Austro-Hungarians in the Meuse-Argonne

stephen · 3 July 2005, 02:08 PM

While researching the anti-aircraft opposition encountered by the American 1st PG in the Meuse-Argonne offensive, I found two Austro-Hungarian ground units stationed in this area at this time. They were the 1st A-H Division and elements of the 106th A-H Division.

I am trying to determine what effect these units would have had on the air war... for instance, did they have any attached AA units? Did they have any attached balloon units? The Austro-Hungarians appear to have been present in surprisingly large numbers. Some friends of mine have even dug up Austro-Hungarian labeled field equipment near the Doulcon area, so there's no doubt that the sources I'm finding (claiming an A-H presence in the Meuse-Argonne) are correct. I wonder if they had any impact on the air war at all.

My question: can anyone point me to any resources on the 1st and 106th Austro-Hungarian Divisions in the Meuse Argonne, which might help me establish whether they had AA, balloons, or any other aerial activity? Or do you guys have any other suggestions or sources which might point me in the right direction? Many thanks.

duckman · 3 July 2005, 07:34 PM

Stephen,

I haven't looked for your specific question, but Glenn Jewison's brilliant site is, AFAIK, the most comprehensive English Language site for things Austro-Hungarian.

Austro-Hungarian Land Forces 1848-1918

There are specific sections on Divisional Orders of Battle Summer 1918 (although that appears incomplete, and dates to before 1 Div's move to the Western Front), A-H Field Artillery 1917-18 (including Flak batteries) and the K.u.K. Luftfahrtruppe.

They also have a forum (which I've never visited). Presumably there will be folks there with the good oil on specific questions like this.

Bon chance.

Duckman

stephen · 4 July 2005, 07:00 AM

Outstanding! Thank you; I'll check it out right away.

If anyone else has any sources it would be appreciated.

stephen · 8 July 2005, 08:26 AM

Oh, c'mon, people! My question can't be THAT hard. I'm looking for books, more web sites, anything I can find on the 1st and 106th A-H Infantry Divisions on the Meuse Argonne front.

I know... I'll sabotage everyone by renaming this thread "Who Killed the Red Baron?" Then I'll get some answers.

vb136 · 16 July 2005, 07:19 AM

Stephen,

The A-H army Kriegsgliederung of 15 Oct 1918 notes Ballonkompanie 13 assigned to 1. ID and Ballonkompanie 27 assigned to 35.ID.
No flak-units noted.

A general source would be volume 7 of the work Österreich-Ungarns letzter Krieg, this volume was published in 1938.

GrzeM · 18 July 2005, 05:26 PM

Stephen!
The best idea is to ask on the Forum of the AH army, link in duckman's post.
That Forum is excellent.
BTW, I wonder what Austrians did on the Western Front? Some operational training in Stosstruppen tactics? AFAIK Austrians had a lot of troubles on the Italian Front at that time and every unit was preciouss.
I know for sure that in 1914 Germans borrowed some heaviest 305mm Skoda howitzers from Austrians to be used against Belgian forts, but in 1918???
Cheers!
G.

stephen · 20 July 2005, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vb136

Stephen,

The A-H army Kriegsgliederung of 15 Oct 1918 notes Ballonkompanie 13 assigned to 1. ID and Ballonkompanie 27 assigned to 35.ID.
No flak-units noted.

A general source would be volume 7 of the work Österreich-Ungarns letzter Krieg, this volume was published in 1938.

Is that the source for the information you listed above on BK13 and BK27? Thank you, that's very helpful.

Are any balloon losses or AA victories recorded during the Meuse-Argonne offensive? What type of records did the Austro-Hungarians keep that might equal the German daily reports?

stephen · 20 July 2005, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrzeM

Stephen!
The best idea is to ask on the Forum of the AH army, link in duckman's post.
That Forum is excellent.
BTW, I wonder what Austrians did on the Western Front? Some operational training in Stosstruppen tactics? AFAIK Austrians had a lot of troubles on the Italian Front at that time and every unit was preciouss.
I know for sure that in 1914 Germans borrowed some heaviest 305mm Skoda howitzers from Austrians to be used against Belgian forts, but in 1918???
Cheers!
G.

I don't know, but from my maps of the Meuse-Argonne it appears that they were directly involved in holding the front line. I'd love to know what engagements they were in and get my hands on the balloon records of BK13 and 27.

vb136 · 22 July 2005, 04:27 AM

Stephen,

My information stems from the volume of the appendices to the volume I noted in my reply. The book (or series of books and volumes of appendices) are the official history of the A-H army in WW1, and does not contain any specific information on the operations by the BKs or their equipment.
Possibly the military archives in Wienna can be of help?

leo · 22 July 2005, 07:54 AM

This unit faces the Americans on the Western Front. There is a reenactment unit in the Pitsburgh area that used to have a web site. The site is closed, but I think you can reach them at The Great War Association. They have a pretty complete history of the unit. Ther were other units en roue to the Western Front when Austria sued for an armistice.