Important imperial naval grouping to Obermatrosenartillerist Franz Zimmermann born in 1892 who served in Tsingtau, China with Stammabteilung/Marine-Artillerie Kiautschou. Zimmermann was a captured by Japanese troops and a prisoner of war from 8.11.14 - 5.3.20.
Militärpaß issued in 1912. Stammabteilung der Matrosenartillerie Kiautschou stamped to the front cover. Notes on his units and campaign in Tsingtau as well as his prisonship. Nice condition.
Part of the grouping is a period time German-Japanese dictionary named to Zimmermann as well as a 1915 published prayers book.
The most important piece of the grouping is his handwritten diary "Meine Erlebnisse vom Kriege in Tsingtau China und Gefangenschaft" which is a perfect source of research. It was written from 31.7.1914 until 11.11.1915.
It includes a nicely hand-painted map of his journey to "Ost-Asien" starting in Wilhelmshaven on 7.1.1913. He lists all stops with all dates. In addition, there is a painted map of Tsingtau explaining the battles with detailed information on units.
The diary measures 22cm x 15cm and contains 108 hand-written pages.
The Third Reich period time Wehrpaß was issued in 1943. It is empty and not important but contains a 1943 period time photograph of Zimmermann which is nice to have. From this picture you might be able to track Zimmermann down on the unit photograph of his unit part of this grouping.
Period time photograph of members of Marine-Artillerie Kiautschou taken in at the Iltis base in 1914. Originally farmed by a Japanese maker.
All wear "Marine-Artillerie Kiautschou" cap tallies.
Size: 42cm x 37cm.
A period time photograph of the ship KÖNIGIN LUISE. It was probably taken at Tsingtau when this ship was delivering German troops in 1913. Zimmermann must have arrived with this ship.
