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| This was imperial land known as the
Reichsland. Seized from the French as part of the booty of the
Franco-Prussian War. The head of the provinces was called the Statthalter
and he reported directly to the Kaiser. In May of 1911 the Reichsland was
granted its own constitution. The real power however remained with
the military corps commanders and not the civilian authorities. The
provinces were heavily militarized and the home of many regiments.
The population of these territories were not fully trusted. These inhabitants were known by the very derogatory slang word "Wackes." There was great reluctance on many parts to fully incorporate into the German Empire. Recruits were almost always sent to units stationed outside of the Reichsland. Desertion rates were far higher than other German soldiers. There were two very famous incidents which highlighted the tension between the army and the population. The Zabern Affair and the Mullhouse affair. The 99th Regiment covered itself in non-glory during this and one should remember that Lt. Bilse was stationed in the Reichsland ... often considered a foreign country. |
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