Polish Soldiers

[bakis]

These photos were found in my wifes G/mothers papers when she died, she was born in Poland in the province of Galicia, which was then part of the Austro/Hungarian Empire. Can anyone spread light on these photos Please.

                      Barry

[neil1821]

I love any photos like this , they're fabulous!

A small contribution, in the first photo taken in Prague, he's wearing a Military Merit Cross I would say.
http://www.austro-hungarian-army.co.uk/mvk.htm

Rank insignia are clear, and perhaps some regimental distinctions too but I'm no expert.
The second photo was in Krakow, that was Galicia I think. Prague would be the province of Bohemia.

[apwright]

They are soldiers of the Austro-Hungarian army before WW1.

In the top pic, if the stars on his collar are white, then he's a Zugsführer (approx. equivalent to sergeant). If the stars are gold or silver, then he's a Hauptmann or Rittmeister (captain).

The medal is the Militär-Jubiläumskreuz 1908, commemorating the 60th Jubilee of Kaiser Franz Joseph I and awarded to all professional soldiers (officers and men) who had been in service for at least 2 years by 2 December 1908.
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milit%C3%A4r-Jubil%C3%A4umskreuz

The two men in the bottom pic look like a Soldat (private) and Korporal of a German (meaning non-Hungarian) infantry regiment.

Adrian

[bakis]

Thank you gentlemen for such a quick responce, with very interesting info. Adrian, I think you are spot on with the medal, we were thinking that the man on the right is the same man in the single photo but younger. If so would that be different regiments?

                      Barry