Help with translation WW1 German Vet document

[Obal7]

I recently acquired 3 Medals and Documents from a 94 year old US Amy WW2 Vet, whose Jewish father fought for Germany during WW1. The vet told me was that his father was wounded twice and rose to the Rank of Lieutenant. After Kristallnacht Arnold Arnstein was arrested and placed in Dachau prison was released and subsequently he and his family escaped to the USA.
What I would like, is some help in translating some of the documents as to Mr. Arnstein’s WW1 record as to his units, rank and wounds, that I believe would be included in the enclosed documents.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[HPL2008]

Give me a little time, I'll provide a translation in a bit.

[Obal7]

Thanks. You are very generous and very helpful , no rush.

[HPL2008]

Arnold Arnstein was born on 24 January 1891 in Stuttgart as the son of Joseph Arnstein (a merchant or businessman) and his wife Georgina, née Adler. He was single and of Jewish faith.

He initially served as an Einjährig-Freiwilliger [one year volunteer] from 1 October 1909 to 30 September 1910 with the 1. Batterie, 2. Württembergisches Feld Artillerie Regiment No. 29 "Prinzregent Luitpold von Bayern" [1st Battery, 2nd Wurttembergian Field Artillery Regiment No. 29 "Prince Regent Luitpold of Bavaria]. His conduct as certified upon his discharge and transfer to the reserves was found to have been "very good", with no disciplinary or judicial punishments.

As the name tells us, Einjährig-Freiwillige had to actively serve for only one year (as opposed to the 2- to 3 year terms for conscripts). These were young men who had to meet certain educational standards and other criteria and had to pay for the full cost of their uniforms, kit, billets and provisions. Thus, they were usually from upper middle class- or upper class families.

The Einjährig-Freiwillige were a pool for the recruitment of reserve officers and underwent more extensive training than conscripted men. They could be promoted to the rank of Gefreiter after half a year, with promotion to Unteroffizier possible after nine months. After their first military exercises with the reserves, they could be promoted to Vizefeldwebel/Vizewachtmeister of the reserves and become a Leutnant of the reserves after the second one (provided they wished so and were found suitable).

The service/discharge document says that he was discharged as an überzähliger [supernumerary] Gefreiter on 1 October 1910, whereas the rank list says he had already been promoted to Unteroffizier der Reserve on 24 August 1910, so there has been a clerical error in one of them.

Arnold Arnstein took part in an exercise from 1 June 1913 to 26 July 1913 with his old regiment.

On 4 August 1914, he was called up for active wartime service, now with the 7. Batterie, Württembergisches Reserve-Feld-Artillerie-Regiment No. 26 [7th Battery, Wurttembergian Reserve Field Artillery Regiment No. 26] with the rank of Unteroffizier der Reserve. (This regiment was newly raised and mobilized in August 1914, so he was with its initial cadre of NCOs.) He was promoted to Vizewachtmeister der Reserve on 20 April 1915 and commissioned as a Leutnant der Reserve on 23 August 1915. This would turn out to be his last promotion.

He was transferred to the 2. Ersatz-Abteilung [2nd Replacement Detachment] of his old regiment on 4 December 1915 and to the Württembergischer Flakzug 405 [Wurttembergian Anti-Aircraft Platoon 405] on 28 January 1916. Initially serving as its II. Offizier [2nd Officer], he became platoon leader on 16 June 1916.

Arnold Arnstein took part in the Great War almost from day one and to its very end and saw extensive service at the western front, serving in the Vosgues Mountains (August to September 1914), in stationary warfare in France (October 1914 to December 1915), at Verdun (February 1916 to September 1916) and in the defensive fighting in the Forest of Argonne (12 August 1917 to 9 October 1917 and 26 September 1918 to 10 November 1918). He was lightly wounded on 9 December 1914 and again on 21 March 1915. Both times, he returned to his unit after undergoing treatment at a field hospital.

Leutnant Arnstein was decorated with the Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse [Iron Cross 2nd Class], the Württembergische Silberne Militär-Verdienstmedaille [Wurttermbergian Military Merit Medal in Silver], the Ritterkreuz des Friedrichs-Ordens II. Klasse mit Schwertern [Knight's Cross of the Order of Frederick 2nd Class with Swords] and the Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer [Honor Cross for Combatants].*)

After the end of WWI, he was demobilized on 26 December 1918 and discharged on 30 December 1918.


*) The medal is missing from the grouping, and the ribbon on the cased Friedrichs-Orden is that of the Ehrenkreuz.

[Obal7]

Thank you! This amazing! Your translation and comments are like gold!!
Wow! It seems he had a very interesting and amazing career! It was sad that these hero’s were put in concentration camps at the start of WW2.

[Krakow1]

This picture is from a Polish book. taken in Lodz Ghetto.

[Obal7]

If any one is interested in this Vet’s amazing story, here is Mr. Arnstein’s oral interview he made for the National Holocaust museum.
Oral history interview with George Arnstein - Collections Search - United States Holocaust Memorial Museum