also attach a pic of it…
Sources:
“Traditions of the Imperial Germany Infantry Regiments”, from Chris Dale
Histories of the 251 Divisions of the German Army, which participated in the War 1914-1918.