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Well, we are about to say “Tschüß” to 2022. So let’s use Beer to say it… or better to say a “Bierkrug”. This time, I am showing a “Glasskrug” from a NCO of the Königlich Bayerisches 3. Infanterie-Regiment „Prinz Karl von Bayern“. It is a very “Munich” Glass, with the 2 Towers of the “Frauenkirche” of Munich.

It is really heavy and in the lid we can read: “Loyal and Camaraderie. To the “Kameradenschaftsführer” F X Sommers”. After talking to a great collector, he told me, a Kameradenschafts was an association (maybe without approved Statues). So this looks to be a present of the association members to the leader of it.

We can read also the name: F X Sommer or better to say: Franz Xaver Sommer.

Having a look at this name, adding the Regiment, there are a couple of candidates. But between all of them, the one, that makes more sense to be is an NCO from the beautiful city of Passau, who was born on the 28th of June 1891 and was a Law Student right before the start of the war.

He did join the army in the Infantry Regiment Number 16, which was part of the 1st Bavarian Division, I Bavarian Army Corps. What it is really strange (or at least I do not why), he wasn’t called in August but in October 1914 (01.10.1914), with the regiment already taking part in the race to the see.

A couple of months later, in May 1915, he joined the 3rd Infantry Regiment, which was part of the 2ndBavarian Division. Still before that, he was already involved in some fights in the French Flanders.

He was promoted to Vizefeldwebel during 1915 and also took part in the Spring Battles in Arras and La Bassée (Lorettoschlacht). This offensive resulted in a couple of kilometre advance by the allied forces but at huge costs in human lives and material.

In August 1915, he was transferred to the Reserve Infantry Regiment Number 17, where he served until May 1916, when he was injured and stayed out of action until 1917, being sent back home in Passau for no less than 7 months. When he came back on duty, he re-joined again the 3rdInfantry Regiment.

Unfortunately, there are no records of more actions after 1917, only a couple of indications from 1918, so he survived the war. As I said before, looking at the story of other “Sommer”, this was the best option.

To finish, it is fair to mention his decorations (see attached a picture as example of them).

18th February 1916 – Prussian Iron Cross 2nd Class.

11th March 1916 – Bavarian Military Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords. Given to Vizefeldwebel, Feldwebel or Fähnriche.

Sources:

Hauptarchiv München.

Fotos from my Collection.