8.Kompagnie,

Infanterie - Regiment Nr. 459

To Drill or not to drill?

In every reenactment/living history group no matter what the time period is, there is a need to learn the drill and become very proficient in it. Many units or groups spend hours upon hours doing company drill, battalion drill and even regimental drill. Although this is cool and looks really good when done right, it has no place in World War One Reenacting.

Now of course there is someone reading this right now and is ready to burn me as a witch. Let me try to explain the Great War Association (GWA) reenacts entirely 1917 to 1918. This is because a large portion of the GWA is made up of our friends in the American Expeditionary Force (the AEF). Our unit as well Infanterie - Regiment Nr. 459 (IR459) was a late war regiment. We were formed in 1917 and fought in 1918.

Therefore it's real hard to do "Early War (1914 - 1916)" as some like to call it.

So as you can tell the GWA's reenactments are mainly in the trenches. We hope that every Soldat in IR459 will become first become proficient in the art of "trench warfare" and second in "drill."

In the Imperial German Army (especially later in the war) the teaching of a lot of drill movements and maneuvers became non-existance in "basic training." New recruits were needed almost immediately on the front (as canon and machinegun fodder) and only the basics were taught to the new men. Things like Attention, Order Arms, Shoulder Arms, At Ease, and maybe even Present Arms to render honor to a new German hero or dignitary. Of course you would be taught how to march no matter which army you belong to your feet are your second best friend. Specialized training was taught once you got into a command.

The only time you would do any drill in IR459 is mainly in parades, at the GWA safety meeting and possibly at a living history program such as Miltary Through the Ages. So it would be nice for you to learn a few things that are considered a neccessity in Imperial German Army.

Take the time to learn these commands because you will hear them again [mainly at the safety meetings]. Practice in front of a mirror and soon enough you will become the next Sergeant Himmelstoff [cough, cough]!

Figure 1 *Illustrations were done by Marsh Wise Recruit Handbuch of IR63

The Basic Position is called Grundstellung Achtung! - Stillgestanden! The Soldat observes silence. He stands in place, with his heels as near each other as his conformation permits. The toes are turnrd out equally, the feet forming nearly a right angle. The weight of the body rests equally of the heels and the balls of the feet. The knees are straight without stiffness [do not lock your knees]. The upper part of the body is upright, the chest thrown out moderately; the shoulders are at the same height and slightly thrown back, but not raised. The arms hang without constraint; the elbows are slightly bent and carried somewhat forward. The hands touch the thigh with the palms and the points of the finger. The fingers are joined and bent naturally with the little finger touching the seam of the trousers. The neck is held free and without restraint. The head is erect, the chin slighly drawn in, and the eyes directly to the front. Attention with Arms: The Rifle is to be verticle, the sling to the front, the butt close to the right foot, the heel and the butt being on the line with the toes. The right arm is extended and both elbows are at the same height. The right hand grasps the barrel or hand guard [depending on the size of the man], the other fingers being naturally bent but joined, index and middle fingers resting upon the rifle sling. Ruhrt Euch! (Rest) The left foot is advanced and planted solidly. The man is permitted to move, but not allowed to speak without permission.