Tagebuch Batterie Thiele [typed manuscript]

By the Author, [1919]. Quarto. German text, signed by the author Karl Muller. Typescript diary. Title page designed by author in a silver and gold geometric design and his signed copyright page also designed in silver and gold. 14 typed leaves(recto only), 1-198 typed leaves (rectos only) I-XXIV leaves (rectos only). The life of the battery Thiele from the first to the last day live 16 November 1916 to 30 December 1918. "Batterie Thiele" including Feld Artillerie-Regiment No. 39, Field artillerie-Regiment No. 103, Infanterie Geschutz-Batterie No. 3. Each section marked by different color tissue noting date, title and chapter. The last portion of the book lists the " Das Batterielied" 24 songs and verses. While Hans Rosenthal's Kurmarkisches Feldartillerie-Regiment nr. 39 gives a detail of the Regimental history with sketches, it does not provide what it was like for the average soldier. In this remarkable memoir the author has lovingly typed the names of all 160 members of the battery as well as their place of origin. As more and more units became decimated, these "Replacement Units" were created. Here the author describes the events and the closeness they developed during the battles to the songs they sang. He gives infinite ''details on attacks and counter-attacks, the courage of his comrades and the brotherhood they shared. In the chapter "Die Tanne Fallt" (p. 55ff) he describes the bitter cold, now they hear about the revolution in Russia (p. 63) and their last Christmas in the middle of conflict in 1917 and closing with a ringing "Deutschland uber alles". The twenty-four songs are written in full at the close of the volume. A very handsome copy bound in 3/4 morocco over tan paper covered boards, spine label gilt. [008793] $2250 today net $1550 postpaid.