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Our President, Keith Tranmer once again entertained us, this time with the fascinating story of the "Siege of Przemysl". His knowledge of the subject appears second to none as Keith set out the background to WW1 with Russia backing Serbia and Germany with Austria-Hungary. France had an alliance with Russia and so became involved, and so on. He started off by showing the campaign medals of a Czech lieutenant in the field artillery, together with his identity locket which contained his military papers. Having set the scene he commenced the tail of the siege - in fact two sieges (8 Sept - 10 Oct 1914 and 11 Nov - 22 Mar 1915) by the Russians. He told a story of men and machines: the pilots and their aircraft, the balloons and the generals and other enterprising individuals that figured prominently in getting mail out of Przemysl. He showed items from the four FPOs that were associated with Przemysl (FPOs 7 / 82 / 152 / 159) as well as other FPOs that passed through the city as the Austrian Army retreated. As it retreated through the city military police were posted guard to catch deserters and also to press able bodied men into service. Keith showed a card from one such man. He had a rare item from the first flight out of Przemysl also items from the 1st, 2nd and 3rd flights during the second siege. There were so many fascinating and unique items that it was impossible for your reviewer to keep up. One item that springs to mind was a card from a Hungarian officer to Budapest giving the names and addresses of some 26 Hungarians in the Austrian Army besieged in the city, written during the period 22-27 January and flown out on 7 February 1915. Evidently the Hungarians felt that events and casualties were not being reported at home and this was a way of letting relatives know they were alive. Just about every nationality in the Empire was represented at Przemysl and Keith shown a number of such items. He also showed cards from the various forts around Przemysl as well as aeroplane flights and balloon flights. All pilots leaving Przemysl on non-operational flights carried mail and Keith included a new find (made in 1999) of a previously undiscovered flight that took place on 13 January 1915. He included items from the last flights in March 1915 (such mail was kept by the authorities until June before being delivered). The garrison surrendered on 22 March and the Russians entered the city. Keith showed a few items from the Russians as well as postcards of the city after it had been recaptured by the Germans. This was a fitting display on which to end his two year term as President as Keith was not able to attend the AGM for he had an invitation go to Vienna for a presentation as part of the celebrations by the Austrian society ARGE to mark its 20th anniversary. Keith had written a book on Przemysl 1914-15 and the ARGE had now published it and so Keith was a guest of honour to mark the event. We congratulate Keith and wish him the very best and look forward to reading his book on a very intense and involved subject. |