This is a
photograph of an artillery NCO wearing the tropical uniform as worn by
the Asienkorps and other
German troops in Palestine. On the back of the photograph is
written "Sergeant M....? (possibly Mobus) Treptor, Mai 1916".
That date would probably make him part of the Pascha I Expedition
which was formed in March 1916.
He wears the 1916 khaki tunic, with plain
khaki stand and fall collar, cuffs and shoulder straps. It has six
wartime dull metal buttons down the front (and probably on each hip
pocket) each bearing the Prussian crown. His rank, Sergeant, is shown
by the use of wartime dull grey lace around the collar edge and a
button towards the rear of his collar (just visible on his right
side).
The trousers look like they are of thicker
material, probably wool and are piped down the outside seem in black
for artillery. From these details it would seem they are probably
field grey trousers (or riding breeches). The puttees as well are most
likely field grey issue as worn in Europe.
The headdress is the
1900 Bortfeldt Tropical Helmet
originally issued to the German East Asian troops in China. It bears
the same yellow metal imperial eagle and arm of service colour hatband
(in this case black edged with red for artillery) as worn by the East
Asian troops. It cannot be seen from this angle if he is also wearing
the large imperial cockade on the right hand side. He does however
wear the issue khaki neckshade.
He wears a leather belt with a wartime
Prussian other ranks belt buckle made of dull grey metal in one piece.
Prussian belt buckles bore the Prussian crown surrounded by laurel
leaves and the motto "Gott Mit Uns".
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