Cadet Corps Trogen

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Trogen cadets march with their corps flag. Linocut by the former drawing teacher Otto Schmid

The history of the cadet corps Trogen shows an exemplary image of the former secondary school cadets -Everyday in Switzerland and documented a form of teaching that through military exercises and patriotism trained obedience, preparing for the recruit school served as well as a precursor of the same turn teaching was. The corps of the Trogen Cantonal School (KST) was created in 1857, and regular military exercises were introduced into the classroom in 1870. Once a week, the students were trained in discipline and perseverance by army officers and teachers from the cantonal school by carrying out marching exercises , organizing shooting days or completing combat and night exercises. After each of the two world wars, the cadets came under fire and voices calling for their dissolution were loud. In the course of the worldwide peace movements of 1968 , the KST cadet corps was disbanded five years later.

History of the Cadet Corps

origin

Swiss cadets on an excursion in 1869

From the 18th to the beginning of the 20th century, the cadet corps in Switzerland served primarily to prepare male young people for their duties as citizens of a democracy , whereby the spirit of the time, in accordance with the duty of service in the militia army, was of particular importance. In this sense, the pedagogue Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi also maintained a cadet corps at his institute in Yverdon to physically train the students . The cadet system was widely supported by the Swiss public in the 19th century, among other things as a result of the numerous armed conflicts in neighboring countries. Accordingly, the cadets found their way into middle schools and grammar schools , which at the same time combined the classic school preparation for professional life and for the recruit school . In Switzerland, in contrast to Germany and Austria-Hungary , there were never any special boarding schools for officers, so-called cadet schools.

The origin of the cadet system at the Trogen Cantonal School was related to the endangerment of the Swiss Confederation in the Neuchâtel trade in 1857: The threats of the King of Prussia , Friedrich Wilhelm IV. , Who , after a coup by the royalists in the former Prussian Neuchâtel, his sovereign rights long after the The inclusion of this territory in the Swiss national association, wanted to assert, aroused a patriotic elation in Switzerland. This not only led to the mobilization of federal troops, but also to the formation of voluntary corps and cadet companies. In spite of the foreign policy danger , regular military cadet exercises at the school only began in Trogen after 1870, significantly again after a European crisis ( Franco-German War ).

purpose

Hans Ess, a former teacher at the Trogen Cantonal School (1951–1988), talks about the cadets

With the cadet system at the Trogen Cantonal School, three things in particular could be combined: preparing for later military service, physical training and training in subordination and discipline, which made a lot of things easier when managing a large number of students. The school administration firmly believed in the educational effect of an order that forced the young people to wander through the area in military drill one afternoon a week , to exercise their bodies, to endure hardships and not always to undergo pleasant arrangements. The population also showed great respect for this facility. So it was in the 1880s in the Appenzell region newspaper read: "Long live the cadets stand early he trains for the Fatherland >!" In 1921 underlined Rector Ernst Wildi in the Festschrift for the 100th anniversary of the district school the meaning of Cadets in detail: «With the exercises we aim to educate people about punctuality, about willing submission to the orders of others, about perseverance and ability to endure exertion and the strengthening of willpower. The prospective citizen should learn to subordinate his personal inclinations and desires to the interests of the whole; Contrary to his mood, he has to show his agility in sunburn, over hill and dale, learn to march thirstily and keep his eyes and nerves in check on the shooting range. Exact work, dutiful care of the entrusted weapon, in a clean suit, and in friendly cooperation also lie in decidedly educationally valuable moments. Today there is a tendency to selfish overestimation of personality. Anything that smells like strict discipline and calls for personal sacrifice is frowned upon. One wants to be free, lord and master of one's own will. The fruits of such a school of thought will only appear clearly after years; because used to be young is done old. That is why we do not see an institution that strives for discipline and order as out of date. "

method

The Trogen Cantonal School around 1910: Knabenkonvikt (left) and "Old School House" (right)

In order for the cadets to achieve the stated goals, the cadet classes usually took place on Wednesday afternoon. Company training ( drills , saluting ), rifle knowledge, patrol and relay service (communication), marching exercises, combat and shooting exercises were practiced. Ernst Wildi reports on the beginnings of teaching at the KST: «After a first suggestion to introduce military exercises [...] was rejected by the supervisory commission in 1853, a patriotic wave in 1857 honored arms service at the canton school. But after a while the interest in exercise seems to have waned; for we find no evidence that would give us insight into the military exercises in the following epoch. It was not until 1869 that the patriotically-minded Dean Heim energetically demanded that the military exercises at the canton school should be continued and carried out regularly, with Commandant Hohl in Trogen being commissioned to look for a personality who was suitable to exercise properly conduct. This was found in the person of the then lieutenant JW Rutz, who enthusiastically made himself available to the cadet system. In the summer of 1870, regular exercises began again, which fell on Saturday afternoons, although the occupation of the border in the Franco-German War soon forced people to stop working because the leading men were called to arms. "

criticism

Pupils at the Trogen Cantonal School , with uniform and rifle for the first time shortly after being recruited , 1926

The cadet was increasingly criticized in the 20th century as society and its values ​​changed; in addition, the cadet corps were displaced by the newly emerging gymnastics movement , in which girls could also participate. The importance of sport manifested itself at the latest in the 1960s in the project to rename the cadet association as the Swiss Association for School Sports . At the Trogen Cantonal School, too, there was increased resistance to cadet classes. This was also evident in the frequent dispensations from students. Rector Wildi observed this development and wrote to the government council in 1923: «Some requests for dispensation from the cadet service, for which general practitioner certificates were available, which were based on my observations from my free time, e. B. did not agree on the football field, I referred to Dr. Ritzmann, and the people were then committed to service. [...] We feel a wave of time in these requests for dispensation, and I often ask myself whether we shouldn't have to replace the exercise with sports afternoons, whereby perhaps more will look out for the boys' physical training. [...] Certainly in Trogen we have an extraordinarily large number of youngsters with delicate health who come to Trogen precisely because of this state of affairs, and certainly 20 years ago there were many individualists and slackers who stood in line, marched in sunburn, etc. .. not comfortable. Today you just put on an ethical or pacifist cloak, and with these and that parents there is really an inner conviction or a political creed. " Most of the cadet service, like the military, came under critical attack after the end of the two world wars. For example, after the Second World War, formal exercise was severely restricted. In 1949, the cadet instructor Martin Adank wrote in the school's annual report: "The military training consists of only a few roll-call exercises and the preparation required for sniping." Shooting continued to be very serious, and training in accuracy and concentration was considered important, but changes were imperative. For example, the division into a company and the management hierarchy had become questionable. In contrast to other places, such as Herisau , there was still no talk in Trogen of abolition: "In 1949 the teaching staff under the newly elected Rector Walter Schlegel decided to keep the cadet system."

justification

Ernst Wildi , the longest-serving rector of the Trogen Cantonal School (1904–1937)

Of all the rectors at the Trogen Cantonal School, Ernst Wildi, himself a lieutenant colonel in the Swiss Army , defended the cadets the most: “We never took part in the assault against the armed cadet corps, and since the war years have let the corps continue to work militarily with sniper shooting, Drills and combat exercises, because since there is a lot of gymnastics at the school in the free time, the canton school gymnastics club counts z. B. approx. 90 members - in addition to 'military service', athletics also has its full rights. " When after the First World War the voices against the cadet system became more critical, Wildi emphasized in 1921 the defensibility of a neutral Switzerland against insecure political conditions: “If there is a crisis in the army, then the cadet corps do not have an easy position either. As after the mighty ones Efforts of the Napoleonic wars showed that the Swiss cadets at that time showed a lack of aim and a general reluctance to serve in the arms and this and that corps stopped the exercises for years, so the terrible world war is accompanied by similar consequences. One rushes against the cadet system, partly for the noblest, most respectable, ethical motives, but partly also for unfair motives, and because breeding no longer wants to suit certain modern youth organizations. Whether our army will do its duty, march or not march, does not depend on the cadet system. But the question of the Cadet Corps touches upon serious problems far more than superficial assessors would imagine. The attack on youth armed service is about undermining a cornerstone of our state, the willingness to defend itself. Certainly there were and still are militaristic movements in Switzerland; But the Swiss people are pacifist , and whoever crossed the Jura to the border with the troops in August 1914 and closely observed their mood in difficult days, cannot shake the conviction: We may go further in the pacification of the state of mind of our people, if This should remain defensible and capable of successful defense, will not work as long as European conditions do not secure a future in which law will triumph over power. We must demand of the youth and the people that they see clearly that there may still be days in which they must be ready, weapon in hand, to keep misfortune, hardship and horror away from their home soil. We are certain that the smallness of our circumstances, the composition of the peaceful people from three different linguistic tribes will always protect us from the fact that our army will ever be used for anything other than defense. So we don't practice to destroy and to kill, and 'it really shouldn't be so difficult to see that flamethrowers and fire engines don't serve the same purpose.' The army, no honest man will deny this, has us lost Secured peace for years. Let us see to it that the middle schools give them down-to-earth, Swiss and democratically thinking, conscientious officers, so that as long as human imperfection demands an army, they remain free from those currents which called out in the land of such evil disaffection. We are not incorrigible, and if the downsizing period really is a persistent and not a fad, we will approach the question of reorganizing physical education on our own initiative or if the authorities and the Appenzell people so wish. We confess that we like scouting , although the high number of students and the insufficient number of suitable ladders could present insurmountable practical difficulties, especially if one aims to bring in all slackers and couch potatoes. We follow the experiences of other schools with interest, but we are not inclined to make fundamental changes of course under the impression of moods. It is torn down soon, it is more difficult to rebuild. There are already instructive examples from the neighborhood in this regard. In memory of the patriotic traditions of our school and the reasons which patriotic men determined to create the cadet corps, we want to continue working in our modest framework for the people's willingness to defend themselves and thus to secure the independence of our homeland. "

“Black clouds” over Europe: Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler in Munich in 1937

When in 1935, two years after Hitler's seizure of power and Mussolini's fascist regime in Italy , a renewed threat to the European situation became apparent, Wildi appealed to the Cadets in his speech on Shooting Day: “There are good people who, out of pure desire for peace, are not right Our hearts stand by our army and the cadet system. But look across the borders, where in the north and south powerful peoples inspire their youth with the strictest discipline for the greatness of their homeland, in youthful hearts plant pride in their people and that sense of sacrifice that is ready to live their own life at any time for a greater whole to hit the hill. And should we be in our beautiful mountains, in which prosperity, order and freedom have lived to this day, washcloths and slackers, who are repugnant to obedience, subordination and willing strain? Dear Cadets: That mustn't be! We do not want to give up what the fathers won in a hard battle. [...] That our homeland needs this protection despite the League of Nations is shown unfortunately by the black clouds that are gathering in the political sky. [...] With all my heart I hope that peace over Europe will be maintained, that the time will one day come when law triumphs over power. "

The end

As early as the 1920s, the Trogen Cantonal School discussed the abolition of cadets: the teachers' convention demanded the dissolution of the cadet corps in favor of gymnastics. However, the KST supervisory commission rejected the application. The obligatory preliminary military instruction in the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden remained part of the school program, although other cantons replaced this in part with physical education after the First World War . After the Second World War , the exercises were further reduced and adapted: the boys who were required to serve as cadets remained divided into four platoons, which were led by teacher instructors without a student cadre. The main program now included off-road exercises, map reading or compass studies , with the main emphasis being placed on physical training. The physical training was also preparation for the Federal Cadet Days, which were attended in 1950 in Aarau and 1954 in Thun . The cadet marches also took place every two years. From 1955, the Wednesday afternoon program was expanded to include excursions and practical exercises, such as building a bridge over the "Säglibach". Trained instructors were only called in for shooting and basic gymnastics training, otherwise the entire teaching staff should, if possible, use the Wednesday afternoon for demonstrations and excursions. Individual teachers were given the task of organizing, which proved increasingly difficult. In this operation, the uniform had become obsolete: after initially keeping the hat as compulsory, the uniform clothing was finally given up entirely. The last remnant of the former cadet corps was also eliminated. Since 1960, Rector Walter Schlegel has been complaining that the opportunities to fill the cadet lessons in a useful way have not been used by the teaching staff. The 1964/65 annual report stated in this regard: "We cannot boast of the activity that unfolded on Wednesday afternoons." In addition, the cadet instructor Adolf Bodmer had to be relieved in the shooting range for health reasons. Although younger teacher colleagues stepped in, it was not possible to maintain this training in the same way in the long term. In 1971, as a result of the worldwide peace movements of 1968 , Rector Schlegel had to defend himself against the press, which had claimed that shooting was just as important in Trogen as any other school subject.

The biotope of the canton school, co-financed from the former cadet rifles

In the further course all efforts to continue shooting at the KST failed and in the 1971/72 annual report the new rector Ernst Kuhn remarked: “In the past year it was unfortunately no longer possible for us to find a trained director who would have been ready To take over shooting lessons on Wednesday afternoon. " It was also shown that the major changes in public transport meant that the students no longer had to live in the Konvikt or a guesthouse in Trogen, but rather lived scattered throughout the canton. It was hardly possible to order the learners to take part in joint exercises on Wednesday afternoons in Trogen. All of this ultimately led to the KST's cadet corps being disbanded in 1973, exactly one hundred years after the introduction of the Cadet Commission. Twenty years later the cadet rifles were used for their last “use”: When the construction work for the “Arche” , the largest construction project to date at the KST, took place from 1993 to 1995 , a biotope with a pond was created on the area of ​​the canton school . To help finance this project, the old weapons were sold, which were transformed from “swords to plowshares” .

organization

Cadet Commission

The organization of the cadets was structured hierarchically. At the top was the cadet commission, consisting of the president, who was also the rector of the canton school, a cadet instructor and a treasurer. The commission was introduced in Trogen in 1873: in that year the instructor at the time demanded that a special authority be created to manage the entire cadet system. The school's supervisory commission complied with the request and elected the first cadet commission with cantonal school director Johann Georg Schoch as president. The number of commissioners was later increased to five, and then to seven, until it was reduced to three in 1896. When selecting the cadre, the cadet commission submitted the promotion proposals to the teaching staff, so that if the military qualifications were the same, the performance in the school was the decisive factor. In addition, the teaching staff had the right to veto promotions at any time . In 1936 the Federal Cadet Association was founded in Vevey to network the cadets and their commissions. Trogen, however, did not take part; Rector Wildi canceled the President on the following grounds: “Personally, I am not a friend of associations, delegate assemblies, etc. I prefer time and money to act in the place where you really have to be there. I also don't know whether the meetings, at which the corps have so different attitudes towards military work, could be used for inspiration. "

Cadet instructors

The higher cadre of the Trogen cadets consisted of cadet instructors headed by an officer of the Swiss Army who lived in Trogen and who led the exercises together with the instructor instructors from the cantonal school. Only in exceptional cases did a busy instructor bring outside comrades to help. In 1915, for example, the cadet instructor Oswald Eugster, who headed the cadet corps from 1912 to 1945 and was nicknamed «Lederapfel», commanded 129 men divided into four trains , including a field woman , six drumsticks and 117 rifle-carrying students. The instructors did the time-consuming work for years without compensation, until they were finally awarded an annual bonus of 50 francs in 1920, which was just enough for the personal expenses during the exercises and the march. With the increasing number of cadets, the training afternoons, the many days of shooting, the preparations for the exercises, the reconnaissance of the marching areas, the planning of combat exercises, the extensive shooting reports and correspondence demanded such an amount of time that one was ultimately responsible for the work paid adequate compensation.

NCOs

NCOs at the inauguration of the “Red Schoolhouse” in 1931. Left: Walter Schläpfer, later teacher at the canton school

Until after the Second World War, students could be promoted to NCOs and thus had authority over their schoolmates during cadet lessons. Ernst Wildi wrote: “By the way, there is so much talk about the self-government of students. Well, to a certain extent it is here; because the older cadets, who are prepared in cadre exercises and through their own longer service, help with the education of their young comrades. Of course, it is not appropriate to expect a skill from them that not even all the militia officers in our army can muster, and everything cannot work out perfectly. However, we do not tolerate any "giggles" or self-arrogance from our cadre; we don't give them any punitive competencies either, and cases where the 'cadet captain' calls up his men to drill on their own are excluded. And in 1935 the rector spoke to the new corporals in this regard : “You will find out that bringing up is not always easy work. Since you still sit on the school desk yourself, you know from experience how reluctant one is to be hit roughly, when one believes that one is being treated wrongly, but how happy one is when one has the feeling that the teacher wants to help me and he avoids any unnecessary pressure. Now draw the right conclusions from your own experience. Resolve: I want to lead my cadets with tact, without gross abuse, patiently and calmly. I want to try to take work happily with my group, my train. I want to remember that I set a good example for my people, and then we want to learn as much as possible together in a firm stance, which also benefits civil life, so that we can one day become good citizens and protectors of the country. "

equipment

uniform

Cover picture of KVT-Mitteilungen No. 29: Cadets in uniform during an exercise. In the background: Alpstein with Säntis . Linocut by Otto Schmid

In 1873, an optional tunic with a belt was introduced as a uniform at the Trogen Cantonal School , which meant an outlay of 35 francs for a student at the time. In 1893 a new uniform without metal buttons and ornaments was declared compulsory, whereby the supervisory commission made the decision: "Everyone can see for himself how he is given such a uniform." As cloth prices rose steadily in the following years, the school management organized older uniforms for poor students from cadets who had moved away. Towards the end of the First World War, those cantonal schoolchildren for whom it was too difficult to acquire a uniform were allowed to do cadet service in civilian clothes; only the cap was still made compulsory. Walter Schläpfer, who came to Trogen as a student from Herisau in 1929 , described his new cadet clothing as follows: “The uniform that I had to buy immediately in Trogen was downright old-fashioned in comparison [to Herisau]: long blue trousers, closed skirt and traditional kepi . [...] In 1938 the Trogener were able to modernize their uniform, since 1937/38 it consisted of a woolen sports shirt, long trousers, a light loden skirt and a police hat, all in Feldgau color (see cover picture and illustrations in issue 29, 1949/50, of the messages). " Towards the end of the 1950s, after initially keeping the hat as compulsory, uniform clothing was finally given up entirely.

Cadet rifles

Diagram of the Trogen Cantonal School for training weapons knowledge

Ernst Wildi wrote about the beginnings of the cadet rifles at the KST: «After a first suggestion to introduce military exercises in 1853, for which the acquisition of 40 rifles was requested, had been rejected by the supervisory commission by a majority, a patriotic wave in 1857 brought it Weapons service at the canton school in honor. " And further: “When the new Vetterlige rifles purchased in 1873 had become unusable as precision weapons over time, the sons of the Vetterlige rifle generation had to purchase today's excellent rifle, whereby a federal subsidy of 50% offered very welcome help. In 1899 the first half a dozen of the new weapons appeared, and gradually around 3000 francs in voluntary donations were made, so that after a few years the cadet corps again received uniform armament and the annoying double-track instruction could disappear. With the rapidly increasing number of schoolchildren, however, their own stock of weapons was no longer sufficient, so that the cantonal armory always made around 40 orderly rifles available for the pupils in the upper classes. We also received the orderly cartridge pouches and the necessary bivouac blankets for the marches from the witness office. In order to gain space in the narrow arsenal in the school building, we sold the old cousin rifles , with so many orders coming in from mountain areas in particular that we sold the rifles en bloc to an arms dealer to be converted into hunting rifles , in order not to promote poaching . "

Rifle of the Trogener Cadets: Schmidt-Rubin , model 1897

In 1929, Rector Wildi even made use of his own savings for the weapons at the cantonal school: when there was a lack of finance for new cadet rifles that year, he wrote selflessly to the authorities: “The cadet commission applied for 45 of these weapons to be purchased. I will pay 10 pieces out of my pocket, so that there is still a display of 25 × 35 = 875.- for the canton. " Until the dissolution of the Trogen Cadet Corps, the students used the 110 cm long Schmidt-Rubin cadet rifle , model 1897, single-shot, with a straight pull system , caliber 7.5 × 53.5 mm . The equipment also included cleaning cords for cleaning the barrel , a barrel cover (was attached to the barrel to protect against dirt), rifle sling, screwdriver, loading strip for cartridges , cartridge chamber cleaner and a bandolier (made of 2 × 2 cartridge pouches made of leather, left / right. In each pocket there is space for three loading strips of six rounds each).

saber

Pupils who were promoted to corporal received a 1 meter long saber of the type "Swiss Ordonnanz 1867 for unmounted officers".

Reel

The Trogen Cadet Corps always had a number of tambours (French tambour for "drum"). These drummers, who originally led the armies onto the battlefield, were trained at the KST for parade purposes and marching exercises . In 1902 the reels were the unintentional cause of the damage to a wagon, as the following receipt from the farmer concerned attests: “The undersigned hereby certifies that the cadet corps has paid a voluntary amount of twenty francs for the damage suffered on his wagon this summer (fear of the horse on the occasion of the march of the cadets into the village of Trogen with beating tambours). In doing so, he renounces any additional claim from this accident to the Trogen Cadet Corps. "

Cadet flag

Each cadet corps had its own flag , including Trogen. Originally, the flags served as a point of reference for soldiers and troop units in combat and always had a symbolic meaning for honor and loyalty; Soldiers took oaths and deserters were punished as a serious offense. The motif of the corps flag of the Trogen Cadets was also used as a linocut on the cover of KVT-Mitteilungen No. 6 by the drawing teacher at the time, Otto Schmid .

  • Founding flag of the Trogen Cadet Corps (front)

  • Founding flag of the Trogen Cadet Corps (back)

  • Later flag of the Trogen Cadet Corps (obverse)

  • Later flag of the Trogen Cadet Corps (reverse)

  • Trogen flag on the cover of KVT-Mitteilungen No. 6

training

Regular lessons

Trogen cadets, around 1934

Normal classes took place on Wednesday afternoons. The former cadet and later teacher Walter Schläpfer wrote in retrospect in 1988: “As long as the majority of the students lived in the Konvikt or in boarding houses, the school management felt obliged to employ the irrepressible youth on 'free' Wednesday afternoons from school. It was easy for the teaching staff in our times: They could leave the entire group of boys as a corps held together in military order to individual instructors such as Oswald Eugster and Martin Adank, while they themselves remained undisturbed. " During the first decades of general cadet training at the KST, Ernst Wildi noted: “The lessons extended to soldiers' and company schools, tirailleur service and target shooting, which in the winter semester also included shooting theory. In the eighties [1880s] the number of lessons was expanded through security work and distance estimation. [...] In the absence of a parade ground and in order to make the cadet service more varied, the formal drill was shortened as much as possible so that one could get to the site quickly, whereby the lessons were made more interesting through rifle gymnastics, outpost exercises, patrol and watch service and the creation of relay lines. […] After the VI. In the reorganization of 1907, we dismissed the 7th class from the cadet service without further ado, as did the VI in 1919, when the class had applied for a dispensation from cadet service, but was rejected out of hand by the canton school commission. Class. [...] So today we only require the top two classes to fulfill their compulsory shooting. " All cadets were insured with the accident insurance cooperative of the Swiss rifle clubs: "Fortunately, we have never come across the need to make use of the charitable institution."

Cadet training on Wednesday afternoon by Walter Schläpfer, known as "Bartli"

The program for the corps from May to the beginning of October was carried out in accordance with the regulations of the Swiss Military Department at the time and from 1921 onwards included the following exercises: weapon drill , shooting exercises, patrol and relay service, commanding exercises combined with combat exercises. Much time was still spent on the train and company school: collecting in various formations, greeting exercises (saluting) standing, on the march, with and without a rifle, attention positions with and without a rifle. Walter Schläpfer commented on the cadet lessons: “Although the formal drill required a long time due to the demanding parade on the village square at the end of the exercise, it would be a mistake for us pupils to take a critical stance on cadetism from the start. Much of the whole business was thought to be 'racy', people were happy about a promotion and annoyed by failures. The sixth graders, for whom cadet service was optional, found it highly honorable in 1930 to provide the entire officer corps. […] Even Kadi's sayings [meaning Rector Wildi, kadhi arab. for 'judges'] about the educational value of the cadet exercises was taken from him. [...] They took the whole military outfit very seriously and didn't want to be civilized. " In addition to the regular hours, there were also special lessons outside of the Wednesday afternoons: night exercises were carried out, combat exercises played through, shooting days completed and the annual training session concluded with a two-day march.

Night exercise

Night exercises were carried out for signalists from the Trogen cadets. The pensions in which the students lived were informed in advance in writing of the duration. For example, on Tuesday, September 5, 1933, the training took place from 7.30 p.m. to 11.30 p.m. The assignment of the cadet instructor Oswald Eugster at the time was, among other things: “ Patrols going to the quay start by bike. Backpack with a windbreaker or sweater. Everyone takes a good flashlight with a new battery. Notebook, pencil, rubber. One pair of binoculars per patrol. Tenue: uniform without rifle, waist belt without cartridge pouches. " For exercise thereafter the signpost "Fritz" in stationed Kaien and the signpost "Max" in the High Beech a vantage point around 2.5 kilometer was southwest of Trogen (in the group, "Fritz," that night also Ueli Prager , the attended the Trogen Cantonal School from 1929 to 1935 and founded the Mövenpick group of companies 15 years later ). Tea was made there and shortly thereafter, between the two signal patrols, which were 6.2 kilometers apart as the crow flies, the submission and reception of two reports each began. The following four messages were then transmitted in accordance with the instruction of the instructor using flashing signals that the students sent using the Morse system :

Signal post message
«Fritz»: «Opponent has reached Scheidweg with about one Kp., Stops there & blocks road Rehetobel - Heiden & Wald Heiden. We observed 2 SMG . I leave an observation post with a flashing device here and continue towards Heiden. Lt. Prague . "
"Max": «Lt. Prager should go on in the direction of Heiden & determine whether new troops arrive in Heiden, go to accommodation or march on, event. where. Report by blinker here. Captain Steiner. "
«Fritz»: "Larger detachments, also Art. Has 22:00 Heiden with direction Grub St. Gallen happens. I have about a reg. With 2 bat. estimated. I observe above Heiden & maintain signal connection with Sig. P. Max. Lt. Prague. "
"Max": “The attack will be in the direction ordered tomorrow morning. You are in constant communication with Lt. Prague & our station. Our station advances to Wald village at daybreak. Sig. Patr. Max. "

Shoot

Diversion board towards Gäbris during the shooting exercises of the Trogen Cadet Corps

In 1887 the Federal Council issued a shooting program for the Swiss cadet corps, for which the federal government paid an average of 2 francs per cadet. Therefore, from 1891, the main emphasis in the work of the Trogen Cadet Corps was shifted to methodically conducted shooting exercises. Since only those cadets who had reached the age of 14 were allowed to take part in the sniper exercises, the younger age groups were shot with the crossbow , later with the Flobert rifle or with the Gysi rifle [the Gysi company was an ammunition manufacturer for cadet rifles . For ballistic reasons, these cartridges could only be fired up to 200 meters. Since the ammunition was of high quality and very precise, the regional designation Gysi rifle was used]. The canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden has been supporting the cadet system since 1893 with an annual subsidy , which initially amounted to only 50 francs and then rose to 300 francs, so that one was mainly dependent on the federal subsidy: for every pupil who fulfilled the shooting obligation (in 1919 shot For example 137 cadets took part in the shooting program) the school received compensation of 5 francs.

Shooting range Trogen with the 200 m shooting range
Recognition card for good shooting performance, 1925

Shooting lessons included gun knowledge, rifle gymnastics, marching and the careful position with the rifle, dismantling and cleaning the weapon, ballistics , displaying the hit position on the target and of course the shooting exercises themselves, which were completed with a shooting day. The sniping took place one kilometer south of the canton school on the shooting range in the Schurtanne . The shooting took place from a lane in the area that was in the line of fire of the 300-meter shooting range. There were three shooting classes in which the students could achieve a maximum of 30 points: In the 1st shooting class, shooting was "laid flat" for 200 meters; This meant that a 3-point rest of the rifle was required: One point was the rifle stock on the front of the rest, mostly sandbags, and the elbows as two other points, which increased the probability of hits. In the 2nd shooting class, people shot 200 meters "lying free": Here no rest for the rifle could be used, which meant that only the elbows could be used as the rifle's points of support. The shooter was lying and the rifle was only held in his arms. In the 3rd shooting class, the cadets finally learned the most demanding type of shooting: shooting on their knees without a rest. Ranks 1 to 3 received a badge, ranks 1 to 7 usually also received a recognition card for good shooting performance; the cadets' shooting reports were then sent to the military headquarters of Appenzell Ausserrhoden for the attention of the infantry department . At the end of the day of shooting, the whole corps appeared in uniform in the village square, followed by the announcement of rank and distribution of all awards. Then the cadets went with the girls from the KST into the hall of the "Krone", where a lecture was given or a film was shown (for example about the work of the army). Then they danced until 9.30 p.m. Every October, towards the end of the training year, the weapons were handed over to the village square in Trogen (in bad weather because of rust in the schoolhouse). The entire corps then marched back to the schoolhouse and the flag was handed over. Finally, weapons and equipment were inspected and deposited over the winter in the arsenal (since 1931 in room 37 of the “Red Schoolhouse”).

Combat exercises

Also were practiced battles between two opposing troops. While we trained the formation of skirmish lines , the movement of the train in action, the tactics of attack and defense, the relation of positions or the following of firing commands. The final battle on September 27, 1933, for example, looked like this: The whole corps gathered on the Trogen village square that Wednesday at 1:15 p.m. The required equipment was: uniform, cadet rifle, strong, nailed shoes, a drinking cup or a canteen and a vest or sweater in the backpack. A flashlight with a good battery was also arranged for officers and NCOs , and flags and lamps for signalists . After the dummy ammunition was taken, they marched closed during the Great saw an area south-east of Trogen, to Schwäbrig and from there into the commanded assembly areas : Trains 1 to 3 based around Hackbühel in the forest south of Starkenmühle position, and the trains 4 and 5, which wore white bandages around their caps, camouflaged their defensive position on the southern slope of the summer mountain . The first reports were drawn up and transmitted by the signalists by 5 p.m. at the latest.

Combat exercise of the Trogen cadets in the Flumserberg during the march out in 1928. Cadet instructor Martin Adank with hat

The cadet instructor Martin Adank had already described the possible further course in a letter to Rector Wildi in the planning phase of the battle: “Now an organized attack is developing, in which Fire & Movement must always support each other. The defender dismantles as soon as the referee gives him instructions, takes a position further back (frontal or flanking). So we come to the Schwäbrig in the battle of retreat over the Sommersberg . A break in combat is ordered for evening meals. [...] The people have to go on a march, the patrols can run, watch and report. The signalists can signal & the opposing patrols can try to read the message. […] I don't know what credit we have for rockets & petards and ammunition. Of course, there is great joy when attackers and defenders have some artillery (petards) & some missiles. " Regarding the shooting practice during the battle, Adank had also written to Wildi that morning: «I know that most people take the battle this evening very seriously & therefore, in order to prevent accidents, I ordered the following: 1. Petards, rockets are only from me , Bodmer, O. Eugster & Walter Buser, whom I am also taking with me, missed. 2. Before the march, people are reminded that they are not allowed to shoot below 20 m. That you event. Costs in accidents caused by shooting have to be borne by yourself & that they will be severely punished. 3. Bodmer and I will always be in the front lines, that is, between the parties. " After the combat exercise, the cadets marched back to Trogen and were released at around 11 p.m. on the village square.

March out

The Trogen Cadets march out on Altstätterstrasse, 1926

Every two years, multi-day cadet marches took place as a conclusion to the annual program. In the early days of the Trogen cadets, relatively modest and one-day excursion destinations were chosen, such as the march into the Bärloch , an area in the municipality of Wald . In the eighties, one after the other searched for other surrounding communities, Gais , Heiden or Rehetobel . Little by little, two-day marches arose, combined with combat exercises, and the corps visited places such as Walzenhausen , Hundwil , Urnäsch , the Hohe Kasten , Ebnat-Kappel , Alt St. Johann or Parpan . In 1930 the cadets even traveled as far as Lugano in the canton of Ticino . Walter Schläpfer, who came to the KST in 1929, remembered: “In 1930, because of a Gotthard anniversary, all schools were able to travel to Ticino at a reduced price. Since the two-day cadet march was due this year, a trip to the south was decided. But because the usual battle was not possible due to lack of time (an extension to three days was completely unthinkable), the cadet commission decided to carry out the excursion without a rifle. However, a violent opposition arose from the student body against this decision, and the deployment of a gunless company was considered unworthy. The teachers gave in, instead of a battle joined a burst of gunfire, but lack of training so miserably failed, that our notorious distorter, Professor Otto Schmid said that this salvo on the San Salvatore is a < gates - Salve >. Been "

The «5. Train of the girls marching out

From time to time there were battles during the march with friendly cadet corps from Herisau , Altstätten and St. Gallen , or the cadets attended cadet gatherings outside the canton. For the march they gathered in uniform in Trogen village square, with rifles, marching shoes and rucksacks. After the blind cartridges had been distributed, they marched off, with voluntary civilians, such as parents or the girls of the KST, following the cadet corps as the last platoon (often also called “5th platoon”). After the combat exercise, there was usually a free exit or dance evening. The next day the accommodation was cleaned and they marched back to Trogen, where the discharge took place in the village square. The student Armando Caflisch-Himmel, who was living with Otto Schmid in Trogen as a pensioner, remembered: “The two-day class excursions were always a special event. [...] The accompanying teachers tried above all to keep the boys away from the few girls in the evenings. " The fact that the girls from the cantonal school were there on the marches caused criticism from the instructors; Martin Adank wrote to Rector Wildi in 1932: «In my opinion, girls do not belong in the cadet march. It would also not be necessary to dance. Just in case, it is not military if you have to take a second pair of shoes with you to dance. Constantly moving around on the battlefield also disrupts the battle, revealing the position of the enemy. " And instructor Oswald Eugster issued, among other things, the following order of the day for the same march out: «First: 5 minutes after the rooms have been read, the lights are to be turned off. There has to be absolute calm so that the corps can start fresh again for the second day. I expect brisk behavior in the hotels so that the owners have no reason to complain. Wearing low shoes is prohibited. Shimmering collars must not be turned over the blouses. "

Arnold Rothenberger, physics and math teacher, gives final instructions before the combat exercise

That the cadet system was always associated with patriotism is also shown by the pathos-written text about the cadet march in 1918. Instructor Oswald Eugster wrote it for the annual report of the canton school: “While the high school graduates in our technical department were just starting their final acid test, they gathered On the afternoon of September 24th the cadet corps on the Landsgemeindeplatze to receive the necessary orders and the ammunition available for a day and a half march. Then we went in a lively procession, which numerous girls, non-cadets and some teachers had joined, in the wonderful sun of a glorious early autumn day over Speicher and Teufen to Stein , where a welcome snack from the backpack brought a first long march stop. The fact that everyone was strengthened and that even the shorter legs still felt ready to march was proven by the cheerfulness that prevailed on the march and the brisk arrival in Hundwil , which was reached as the goal of the first day of travel in the early evening. The cantonment began to move into, and soon the lively, lively life of a small ' garrison' could be seen on the hinterland Landsgemeindeplatz and its surroundings . While a group of young defenders of the fatherland were busily discussing the nightly quiet place they had just visited, there was negotiating with 'expertise' about the coming night battle near Hundwil, which was to be played at 7:00 pm. After the enemy had taken up position above the village, a lively battle in which developed in the dark of night, the petards banging efficient and rockets into shone far into the area. It goes without saying that after this exertion, the evening meal, which was well and plentifully served in the 'Bären', had to be delicious to everyone. The following time of free entertainment will probably have been a major part of the whole program for most of them, be it that they moved outside in free groups with their best comrades, or that they went to the inn to the 'bear' after the wild craft of war dedicated to the fair muse Terpsichore . And it really would have a rather philistine , <old> obdurate used to not mitzufreuen wholeheartedly and heat to the cheerful, casual, beautiful and bustle that reigned in the hall until the time out the younger and an hour later the elderly cadets called to rest. On the second morning, which rose just as wonderfully as the first evening had set, one saw a lively life in the village streets of Hundwils early on: The cantons had to be put in order, the blankets had to be folded and everything else to be done before an 'army' is ready to march. After the bread ration for snacks had been taken, we walked comfortably up to the Hundwilerhöhe , where a wonderful view delighted the eye and made the heart beat faster for joy at all the sheer splendor. Wherever the eye looked, nothing but wonderful: the pretty and cozy villages of our closer fatherland, the mountain peaks of Pilatus and Rigi , part of the Glarus Alps , our dear Appenzeller Mountains , the Vorarlberg Alps , etc., only Lake Constance wore its autumnal veil. It was as if the clarity of the air and the sea of ​​sun in which we found ourselves increased the clarity of our thoughts, and as if our hearts were made more receptive to the wonderful splendor of our dear homeland. Our young warriors were patriotically well prepared for the second battle, in order to defeat the enemy threatening their home soil from the east. After an arduous advance in the heat of the midday sun, they finally stormed to the height of the Himmelberg . But still no meat pots waved to the growling stomach, instead it was time to take the route to Haslen under your feet. Lunch and lunch break tasted all the better there. From Haslen we went via Laimensteig to Bühler and Trogen, where we arrived early, all healthy and happy, happy and grateful to be able to call a beautiful country our home. In addition to the hygienic aspect, this is the patriotic value of this cadet march, which we will always remember fondly in every respect. "

"Affair Pine Cone"

The “Red Schoolhouse”, the realization of which was suddenly called into question by the “Fir cone affair”. Linocut by Otto Schmid , 1931

In the summer of 1929, the Trogen Cantonal School unexpectedly came under fire because of its cadets. This was preceded by an ambush at rascals with pine cones on the cadets during a hike. On June 30, Rector Ernst Wildi felt compelled to write a letter to the Cantonal School Commission to explain the conflict in which even the then National Councilor Howard Eugster had intervened because the upcoming new KST building might be at stake: «On June 2, the Fourier Association of Eastern Switzerland had an extraordinary exercise in the Trogen area, to which part of the Trogen Cadet Corps was invited. When the group marched towards Altstätten around noon , they were unexpectedly pelted with pine cones by young boys. As the cadets - I had this on my part thoroughly approved - the attackers wanted to keep track of them forbade this is the column commanding Fourier on the grounds: They want no trouble. Understandably, our cadets did not want to get into the head of the fact that Swiss military men who practice in uniform off-duty could be molested with impunity, and they were looking for retaliation. For some time now, it seems that Young Socialists from St. Gallen have been marching through our town on Saturday evening with the red flag and the international singing towards the landmark. [...] I only heard how the population z. B. on Good Friday found the singing and the red flag in a rural area as a severe provocation. When a group of Young Socialists - including some girls - marched through the village again yesterday evening, canton schoolchildren hurriedly got in their way, and they took the flag away from St. Gallen, accusing them of attacking the Fouriere. Fortunately, there was no brawl, but rather irritated words from both sides. When I found out about the incident, I went to the village after dinner to see what was going on. Then I heard that the canton students had just taken the cloth away from a cyclist who was driving through the village wearing a red cloth. " Wildi now intervened and reprimanded the canton students: It was not acceptable to play the police, and it was neither forbidden to sing the Internationale nor to carry a red flag. On the village square, the rector returned the stolen flag to the board of the Young Socialists; the latter declared that it had absolutely nothing to do with the attack on the Fouriers. In the issue of Volksstimme on Friday, June 28, the socialist youth group protested against the suspicion directed at them by inviting them to a discussion of the troublesome matter on Sunday. Notified by the Young Socialists, National Councilor Howard Eugster from Speicher felt compelled to call Ernst Wildi to arbitrate the matter, as he was concerned about the upcoming Landsgemeinde vote on the extension of the school: This urgently needed new building was rejected by the Appenzell people as early as 1920 and in April 1930 the same question was to be voted again. Bad press and rumors could turn the mood against the canton school and result in another negative vote. The fir cone fire on the cadets suddenly became a political issue for the Trogen Cantonal School.

Wandervogel group around 1930

The dispute cleared up unexpectedly, however, when Rector Wildi received a letter in which a group of the then popular Wandervogel movement reported and stated that they had shot at the cantonal school cadets. In it Walter Tötdli wrote: “As the head of the Gau Bodensee of the Swiss Wandering Bird, I feel compelled to inform you of the following. On June 2nd of that year, members of one of our local chapters, who happened to be in the Saurück area on that day, saw a column of Fouriere approaching from the Gäbris . Our members stopped the game immediately and hurried to the ridge on which the path leads to the Landmark to watch the Fouriers go by. Filled with high spirits, some of these boys could not refrain from arranging a little maneuver for which purpose they made use of a few pine cones. A mockery of the military was neither done nor intended, the more the Wandervogel is not concerned with party politics, and of course there is no question of a red flag. The whole thing was an ill-considered prank that sprang from a momentary inspiration. As I found out, the robbery was seen as fun by the majority of the Fouriers. " But that was not the end of the affair: the wrongly suspected Young Socialists now demanded a press statement from Wildi, which testified to their innocence. Ernst Koch wrote to the rector in this regard: “As we have already emphasized, you will understand that if the revocation is not to our full satisfaction, we will be forced to convey the matter bluntly to the press. [...] You will also understand that this in and of itself small incident is about the reputation of your school. " Ernst Wildi wrote a statement for the Appenzeller Landes-Zeitung and wrote to Howard Eugster: «I can't and won't do more. If, in spite of my steps, your party [...] should use the matter to attack the school, then we will just have to wait for the consequences and see how the citizens of the next rural community react. But then I am convinced that it is no longer about right or wrong, but that you use a welcome excuse to give the school something. [...] I don't see the fouriers and cadets' boredom caused by the migratory birds as harmless as they have been described to you. The fact that Swiss wistful men are pelted with pine cones under pipes is certainly a new fashion, about which a large part of the Appenzeller people thinks as I do. But for my part, the story was spongy, if not further events force us to come back to it. " National Councilor Eugster immediately wrote back to Wildi and said among other things: «Above all, I am very sorry that you have been preoccupied with this matter. […] Hopefully there will be no attack on the school. Your actions must have been reassuring. [...] Then at your request, with the social security company. To speak to youth, I have proposed this one meeting for next Sunday. You are right, in addition to the right side, there is also a clock side. The young people [...] have a great interest in getting along with the population. And they have realized that we annoy people unnecessarily, is not in our party program. [...] With a lot of thanks for your understanding intervention, I greet you with respect: H. Eugster-Züst. " No further discordant notes followed and on April 27, 1930, the extension was approved by the rural community with a large majority. Excavation work began in August and in October 1931 the new schoolhouse, which was given the name “Red Schoolhouse” because of its painting and not because of the theft of the Red Flag, was ready for occupancy.

literature

Recognition card of the Trogen Cadet Corps for good shooting performance, 1920

General

  • Jakob Heim: On the history of the Trogen Cantonal School. In: Program of the Appenzell Cantonal School. Self-published, Trogen 1875.
  • Ernst Wildi: Appenzell a. Rh. Canton school in Trogen for the hundredth year of existence. Self-published, Trogen 1921.
  • Walter Schläpfer: On the edge of school. In: KVT-Mitteilungen No. 39, self-published, Trogen 1960, pp. 27–32.
  • Walter Schläpfer: From the history of the Trogen Cadet Corps. In: KVT-Mitteilungen No. 68, self-published, Trogen 1989, pp. 72–77.
  • Rudolf Widmer: The canton school sells its old cadet rifles. In: KVT-Mitteilungen No. 71, self-published, Trogen 1992, p. 13.
  • Various: Rectorate correspondence from Ernst Wildi, 1905–1939. State Archives Appenzell Ausserrhoden, D.027-60.
  • Various: KVT notifications. Self-published, Trogen 1921–2008.
  • Various: Annual reports from the Trogen Cantonal School. Self-published, Trogen, since 1875.
  • Various: sub-series cadet corps Trogen. State Archives Appenzell Ausserrhoden, D.027-60-4.

Fiction, autobiography

Web links

Commons : Cadet Corps Trogen  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Walter Schläpfer: From the history of the Trogener Cadet Corps. In: KVT-Mitteilungen No. 68, self-published, Trogen 1988, p. 72.
  2. ^ Walter Schläpfer: From the history of the Trogener Cadet Corps. In: KVT-Mitteilungen No. 68, self-published, Trogen 1988, pp. 72–73.
  3. ^ Walter Schläpfer: From the history of the Trogener Cadet Corps. In: KVT-Mitteilungen No. 68, self-published, Trogen 1988, p. 72.
  4. ↑ Ernst Wildi: The Appenzell a. Rh. Canton school in Trogen for the hundredth year of existence. Self-published, Trogen 1921, p. 143
  5. ↑ Ernst Wildi: The Appenzell a. Rh. Canton school in Trogen for the hundredth year of existence. Self-published, Trogen 1921, p. 142.
  6. ↑ Louis W. Burgener in: 50 Years of the Federal Cadet Association. Federal Cadet Association, 1936–1986. 1986, p. 8.
  7. ^ Ernst Wildi: Letter to the Government Council of May 7, 1923 . State Archives Appenzell Ausserrhoden, D.027-42-1-04.
  8. ^ Walter Schläpfer: From the history of the Trogener Cadet Corps. In: KVT-Mitteilungen No. 68, self-published, Trogen 1988, p. 75.
  9. ↑ Ernst Wildi: Letter to Dr. Güntert dated November 1, 1936 . State Archives Appenzell Ausserrhoden, D.027-42-4-04.
  10. ↑ Ernst Wildi: The Appenzell a. Rh. Canton school in Trogen for the hundredth year of existence. Self-published, Trogen 1921, pp. 148–149.
  11. ↑ Ernst Wildi: Speech to the cadets on Schiesstag 1935 . State Archives Appenzell Ausserrhoden, D.027-42-7-01
  12. ^ Walter Schläpfer: From the history of the Trogener Cadet Corps. In: KVT-Mitteilungen Nr. 68, Eigenverlag, Trogen 1988, pp. 72-77.
  13. ^ Rudolf Widmer: The canton school sells its old cadet rifles. In: KVT-Mitteilungen No. 71, self-published, Trogen 1992, p. 13.
  14. ↑ Ernst Wildi: The Appenzell a. Rh. Canton school in Trogen for the hundredth year of existence. Self-published, Trogen 1921, pp. 147/148.
  15. ↑ Ernst Wildi: Letter to Dr. Güntert dated November 1, 1936 . State Archives Appenzell Ausserrhoden, D.027-42-4-04.
  16. ↑ Ernst Wildi: The Appenzell a. Rh. Canton school in Trogen for the hundredth year of existence. Self-published, Trogen 1921, pp. 146/147.
  17. ↑ Ernst Wildi: The Appenzell a. Rh. Canton school in Trogen for the hundredth year of existence. Self-published, Trogen 1921, pp. 142/143.
  18. ^ Ernst Wildi: Speech to the squad on May 15, 1935 . State Archives Appenzell Ausserrhoden, D.027-42-1-02.
  19. ↑ Ernst Wildi: The Appenzell a. Rh. Canton school in Trogen for the hundredth year of existence. Self-published, Trogen 1921, p. 146.
  20. ^ Walter Schläpfer: From the history of the Trogener Cadet Corps. In: KVT-Mitteilungen No. 68, self-published, Trogen 1988, p. 73.
  21. ↑ Ernst Wildi: The Appenzell a. Rh. Canton school in Trogen for the hundredth year of existence. Self-published, Trogen 1921, p. 142.
  22. ↑ Ernst Wildi: The Appenzell a. Rh. Canton school in Trogen for the hundredth year of existence. Self-published, Trogen 1921, pp. 145/146.
  23. ^ Ernst Wildi: Letter to the Canton School Commission from 1929 . State Archives Appenzell Ausserrhoden, D.027-42-1-03.
  24. ↑ A. Bruderer: Receipt of October 28, 1902 . State Archives Appenzell Ausserrhoden, D.027-42-1-06.
  25. ^ Walter Schläpfer: From the history of the Trogener Cadet Corps. In: KVT-Mitteilungen No. 68, self-published, Trogen 1988, p. 77.
  26. ↑ Ernst Wildi: The Appenzell a. Rh. Canton school in Trogen for the hundredth year of existence. Self-published, Trogen 1921, pp. 142/143/145.
  27. ↑ Ernst Wildi: The Appenzell a. Rh. Canton school in Trogen for the hundredth year of existence. Self-published, Trogen 1921, p. 146.
  28. ^ Walter Schläpfer: From the history of the Trogener Cadet Corps. In: KVT-Mitteilungen No. 68, self-published, Trogen 1988, p. 73.
  29. ^ Film recordings on Youtube from the archive of the Trogen Cantonal School
  30. ^ Dossier on the signal exercise on September 5, 1933 . State Archive Appenzell Ausserrhoden, D.027-42-6-02.
  31. ↑ Ernst Wildi: The Appenzell a. Rh. Canton school in Trogen for the hundredth year of existence. Self-published, Trogen 1921, pp. 142/143.
  32. ↑ Ernst Wildi: The Appenzell a. Rh. Canton school in Trogen for the hundredth year of existence. Self-published, Trogen 1921, p. 146.
  33. ↑ Dossier on Shooting Day . State Archives Appenzell Ausserrhoden, D.027-42-7-02.
  34. ↑ Martin Adank: Letter to Ernst Wildi from August 27, 1933 . State Archives Appenzell Ausserrhoden, D.027-42-5-01.
  35. ^ Martin Adank: Letter to Ernst Wildi from September 27, 1933 . State Archives Appenzell Ausserrhoden, D.027-42-5-01
  36. ↑ Film recordings with combat exercises in the Flumserberge from the archive of the Trogen Cantonal School
  37. ↑ Ernst Wildi: The Appenzell a. Rh. Canton school in Trogen for the hundredth year of existence. Self-published, Trogen 1921, pp. 144/145.
  38. ^ Walter Schläpfer: From the history of the Trogener Cadet Corps. In: KVT-Mitteilungen No. 68, self-published, Trogen 1988, pp. 73–74.
  39. ^ Armando Caflisch-Himmel: Trogen 1936–1942 Pension Prof. Otto Schmid. In: KVT-Mitteilungen No. 75, self-published, Trogen 1996, p. 93.
  40. ^ Martin Adank letter to Ernst Wildi dated October 2, 1932. State Archives Appenzell Ausserrhoden, D.027-42-8-03.
  41. ^ Oswald Eugster: Order for the first day of marching out in 1932. State Archives Appenzell Ausserrhoden, D.027-42-8-03.
  42. ↑ Oswald Eugster: Departure of the Cadet Corps. In: Annual report of the Trogen Cantonal School. Self-published, Trogen 1918, pp. 58/59.
  43. ^ Ernst Wildi: Letter to the Canton School Commission of June 30, 1929 . State Archives Appenzell Ausserrhoden, D.027-60-4-10.
  44. ↑ Dossier on the “Red Flag Affair” . State Archives Appenzell Ausserrhoden, D.027-60-4-10.
  45. ↑ Walter Tötdli: Letter to Ernst Wildi of 30 June 1929 . State Archives Appenzell Ausserrhoden, D.027-60-4-10.
  46. ↑ Ernst Koch: Letter to Ernst Wildi from July 1, 1929 . State Archives Appenzell Ausserrhoden, D.027-60-4-10.
  47. ^ Ernst Wildi: Letter to Howard Eugster from July 1, 1929 . State Archives Appenzell Ausserrhoden, D.027-60-4-10.
  48. ↑ Howard Eugster: Letter to Ernst Wildi from July 2, 1929 . State Archives Appenzell Ausserrhoden, D.027-60-4-10.