Frei weg!

This army march is hardly recognized as the navy march that it actually is. It is even a parade march of several regiments of the German army. On Ocotber 28, 1871 emperor Wilhelm I. commanded a permanent military band of the Navy in Wilhelmshaven. Leader of the Musikkorps der II. Matrosendivision was Carl Latann beauftragt, who had first been serving for the Army before he switched to the Navy. The 32 muscians of the band successfuly toured Germany - even back then the blue uniforms attracted many people. When the band should be reduced in 1878, Latann raised an objection and searched for a civil employment. After the failed attempt to found a music school in Wilhelmshaven, he found employment in Jever and later became director of a band in Nimwegen (Netherlands). With this orchestra he even visited his old garrison in 1885. Another failing attempt to found a music school in Wilhelmshaven happened in 1887. He then became musical director of the city of Bad Freienwalde in 1888, but he had this position only for a short time as he died the same year.