Updated: Nov 6, 2020
The photograph here shows, 2. Badisches Feld-Artillerie-Regt. Nr.30 (Rastatt) XIV Armee Korps posing for a photograph in a destroyed and rubbled building. The 2. Badisches Feld-Artillerie-Regt. Nr.30 being Kanonieren from the 2nd Baden Artillery Regiment (30th on the Imperial List). Seen here they are wearing a full spectrum of uniforms, this is seen from the early M1907/10 with 2 button turn back cuffs seen standing in the centre and the later made M1915 “Bluse” with concealed horn buttons that are turn back cuffs. In this photograph there appears to be just 1 single crew, comprising of loaders, ammunition handlers, fuse setters and "layers" (the aimer of the weapon). At the back appears to be the Gun's Gefreiter (team leader). The gunners seen here would have very likely used the 15cm sFH 13 (150mm Schwere-Feldhaubitze M. 13) this gun began service in 1914 at the start of World War 1 and made it into action during World War 2. One of the German Army's "work horses". Two of the Kanonieren can be seen with ribbons being worn, these are EK2 1914 (Iron Cross Second Class 1914). Also seen in detail is the hobnails on boots of the seated Kanonieren, he also bears the number 30 on his shoulder boards that allows us to know the Regiment number. The photograph being taken in the field unfortunately doesn't allow us to be able to put a location on this and with no information on the reverse it leads speculation as to where it would be. The destruction of bombings can be seen in the rubble of buildings seen behind, this became the usual backdrop for photographs and often what was fought over and photographed as a memory and trophy of their capture. It also shows the devastation of bombardments and what they were fighting through.