Fritz Pfeffer during World War I

There are three known photographs of Pfeffer in military uniform. It is possible to draw inferences about Pfeffer's military experiences from some of the details. The chronological order of the photographs is uncertain. There is also some information from Pfeffer's hand.

The first photo shows Fritz Pfeffer in military uniform, sitting in a chair (see photo above). The photo was probably taken in Berlin. The handwritten text to brother Hans reads: "Lieber Hans Bevor ich abreise herzlichen Gluckwünsche zum Neuen Jahr, baldiger Frieden u gesund Wiedersehen."^[1]

The second photo also shows Pfeffer in military uniform. Pfeffer is shown here in half figure, and without headgear. The photo was taken by Atelier Borst, Bahnhofstr. 61, Giessen.^[2]

The third photo shows that Pfeffer had received a decoration: in it he wears an Iron Cross II.^[3] This decoration was widely handed out in the later years of the war to keep up morale.

In the second photo, a Schulterklappe is clearly visible. This shows that he was with Infantry Regiment No 116. The braided wire along the rim makes him recognisable as a one-year volunteer, which were mainly highly trained soldiers.^[4] This was the 2. Großherzoglich Hessisches Infanterie-Regiment "Kaiser Wilhelm No 116", based in Giessen. The regiment was part of the 25. Großherzogliche Hessische Division, from Darmstadt, which itself belonged to the XVIII Armeekorps, from Frankfurt am Main.^[5] The XVIII Armeekorps was part of the 4. Armee. The commander of the 116. Regiment was Oberst Schimmelpfennig.^[6]

In the first and third photos, Pfeffer is recognisable as a non-commissioned officer of a guard regiment. The 116th did not have that status. In Pfeffer's own review below, he mentioned the 1. Garde 52. Infanterie-Division. However, he said he was transferred more often.^[7]

In a 1920 letter to his old classmates, Pfeffer revealed some details. From 8 August 1914 to December 1918, he was in the army and changed units repeatedly. He ended up in different regiments and with the medical troops and toured Europe several times:

• On 8 August 1914, he went to war as a non-commissioned officer with his Garde-Füsilier-Regiment. He was in France until April 1915.
• Transfer to the Feldlazarett of the 1. Garde 52. Infanterie-Division.
• With Von Mackensen's army, he marched from Tarnow (Galicia, Poland) to Brest-Litowsk (April-September 1915).
• After Poland and Belarus, back to France.
• From August to October 1917, he participated with his unit in the capture of Tarnopol (Ukraine) and Riga (Latvia).
• After Ukraine and Latvia, back to France.
• In 1918, offensives at Amiens, Chemin des Dames and the Marne, and retreat of the Siegfried Line at Namur.
• One day before the armistice (i.e. 10 November 1918) appointment as Feldzahnartzt.
• In December 1918, he was discharged from service and returned to his practice in Berlin.^[8]