Drum Dogs

In one of the East Prussian, or more precisely Königsberg regiments, namely the 43rd Infantry (Infanterie-Regiment Herzog Karl von Mecklenburg-Strelitz (6. Ostpreussisches) Nr. 43), not only people but also dogs served in the musical chapel. Paukenhunds (Paukenhund - "drum dog" or "timpanist dog") were in military service for about 70 years and took part in several wars with the regiment.

The 43rd Infantry Regiment "Duke Karl von Mecklenburg-Strelitz" (6th East Prussian) was formed on May 5, 1860 during the reform of the Prussian army by Field Marshal Count Albrecht von Roon as part of three infantry regiments of the Landwehr (in Insterburg, Gumbinnen and Lötzen).

From July 4, 1860, it was renamed the 6th East Prussian Infantry Regiment. After the war of 1866, the regiment was assigned to the garrison of Königsberg and occupied barracks on Steindamm.

Kaserne am Stenidamm Koenigsberg — Barracks of the 43rd Infantry Regiment on Steindamm

By a special decree of Kaiser Wilhelm II on January 27, 1889, the regiment was named after Duke Karl von Mecklenburg (Karl Friedrich August Mecklenburg-Strelitz, 1785-1837, general of the Prussian army, participant in the wars with Napoleon, half-brother of Queen Louise of Prussia). From this date on, the regiment was called the 43rd Infantry Regiment "Duke Karl von Mecklenburg-Strelitz" (6th East Prussian).

Koenigsberg Kaserne Inf-Reg Nr 43 6 Ostpr. 1917 — Barracks of the 43rd Infantry Regiment. 1917 (postmark).

Steindammer Kaserne Winter — The 43rd Infantry (6th Prussian) Regiment is being formed on the parade ground near the barracks

During the Prussian War against Austria in 1866, the regiment took part in the battles of Trautenau (now Trutnov, Czech Republic) and Königgrätz (Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic). During the Franco-Prussian War of 1870–71, the regiment fought in Lorraine and took part in the siege of Metz.

The regiment was mobilized to participate in World War I on August 2, 1914. It took part in battles in East Prussia (near Gumbinnen, Tannenberg and in the Masurian Lakes region). In March 1915, it was transferred to the Western Front, near Verdun, for four months, and then redeployed again to the Eastern Front. In December 1916, the 2nd and 3rd machine-gun companies joined the regiment. After the cessation of hostilities on the Eastern Front in 1917, the regiment was again transferred to Verdun. In March 1918, it took part in the spring offensive in France, and later in the battles of the Somme. In mid-August, the 3rd battalion of the regiment was transferred to the 376th Infantry Regiment. During the battles near Laffaux in September 1918, almost the entire regiment was captured.

In December 1918, the regiment was demobilized and on July 12, 1919, it was disbanded. Two Freikorps units were formed from the demobilized soldiers of the regiment, which later became part of the 96th Reichswehr Infantry Regiment. By decree of the commander of the Reichswehr ground forces, Hans von Seeckt, dated August 16, 1921, the 16th company was included in the 1st (Prussian) Infantry Regiment in Königsberg.

Infantry Regiment 43 — Soldiers of the 43rd Infantry Regiment. Most likely, the picture shows "demobilized" soldiers of the 9th company. Among the inscriptions, the following can be made out: Inf. Regt. Herzog Karl 6. Otpr. 43 Kngbg. 9. Komp.; Dem Regiment den letzten Gruß, treu kehr ich wieder wenn ich muß (The last greeting to my regiment, I am ready to return - I am loyal to it!); 09 Parole Heimat (09 Password - Homeland); 11 Reserve mit Ruh! (11 For demobilization!) In the lower left corner of the photo, next to the drum cart, lies the St. Bernard Pasha. 1911 (?)

But let's get back to our dogs. The first time that paukenhunds appeared was in the Austrian army. In the Battle of Königgrätz, the 43rd Infantry Regiment captured a drum cart of the 77th Austrian Infantry Regiment named after Archduke Karl Salvator of Tuscany. The drum, as well as the cart, were damaged in the battle. The drum dog harnessed to the cart - a St. Bernard named Sultan - was killed in the battle. At the end of the war, the 43rd Regiment returned to the garrison. The soldiers took the drum cart with them as a trophy. As the regiment marched through the streets of Königsberg, it aroused great interest among the townspeople who met the soldiers. In 1867, the regiment was allowed to accept dogs into service and provide them with provisions (with all the ensuing consequences). Like the Austrians, the Prussians used St. Bernards as drum dogs. They were harnessed to a specially made cart, on which a large drum was installed. For long and conscientious service, a paukenhund could receive the stripes of a sergeant.

Drum dogs soon became a sort of calling card for the 43rd Regiment. A St. Bernard harnessed to a cart became a popular motif on postcards. Traditionally, the dogs were given the names Pasha and Sultan. The 43rd Regiment's musical chapel included at least two kettledrum dogs, although some postcards show three dogs.

Trolley and Trolleybus with Easter and Sultan in 1874 — Drum dogs Pasha and Sultan near the regimental drummer. 1874.

Pasha and Sultan Koenigsberg 1904 — Drum dogs with their handlers, 1904. The postcard shows three dogs, at least one of which is not a St. Bernard.

In peacetime, drum dogs took part in parades and concerts. The changing of the guard at the Royal Castle of Königsberg followed by an open-air concert at the Castle (Lower) Pond was a popular spectacle among the townspeople. The unusual show performed by the military orchestras of the Königsberg garrison (seven regimental and two battalion) attracted crowds of people not only near the castle, but also in the zoo and the summer theater "Luizenhöh". In winter, the skating club's skating rink became a concert venue.

Koenigsberg Schlossplatz Military Concert — Concert of a military orchestra on the Castle Square in Königsberg. 1890s – 1910s.

But the Pauchenhunds were real soldiers. On August 30, 1914, in the Battle of Tannenberg, the St. Bernard Pasha miraculously escaped Russian captivity - at the risk of his life, he was saved from under fire by the 5th Company sergeant major Fritz Purwin. Pasha served in the regiment until 1919. After the regiment was disbanded in 1919, the dog was retired and lived out his dog days on the estate of a former officer of the regiment.

Paukenhund with Trommelwagen 6 Ostpr Regiment — Drum dog of the musical chapel of the 43rd infantry regiment

When the Reichswehr was formed, drum dogs were revived – in 1924, Colonel General Hans von Seeckt passed on the unique tradition of the 43rd Regiment to the 2nd Battalion of the 1st Infantry Regiment. The drum cart was found in the museum in the old town hall on Kneiphof. It was repaired. The merchant Karlitzky donated a St. Bernard, and the second was purchased by former officers of the 43rd Regiment.

1926 at the Reichswehr — In service in the Reichswehr. 1926.

For a short period of time, drum dogs were in Insterburg.

When the Wehrmacht was being created, the regiment was again part of the Königsberg garrison. The military traditions of the 43rd regiment were transferred to the 3rd company of the 1st (Prussian) regiment. Both drum dogs, Sultan and Pasha, were the only such dogs in the Wehrmacht. Their care and training were the responsibility of the musician who played the big drum. The dogs took part in the Polish campaign, although they were in Königsberg at the time. During the storming of Königsberg in April 1945, the Pauchenhund trainer, Olkhorst, shot his family and dogs, and then committed suicide.

It is known that the drum wagon was painted blue and had wheels with metal rims until the autumn maneuvers of 1937. But for the maneuvers, the firm "Continental AG" provided rubber tires, which significantly reduced the weight of the wagon.

spiderhund mini — The drum cart was painted blue.

In 2010, a monument to the drum dogs of the 43rd regiment was erected in Kaliningrad. The author of the sculptural composition is A. Shevtsov.

Paukenhund 43 Inf-Regiment Denkmal Kaliningrad drum dogs — Monument to the drum dogs of the 43rd Infantry (6th Prussian) Regiment in Kaliningrad. 2015.

Paukenhund denkmal Kaliningrad 2015 — Kaliningrad drum dog

Towards the end of the 43rd anniversary of the Inf-Reg. — Postcard in honor of the 50th anniversary of the 43rd Infantry Regiment. 1906.

2nd Battalion Infanterie Regiment 43 — Despite the fact that drum dogs were not on the staff of the 2nd company of the 43rd regiment, stationed in Pillau, they were depicted on commemorative postcards. 1914.

Pillau Trommelwagen 1910 — Greetings from Pillau. 1910.

43rd Infantry Regiment and Paukenhund 1912 — Combined military orchestra with a dog timpanist. Königsberg, 1912-1913 (?).

Large Trolleybus with Hand — Drum Dog with Big Drum

Kapelle 6 Ostpr Inf-Reg 43 disk — Record of the march performed by the 43rd Infantry Regiment Orchestra. Conductor: Albert Krantz.

token 43 inf reg — Tokens in memory of service in the 43rd Infantry Regiment

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Based on materials from:

Wikipedia

Mühlpfordt HM Konigsberg from A to Z. A state conference . Munich, 1976.

www.bildarchiv-ostpreussen.de

satyr78curiosa.blogspot.ru