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This is a
photograph taken in Tsingtao, China, sometime between 1909
and 1914. It
shows a unit of the
Tsingtao Chinese Police
at what looks like a swearing in ceremony for new recruits.
The police are all wearing light khaki
summer uniforms. Their Chinese style tunics have four or five tie
attachments down the front, and small standing collars. The
trousers are matching and are tucked into dark blue/grey puttees.
Most of the men wear German leather marching boots but some have
Chinese sandals with white socks. The figure in the centre
foreground has an armband in the German imperial colours
(black/white/red). None of the Chinese wear any headdress,
presumably for the purpose of the ceremony, but various types of
Chinese headdress were usually worn by these police on duty (see
Tsingtao Chinese Police).
On the right of the photograph is
their German commander. The Tsingtao Chinese Police were commanded
by German officers and NCOs from the III. Seebataillon and Naval
Batteries. It is difficult to make out the details of this
figure's uniform. He is certainly wearing a white summer uniform
and dark peaked cap, and could belong to either the Marine
Infantry or Imperial Navy. |
