Austrian army against the Austrian army. Austrian Armed Forces

Formed during the Truce of Pleiswitz in 1813 and included as a separate unit in the Bohemian Allied Army.

Commander-in-Chief - Gen. K. F. Schwarzenberg, who also commanded the Bohemian Army,

Chief of Staff – Field Marshal-Lieutenant J. Radetzky;

artillery commander: Field Marshal-Lieutenant A. Reisner;

Office of the Quartermaster General: Field Marshal Lieutenant I. Prohaska

The composition included

Vanguard of the Austrian Army, 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Army Corps and the Austrian Reserve Corps. In mid-August 1813, there were 40 infantry regiments, 8 grenadier battalions, 5 ranger battalions, 10 border battalions, a total of 112 battalions, 99 thousand people; 7 cuirassier, 6 chevoleger, 3 dragoon, 7 hussar regiments, a total of 74 squadrons, 24 thousand cavalrymen; 45 batteries and 6,750 artillerymen, a total of 130,850 people. and 280 guns.

The right wing is under command. gene. from the cavalry of Prince Frederick of Hesse-Homburg:

1st Light Division Field Lieutenant. M. Liechtenstein,

1st Linear Division Field Lieutenant. I. Colloredo-Mansfeld,

3rd Line Division Field Lieutenant. K. Civalara von Appokura,

1st Reserve Division Field Lieutenant. I. Chateleur-Courcelles,

2nd Reserve Division Field Lieutenant. F. Bianchi;

1st Cavalry Division Field Lieutenant. J. N. Nostitz-Rineka,

3rd Cavalry Division Field Lieutenant. A. Schneller.

Left wing under command. sergeant-major I. Gyulai:

2nd Line Division Field Lieutenant. N. Weissenwolf,

4th Line Division Field Lieutenant. A. Liechtenstein,

3rd Reserve Division Field Lieutenant. L. K. Folliot von Crenville,

2nd Cavalry Division Field Lieutenant. I. Lederer,

Army Corps Gen. J. Klenau:

3rd Light Division Field Lieutenant. J. Meszko,

1st Linear Division Field Lieutenant. A. Mayer von Heldenfeldt,

2nd Line Division Field Lieutenant. L. Hohenlohe-Bartenstein,

Cavalry Brigade Gen. F. Kuttalek.

Reserve artillery.

In the battle of Dresden on August 27, generals J. Meshko and F. Sechen were captured, on August 30 at Kulm the general was mortally wounded. F. Hiza. The army then returned to its previous corps structure. Unlike the French, Russian and Prussian armies, the composition of divisions and corps changed frequently.

In accordance with the Treaty of Ried of October 8, 1813 between Austria and Bavaria, the Austro-Bavarian Army was formed, which included the Austrian corps of General I.M. Frimont. In December, these troops were transformed into the 5th (Austro-Bavarian) Corps of the Bohemian Army.

In the battle of Leipzig A. a. suffered heavy losses: 419 officers and 14,541 lower ranks.

During the campaign in France in 1814, the army received a new structure, since German corps were included in the Bohemian Army, and the Southern Army was formed from part of its troops on February 13 (25).

Encyclopedia “Foreign campaigns of the Russian army 1813-14.”

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The Austrian Armed Forces are under the control of the Ministry of Defense and Sports of the Republic of Austria. They consist of ground forces and air forces, and their the total number is only 40,500 people.

The Austrian armed forces do not have a traditional three-service structure, but a slightly different structure. The Department of Defense has two types of commands - the unified support command and the armed forces command.

Austria is one of the few European countries that have retained a conscript army. And although the issue of abandoning conscription and switching to a contract army was put to a referendum in 2013, 60% of Austrians decided to leave everything as before. However, military service there lasts only six months.

History of the Austrian Army

Austria was once a very warlike country and participated in most of the major continental wars that took place in modern times. In 1918-1921 The semi-regular Austrian army Volkswehr fought in Carinthia against units of the Yugoslav army.

When in 1938 Germany pulled off the Anschluss of Austria, then all 6 divisions of the latter joined Hitler’s Wehrmacht, in which they had to go through the entire war. They made a special contribution to the activities of specific mountain infantry (jaeger) formations.

In 1955 As a supplement to gaining independence, Austria was forced to accept permanent neutrality, which was enshrined in the country's constitution. From that moment on, the Austrian army served only to protect its own neutrality.

In recent decades, Austrian troops have been put on heightened combat readiness several times when tensions increased in neighboring countries: in Hungary (1956) , Czechoslovakia (1968) , Yugoslavia (1991) , but she never got to the point of direct participation in armed clashes. First after World War II, in 1975 In the Austrian army, the 1st motorized infantry division was formed, which included 3 motorized infantry brigades, anti-aircraft and engineering divisions and a communications battalion. In 1987 The Austrian army had the largest structure, including 7 brigades, 14 headquarters formations, 158 battalions, 34 regiments and about a thousand small units. When the Cold War ended, the Austrian military began helping border guards control the influx of illegal migrants crossing the country's borders. The Balkan War increased the restrictions on the Austrian army imposed in 1955 state contract.

After 1960 year, the Austrian army began to be used in UN missions, and after 1995 year in Kosovo, in the NATO Partnership for Peace program.

At present The Austrian army is very compact, but it is well equipped and trained. The size of the Austrian army in recent years has been about 53 thousand people, of which 12 thousand people are doing military service. The country as a whole has mobilization resources of 1.55 million people.

Ground troops

They consist of four brigades: the 3rd, 6th and 7th are infantry, and the 4th is mechanized. The composition and purpose of all teams differ.

Air Force

The Airspace Control Command is responsible for the country's air defense. It has an air control squadron located in Zeltweg. Air support command includes helicopter units, as well as transport and training aircraft.

• Many Austrian military units preserve the continuity and traditions established by the imperial army Austro-Hungarian period.
• In the Austrian army Even before 2006, the Danube flotilla existed, which, according to tradition, was ranked among the engineering units of the ground forces.
• The crisis also reached the Austrian army, which in 2011 announced large-scale plans to reduce the number of armored vehicles in order to save money. It was planned to reduce combat units by approximately three times.
• Despite its compactness, The Austrian army has in its arsenal many types of weapons of its own production. Among small arms we can mention Steyr AUG assault rifles, SSG 69 sniper rifles, Glock pistols and other products of the famous company “Steyr Mannlicher”. Russian airborne special forces also use similar weapons. The Austrians also make the Cuirassier light tanks, the Pandur armored personnel carrier, and the Ulan infantry fighting vehicle, and they not only enter service with their own army, but are also exported.
• The most famous soldier of the modern Austrian army was Arnold Schwarzenegger, who served in a tank unit in 1965. During his service, he managed to distinguish himself - he sank a tank in the river and served a couple of months in the guardhouse for being AWOL.

This material is a translation of the book by Philip Haythornthwaite (color illustrations by Bryan Fosten) “Austrian Specialist Troops of the Napoleonic Wars” from the “Man-at-Arms” series No. 223. The translation by D. G. Tereshchenko was published in the military-historical almanac “Soldier” No. 60 (Artemovsk, 2000). Since the original English text is missing and it is impossible to determine where the author’s mistakes are and where the translator’s are, the corrections were made directly to the text, and not submitted in the form of comments as usual.

The page number of the translation by D. G. Tereshchenko is given in square brackets.

Artillery

By the end of the 18th century, Austrian artillery had become the best in Europe and was considered an example for other armies. During the War of the Austrian Succession, Austrian artillery performed extremely poorly, which forced us to pay close attention to this type of military force. In 1744, the Prince of Liechtenstein was appointed to the post of Director General of Artillery. The new chief founded an artillery school in Budweis (now Budejovice in the Czech Republic) and ordered the development of new, lighter and more maneuverable guns. By the beginning of the Seven Years' War, the reform had been generally carried out, and Austrian artillery served as a model for copying in other countries. Prussia borrowed the Austrian 12-pounder gun, and France copied the Liechtenstein howitzer. Gribeauval served in the ranks of the Austrian artillery from 1756 to 1762 and began the reorganization of French artillery along the Austrian model. However, at the end of the 18th century there was some stagnation in Austria. Austrian artillery was still the best in Europe, and the Austrian gunners were highly trained, but the Austrian army continued to adhere to the old tactical principles. This state of affairs continued through at least the first half of the French revolutionary wars.

Artillery, 1798. Junior officer (left) wearing a 1798 model helmet with a black and yellow crest. Brown camisole with red trim and lining, no lapels. The artilleryman (right) wears a helmet with a leather chinstrap and a red crest. There is a rolled up overcoat behind his back and a coil of rope in his hands. The rider (in the center) wears a light gray transport service uniform (including breeches) with yellow trim. There is a black and yellow bandage on the left sleeve. On his head is a regular round hat with a black and yellow pom-pom and plume.

Artillery, 1809. A non-commissioned officer (left) wears a brown shortened double-breasted overcoat with a red collar and brown (not red) cuffs. The hat is trimmed with yellow braid. Cane in hand. The lanyard on the saber is yellow and black. The artilleryman (center) carries a bag over his shoulder. A coil of cable is suspended on the other side. Both artillerymen are wearing boots with straight tops. The rider (on the right) wears a white uniform with yellow trim. Infantry type shako with yellow and black pompom and brass decorations. Although ordinary drovers were usually unarmed, this one was armed with a saber.

Organization

The organization of Austrian artillery was closely related to the theory of tactics. In peacetime, artillery did not have its own tactical structure, being represented only by command and control bodies. In wartime, artillery units were formed and acted as field artillery. In addition, light guns were included in each infantry and border ( Grenz) parts. This system, known as "battalion guns", was practiced by many other European armies. However, already the first clashes during the Revolutionary Wars showed that it had organic shortcomings. In particular, the insufficient maneuverability of battalion guns made it difficult for infantry to advance, which could not be compensated by additional firepower. England and France were the first to realize that “battalion artillery”, in fact, only leads to a dispersal of forces, and went to the other extreme, starting to practice the so-called “massive battery fire.” The massive use of artillery gave an additional effect that exceeded the simple total impact of the guns. Austria began to make attempts to centralize its artillery only in the 19th century, forming "support batteries" and "position batteries". This formation was based on the artillery reserve - initially a small service within the artillery.

In 1792, the artillery consisted of several headquarters with a total strength of 270 people, three field artillery regiments with a total strength of 9,282 people, 13 artillery garrison districts with a total strength of 2,166 people, a bombardier corps with a total strength of 845 people and a battalion of artillery fusiliers with a total strength of 959 people. It was armed with 3-, 6-, 12-, 18- and 24-pounder cannons, 7- and 10-pounder howitzers, as well as 30-, 60- and 100-pounder Kegorn mortars. Some heavy guns were cast iron, but most barrels were cast copper. The Austrian pound was lighter than other European countries, being only 0.83 times the English pound, and the French pound was even heavier. Therefore, the Austrian 12-pounder corresponded to 9.96 British pounds or 12.81 French pounds. Thus, the French guns, with an equal nominal caliber, had a quarter larger salvo.

The distribution of artillery in infantry units was uneven. In Italy and the Tyrol, each infantry battalion had two 3-pounder cannons, and in Germany and the Netherlands - 6-pounder ones. The infantry regiment's reserve included 12-pounder guns and howitzers. Border units usually had four 3-pounder guns for every three battalions. In border units, gun crews were formed from battalion soldiers. The regimental battery consisted of 50 soldiers. Only a few people were actual artillerymen; the majority of the crew was simply labor.

During the battle, the artillery moved forward along the front, the reserve guns were located further to the rear, while the guns practically did not move. The forward guns deployed 15 meters in front of the infantry formation and fired in the intervals between the volleys of the infantrymen. If necessary, 10-pound howitzers and 12-pounder guns could also be deployed to the front line. This maneuver added firepower and was repeatedly successful, as was the case during the War of the Bavarian Succession (1778–1779). During the Revolutionary Wars, a similar maneuver was also practiced, but without noticeable results, which was due to the lower relative saturation of infantry units with artillery.

Positional batteries usually consisted of four guns and two howitzers. The battery crew consisted of bombardiers, fusiliers and garrison artillery personnel, as well as attached infantrymen. Part of the "light reserve" were "cavalry batteries", armed with light 6-pounder cannons. Moreover, “cavalry batteries” were not horse artillery in the strict sense of the term. The formation of these units began in 1778. Batteries were created to create mobile artillery units, although not necessarily to reinforce cavalry units only. The battery personnel were recruited from among ordinary artillerymen; cavalry batteries were not allocated to a special branch of the army. The guns of cavalry batteries had an elongated carriage frame, on which there was a seat for the crew. The charging box was also equipped with a seat on top for the rest of the crew. These boxes are called Würst-Wagen(“sausage cart”). Of the battery personnel, only officers and senior non-commissioned officers traveled on horseback. The lower ranks were not allowed horses. The appearance of cavalry batteries was one of the consequences of the gradual loss of cavalry striking power. During the second half of the 18th century, cavalry gradually turned into an auxiliary branch of the army. The batteries were not supposed to support cavalry attacks with fire, but acted as ordinary field batteries.

Artilleryman, 1798. Helmet of the 1798 model, on the plaque there is an image of a gun barrel. Gaiters instead of boots. A narrower strap over the right shoulder supports the coil of cable.

Drummer, artillery. The uniform of the musicians in the “technical” parts was a regular uniform, complemented by braid on the collar and cuffs, as well as “swallow’s nests” on the shoulders. This drummer wears a late style "Corsican" hat.

Cavalry and conventional “foot” batteries operated together with a corps of drovers ( Führwesenkorps). The corps also provided traction for the staff wagons. Such allocation of drivers into a separate service was common in Europe, but such an organization seriously hampered the interaction of artillerymen and drivers. Until 1805, the artillery did not have its own horses, and before the start of the campaign they had to deal with requisitions.

The requirements for recruits in the artillery were higher than in the infantry. Candidate artillerymen were required to have certain skills. Although during wartime the requirements were lowered (for example, the requirements for the growth of recruits were relaxed), the candidate was required to be able to write in German and to be an Austrian citizen. The artillerymen were trained at the artillery school in the Budweis area in Bohemia, as well as in the Bomber Corps of Prince Kinski, who became Director General of Artillery in 1786. In educational institutions, soldiers received both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Lower ranks also received training. The seven-year course covered not only the basics of gun handling and tactics, but also covered areas of knowledge such as mathematics, observation, fortification, management and science. Soldiers who completed the course received an officer's patent. Graduates of the five-year course became non-commissioned officers, crew commanders and had the right to be promoted to officer in the future. Thanks to well-established training, Austrian artillerymen were the best in Europe. Although Archduke Charles introduced reforms in 1802, service in the artillery still lasted longer due to the course of training. So, an infantryman served in the Austrian army for 10 years, a cavalryman - 12, and an artilleryman - 14.

The artillery headquarters was called Feld-Zeugamt(administration of arsenals) and was formed in 1772. Initially, the headquarters consisted of the headquarters itself and two companies. In 1791, a reorganization was carried out, the number of staff reached 270 people, and in 1802 the number was increased to 463 people. The headquarters was staffed by artisans (blacksmiths, carpenters, etc.). Between 1800 and 1818, Lieutenant Colonel ( Major Oberst) Adolf Geiger. The headquarters was responsible for the maintenance and repair of the artillery fleet and carts. The staff of the headquarters were in reserve. Additionally, the headquarters was responsible for the distribution of ammunition. Feld-Zeugamt was located in Vienna, but its warehouses were scattered throughout the Empire. The key centers of Austrian artillery were in Vienna (siege park, depot of the southern provinces), Budweis (training center, artillery reserve), Prague (service center in Bohemia) and Brno (served artillery units in Moravia).

Artillery junior officer, uniform corresponds to 1813. The coattails of the camisole have lapels, the hat is worn like a cap.

Garrison artillery was organized according to the principle of districts ( Garnisons-Artillerie-Distrikte), the number of which constantly fluctuated within small limits depending on the territorial gains and losses of Austria. Garrison artillery districts were first formed in 1772. The districts covered Upper and Lower Austria (including Vienna), Inner Austria (Graz), Bohemia (Prague), Moravia (Olmutz (now Olomouc in the Czech Republic)), Hungary (Ofen), Banat (Temesvar (now Timisoara in Romania)), Slavonia (Peterwardein), Croatia (Karlstadt (now Karlowitz in Croatia)), Transylvania (base originally located at Hermannstadt (now Sibiu in Romania) and then moved to Karlsburg in 1794), Tyrol (Innsbruck was lost in 1805), Netherlands (Mechelen, lost in the Netherlands Campaign), Italy (Mantua lost in 1797, recovered in 1799, lost again in 1800), Galicia (Lemberg (now Lvov in Ukraine), Venetian Province (city of Venice from 1798) and Dalmatia (Zara).An additional district existed for a short period in 1793–1794 in Valenciennes.

The garrison artillery personnel consisted of artillerymen recruited from the 2nd Artillery Regiment (Viennese), disabled people decommissioned from field artillery units, as well as those who could not serve in field units due to health reasons. In addition, civilian specialists were actively involved in the repair and production of guns, small arms and gunpowder. In 1801, garrison artillery units consisted of 1,791 artillerymen and 1,113 civilian specialists.

Artilleryman of the "cavalry battery". A shortened overcoat, a belt over the left shoulder supporting a coil of cable. The gun is a 6-pounder Cavalleriegeschuetz cannon with an extended frame on which a saddle for four crew members is attached. The barrel is covered with a cover. A plug is placed on the ignition hole.

As mentioned above, the Bomber Corps was used as a school, and also accumulated the most qualified artillerymen. If necessary, corps personnel reinforced units of field or siege artillery. The corps was formed on November 1, 1786 and consisted of a headquarters and four companies. The corps was headed by an officer with the rank of lieutenant colonel ( Oberst-Lieutenant). Between 1808 and 1812 the corps was commanded by a colonel ( Oberst) Josef Smola. The corps headquarters was located in Vienna. The staff consisted of a corps commander, two majors, one artillery theory instructor (captain), two chief fireworks masters and three fireworks masters (the rank of fireworks master corresponded to a lieutenant). In 1801, the staffing of the headquarters was expanded by adding a fifth company. The company consisted of a captain, a chief lieutenant, two non-commissioned lieutenants, 24 chief fireworksmen, 36 fireworksmen, six cadets, one fourier (quartermaster) and one assistant fourier, as well as two musicians and 131 bombardiers. The main base of the corps was located in Simmering, it was commanded by an officer with the rank of Chief Fireworks Master. In field units, bombardiers were automatically appointed to the position of gun commander, fireworksmen led gun sections and even entire batteries.

A "cavalry battery" of 6-pounder guns on the march. Drivers in the new transport service uniform introduced in 1809, which can be identified by the presence of a shako.

The battalion of artillery fusiliers existed since the beginning of the 18th century. In 1772 it was disbanded, and the personnel were poured into the 3rd Field Artillery Regiment. The battalion supplied unskilled labor to units that operated independently (batteries within infantry or cavalry regiments used soldiers from the units to which they were attached). In 1790, the battalion was re-formed into a headquarters and six companies. The staff consisted of a lieutenant colonel, a major, a chaplain, an auditor (military legal service official), a rehnungsführer (treasurer), a surgeon major, a battalion surgeon, four assistant surgeons, a military police officer and a drummer. Each company consisted of a captain, chief lieutenant, non-commissioned lieutenant, sergeant major, fourier and his assistant, six corporals, two drummers, 100 lower ranks and 4 artisans. During wartime, staffing increased. The battalion served artillery units in Bohemia, Moravia and the Netherlands. In 1802 it was disbanded again, and the personnel were distributed between district headquarters and the new 4th Field Artillery Regiment.

The main fighting force of the Austrian artillery was three (later four) field artillery regiments, which were given territorial designations from 1807 onwards. The regiments were formed on May 1, 1772 on the basis of the previous artillery units, the Dutch field artillery regiment and the battalion of artillery fusiliers. The three regiments consisted of four battalions of four companies each. In 1790, 1796 and 1797, the regiments received an additional company.

1st Field Artillery Regiment(since 1807 Bohemian Field Artillery Regiment (Böhmisches Feldartillerie-Regiment )) by 1801 there were already 22 companies. In 1802, six companies were withdrawn from the regiment, forming a new 4th regiment on their basis. In 1815, the 1st Regiment received two additional companies.

2nd Field Artillery Regiment(since 1807 Lower Austrian Field Artillery Regiment (Niederösterreichisches Feldartillerie-Regiment )) in 1797 numbered 20 companies. In 1802, four companies were allocated from its composition for the 4th regiment. In 1815, an additional company was formed into the regiment.

3rd Field Artillery Regiment(since 1807 Moravian Field Artillery Regiment (Mährisches Feldartillerie-Regiment )) also consisted of 20 companies, and in 1802 4 companies were allocated from its composition for the 4th regiment. In 1815, two additional companies were formed.

4th Field Artillery Regiment(since 1807 Intra-Austrian Field Artillery Regiment (Inner-Österreichisches Artillerie-Regiment )) was formed on February 1, 1802 on the basis of 12 companies allocated from the first three regiments and the personnel of the disbanded battalion of artillery fusiliers. Initially, the regiment consisted of 16 companies, in 1815 their number increased by two. Almost immediately, the 17th and 18th companies of the regiment served as the basis for the formation of a new, 5th field artillery regiment.

The regiments never acted in full force. The regiment's companies were semi-autonomous units capable of operating separately as part of infantry units. For example, in 1809, the companies of the 2nd regiment were distributed as follows: 6 companies were in Italy as part of the army of Archduke Johann, 3 companies remained in Vienna, two were part of the army of Archduke Charles in Germany, two were in the regimental depot in Pest, one company was stationed in Hungary, one in Graz and one in Tyrol.

The regimental headquarters included an honorary regiment commander ( Inhaber), a colonel who actually commanded the regiment, a lieutenant colonel, three majors, a chaplain, an adjutant, an auditor, a Rehnungsführer, a regimental surgeon, four battalion surgeons, nine assistant surgeons, a drum major, six musicians and a military police officer.

The company consisted of a captain or captain-lieutenant (usually for 18 companies of a regiment there were 12 captains and 6 captain-lieutenants), a chief lieutenant, two non-commissioned lieutenants, a sergeant major, a fourier and an assistant fourier, 11 corporals, 100 gunners, 50 non-commissioned gunners and two musicians.

The size of the company could fluctuate. In 1802, the company's strength was 174 people. In 1811 - 170 people, and in 1813–15. - 177 people. The number of staff in 1802 was 31 people, in 1811–15. increased to 43 people. The strength of the regiment was 2815 people (1802), 2875 people (1813) and 3229 people (1815). The strength in 1815 corresponds to a regiment with 18 companies.

The size of the crew depended on the type of gun. The 3-pounder gun was served by 4 artillerymen and 4 soldiers. 6-pounder - four artillerymen and six soldiers. The crew of the 6-pound cavalry gun consisted of six artillerymen. The 12- and 18-pounder guns were manned by a crew of four artillerymen and 8 soldiers. The howitzer crew consisted of two bombardiers, two artillerymen and seven soldiers. Until 1808, soldiers were recruited from infantry battalions, to which guns were attached, and fusiliers served in reserve units.

Reorganization and tactical application

The reorganization of artillery was caused by the development of tactical thought. Instead of spraying artillery at individual battalions, the Austrian command switched to a more effective method of concentrating fire. Archduke Charles was the first to speak about concentration at the beginning of 1795, but quite a long time passed before the Archduke’s proposals were appreciated. At Austerlitz, for example, Major Frierenberg was able to simultaneously concentrate the fire of 12 cannons, managing to have a noticeable impact on the course of the battle. Although Austria had a large number of guns, tactical miscalculations led to the fact that the superiority in artillery fire was always on the side of the enemy. For example, at Wagram the French managed to assemble 554 guns, while the Austrians countered with only 414 guns. Considering the size of the French (154,000) and Austrian (142,000) armies, the French had 3.6 guns per 1,000 soldiers, while the Austrians had only 2.9.

Artillery hats. The dates indicated should be understood as approximate indications, since the boundaries of the transition from one headdress to another are quite blurred.

During the 1805 campaign, the Austrian army's artillery supply remained insufficient. The Austrian army had 11,260 artillerymen, assisted by a number of untrained infantrymen. As a result, during the campaign the Austrian army was able to use only half of its available artillery. As before, artillery was divided into linear and reserve. Although most infantry brigades had 3-pounder guns, the cavalry was left without artillery support.

The defeat of 1805 forced the Austrian command to reconsider its activities. Archduke Charles managed to carry out some reforms in 1808. However, the Austrian artillery still experienced an acute shortage of personnel, transport, and also continued to use outdated tactics. Karl gradually abandoned the use of battalion guns. The 3-pounder guns were assembled as part of eight-gun brigade batteries, and the 6-pounder guns ended up as part of the artillery reserve. The separation of infantry and artillery forced the formation of an auxiliary artillery corps - Artillerie-Handlanger Corps. The corps consisted of 8 companies, which, upon mobilization, deployed into eight battalions, serving both brigade batteries and the artillery reserve.

Artillery officers, 1815. Regular (left) and field (right) uniforms. Hiking uniform includes Oberrock and work trousers. The officer on the left was awarded the military badge of 1814. Both wear bicorns across, although at this time they could also be worn in the style of a cap.

Artillery unit carpenter. A leather apron with pockets, a hacksaw in a case and an ax in his hands. The rolled up overcoat is hung behind the back.

The auxiliary corps was formed on June 6, 1808 from artillery officers and non-commissioned officers, as well as infantrymen of the “German” infantry regiments. The companies were united in pairs into “divisions”. By 1813, the locations of the divisions were Vienna (the corps headquarters was also located there), Graz, Olmutz and Prague. One "division" was assigned to each artillery regiment. One company was enough to provide manpower for three batteries. The company consisted of a lieutenant, a sergeant major, and eight corporals. 170 privates and servants. The staffing schedule of the corps headquarters included 16 officer, non-commissioned officer and auxiliary positions. The headquarters was headed by Lieutenant Colonel K.F. Maresh von Marsfeld.

Until 1812, there was no need to deploy the corps - eight companies were enough to solve the problems (five in the Schwarzenberg auxiliary corps as part of the Great Army, two in Vienna and one in Theresienstadt). In 1813, the strength of the corps was already 30 companies, and in 1814 it reached 33 companies. At the same time, the regular strength of the corps was 7,157 people, although in fact about 6,000 soldiers served in the corps. On August 1, 1816, the corps was disbanded.

Archduke Charles also reorganized the artillery reserve into position batteries and support batteries. Each battery usually consisted of six guns, thus differing from eight-gun brigade batteries. Battery support ( Unterstuetzungs Battarien) were equipped with 6-pounder cannons (the batteries usually also had two 7-pounder howitzers). Position batteries had heavier guns, usually four 12-pounder (sometimes 6- or 18-pounder) guns and two 7-pounder howitzers. Only officers and non-commissioned officers rode on horseback. Transport for the batteries was provided by the transport corps, which by that time was partially militarized; many corps commanders received officer patents. From the end of 1808, each battery received permanent drivers.

In 1809, Charles introduced a new artillery regulation, which actually consolidated the existing system. The charter noted that the effectiveness of artillery increases if several batteries operate simultaneously, but there were no specific regulations in this regard. Since 1809, each corps commander had an artillery liaison officer on his staff, but the new tactics took root very slowly. In 1809, the Austrian army switched to the corps system, and the artillery was divided into brigade, cavalry, position and support batteries. Each brigade had a battery of 3- or 6-pounder guns, most cavalry brigades were reinforced by a cavalry battery of 6-pounder guns. Each division usually had a supporting battery of 6-pounder guns, and at corps level there were two or three position batteries of 12-pounder guns in reserve. By 1809, batteries were organized according to the following scheme. Brigade batteries: 8 guns, 8 single-axle charging boxes, 2-3 baggage carts, 23 gunners, 32 or 48 mates (for 3- or 6-pound batteries, respectively). 6-pound support battery: 4 guns, 2 howitzers, 2 single-axle ammunition boxes, 6 double-axle ammunition wagons, 3 baggage wagons, 20 gunners, 46 assistants. Cavalry battery: four 6-pounder cannons, 2 howitzers, 2-3 single-axle charging boxes, 24 pack horses, 6 forage wagons, 2 baggage wagons, 1 fireworks wagon, 32 artillerymen. 12-pounder position battery: 4 guns, 2 howitzers, 6 two-axle ammunition wagons, 3 baggage wagons, 20 gunners, 46 mates.

7-pound howitzers, charging boxes and baggage carts were usually drawn by two horses. 6-pounder guns and ammunition wagons - four. The 12-pounder guns were towed by six horses. The riders were listed separately.

After the defeat in 1809, four artillery regiments continued to exist, but the size of the auxiliary corps was reduced. The corps system was abandoned, so in 1813 the Army of Bohemia was organized as the left flank of the main force. By September 1813, it was decided to recreate some semblance of a hull system, although the name "corps" was not officially used, but instead the term Armee Abteilungen. The army's artillery initially consisted of 52 batteries: three 3-pounders, thirty-six 6-pounders, eleven 12-pounders and two 18-pounders. It can be seen that the 3-pounder guns were gradually abandoned in favor of the 6-pounder. A similar process took place in many other armies. Brigade batteries still had eight guns, and position batteries had four guns and two howitzers, usually 7-pounders.

Brown Ordnance Service jacket (red collar, cuffs and lapels, brass buttons) and greatcoat (red collar, brown cuffs and shoulder straps with red piping, brass buttons), 1803.

By September 1813, the Army of Bohemia had the following structure (the term "corps" is used for clarity): vanguard: two 6-pounder horse batteries, two 3-pounder brigade batteries. I, III and IV Corps: four 6-pound brigade batteries, one 6-pound horse battery, one 6-pound position battery and two 12-pound position batteries. II Corps: one 3-pounder and three 6-pounder brigade batteries, one 6-pounder horse battery, one 6-pounder and two 12-pounder position batteries. Army Reserve: four 6-pounder brigade batteries, four 6-pounder horse batteries. Artillery reserve: one 3-pounder brigade battery, five 6-pounder horse batteries, two 6-pounder, four 12-pounder and two 18-pounder position batteries.

Officer (left) and non-commissioned officer of the transport service, end of the Napoleonic Wars. An officer in a gray camisole with yellow trim, a red saddle cloth. A non-commissioned officer in a white uniform with yellow trim, on his shako there is a badge with the unit number. The top of the shako is trimmed with galloon. The cane is fastened to the buttonhole of the jacket. A heavy cavalry saber also served as an attribute of a non-commissioned officer.

Direct orders to concentrate artillery fire were given by Schwarzenberg in August 1813. He ordered that the guns be pushed forward as far as possible, without leaving them without cover. Several batteries were to fire together under the command of a senior officer. According to the observation of Sir Robert Wilson, by that time the level of training of Austrian artillerymen had dropped markedly.

A typical battery organization in 1813 looked like this:

Brigade battery: 6 guns, two 7-pounder howitzers, 8 charging wagons, 3 baggage wagons, 1 commander (officer or fireman), 4 non-commissioned officers, 34 artillerymen, 54 assistants. Position battery: 4 guns, two 7-pounder howitzers, 6 charging wagons, 3 baggage wagons, 1 commander (officer or chief fireworker), 4 corporals, 6 foreman (fireworker or bombardier), 4 bombardiers, 46 gunners, 44 assistants ( 54 mates in 12 lb batteries).

Austria was one of only two European countries (the other being England) to have used rockets since 1808. 6- and 12-pound rockets were used for siege and bombardment purposes.

Artillery uniform

The Austrian artillery uniform was similar to the infantry uniform, both in style and in the changes made. Privates wore a short single-breasted jacket, and officers wore a long frock coat. The peculiarity of the artillerymen's uniform was its color. The uniform was brown with red trim. The shade of brown could vary from year to year. This color is usually described as a "suede brown", a warm, medium-light color. Earlier descriptions mention wolf-gray, taupe. Such shades were found until 1803. However, it is not possible to accurately determine one shade or another.

Despite changes in the style of the uniform (changes occurred in 1798, when the size of the tail lapels was reduced, and in 1808, when the tail lapels were reduced even further), the color and insignia remained the same. The shortened soldier's jacket had a simple red collar, round cuffs and cuffs (the color was sometimes called "poppy red"). Shoulder straps with red edging. Red piping ran along the split hem and along the vertical and diagonal pockets. From 1809 the number of buttons on the chest decreased from 10 to 6, but paintings from the time show that jackets with 10 buttons were in use until 1814. At first there were one button on the pockets, and then there were three. Two buttons were sewn over the slit, and one more button was sewn onto the shoulder straps. There were two buttons on the back seam of the cuff (the soldiers of the garrison artillery and Zeugamt). The officers' buttons were covered with gold, but did not have any images. The lower ranks had brass buttons and bore the regimental number (field artillery), the letter “G” (garrison artillery), “Z” ( Zeugamt), "B" (bombardiers) or did not have any marks (fusiliers). Bombardiers and ammunition carriers did not have red cuffs.

The shoes and trousers were similar to those worn by soldiers of the “German” infantry regiments. White breeches with black gaiters (Fusiliers), black boots with knee-high tops (Field Artillery). Work pants were rarely used, this conclusion is made based on an analysis of paintings from that time. Around 1813, trousers began to be made from cloth in the same brown color as the jacket. Black leggings and boots with short tops appeared in 1815. At the same time, high boots began to have a small cutout on the top at the back of the knee. A brown vest completed the uniform.

The headdress of the artillerymen was originally a “Corsican hat” ( Corsehut). A similar headdress was worn by huntsmen. The hat had a cylindrical crown. Similar headdresses were used in many European armies in the 90s of the 18th century. The hat was made of black felt, had a low crown and wide brim. On one side (usually at the back) the brim was folded, fastened to the crown with a black and yellow cockade. The cockade was attached with a copper button and a yellow loop. The edge of the hat was sometimes trimmed with black fabric or leather tape. As an additional decoration there was a black and yellow plume. At this time, bunches of green oak leaves were often worn on headdresses ( Feldzeichen). This custom was preserved for a long time in the Austrian army.

Transport officer, 1800. Details of the horse harness are visible. Red saddle cloth with yellow or gold braid with black clearance, imperial monogram in the rear corners. The saddle is covered with black sheepskin. Although the hat has a senior officer's braid, there are no corresponding braids on the cuffs. In the center of the black and yellow pompom is the imperial monogram “FII”, characteristic of officers.

Sapper service, 1800. All in blue uniforms with dark red trim. From left to right: senior officer (auxiliary engineer corps), sapper, junior officer of the engineering corps, miner. The sapper and miner wear a round hat with a folded back brim. The officer's round hat has braid. The engineer's plume is entirely black.

In 1798, an infantry helmet appeared, which artillerymen wore along with the previous hat. The wearing of a helmet was abolished in 1803. The Corsican hat again became a single headdress, although it changed somewhat in style. They began to fold the left field, the hall had a sharp angle, the hat was decorated with a woolen pompom in the state colors (yellow with a black center) and a plume of the same colors. In 1806, the wearing of a bicorn hat was introduced (non-commissioned officers had such a hat already in 1802). The Corsican hat was worn again in 1811, but bicorns were not worn in practice until the end of the Napoleonic Wars.

Rank insignia followed the infantry pattern. Non-commissioned officers wore silver braid on their Corsican hats. Chief fireworkers wore an officer's uniform, and fireworkers wore an officer's doublet, but with soldier's breeches, gaiters and a hat. Ammunition carriers ( Munitionär) were distinguished by breeches and high boots, but did not have a lanyard on the saber. Non-commissioned officers, chief fireworkers and fireworksmen carried a saber, hanging it from their waist belt. The sergeants had a simple artillery uniform, but with insignia Prima Plana. In 1802, non-commissioned officers, fouriers and surgeons received large bicorns made of quality felt with a gold loop, a plume of feathers 10 inches long and two pom-poms at the corners. Among the details of the uniform characteristic of artillerymen are gold loops on non-commissioned officers' hats (yellow for lower ranks), brown vests, and a badge in the form of a grenade on bombardiers' belts.

The officer's uniform also resembled the infantry uniform in style and was a brown camisole with long tails. Epaulets were absent, as were any insignia in the modern sense of the word. Senior officers were distinguished from junior officers by the gold braid edging the cuffs of their camisole. (However, in one of the paintings you can see a rather unusual officer’s doublet - with shortened tails and heavy epaulettes). The officer's rank was indicated by a scarf ( Feldbinde), waist belt and lanyard. The sash was black and gold. The senior officers' waist belt is black with gold stripes and a gold-plated eagle buckle. Junior officers wear a white leather waist belt. Lanyard – black and gold. Although officially the Austrian camisole did not have cuffs, custom-made camisoles with cuffs in the same color as the collar, cuffs and lining were often found. The officers wore white leggings and boots with knee-length tops. The officers were armed with a sword similar to the sword of fusilier officers of the “German” infantry regiments. There were blades of other types. For example, there is a known image of an artillery officer armed with a heavy dragoon saber.

The auxiliary corps uniform was similar to that of the field artillery units, but differed in the blue color of the collar, cuffs and lapels. The personnel of the auxiliary corps wore bicorns and were armed and equipped according to the infantry model. The personnel of the cavalry batteries wore ordinary artillery uniforms. The Elberfeld Manuscript, dated March 11, 1814, contains a description of the artillerymen of cavalry batteries. It shows that the artillerymen wore a brown uniform with red trim and piping shoulder straps, gray working leggings with buttons along the outer seam, a black leather cavalry helmet with brass trim and a black and gold crest, a black waist belt with a sword belt, and a cavalry saber in an iron scabbard. Perhaps this description refers to individual soldiers or a single battery who used cavalry helmets as their standard headgear. ( Or are we talking about cavalrymen in artillery jackets? ).

Artillery equipment corresponded to the infantry model, although muskets were armed almost exclusively by fusiliers and soldiers of the auxiliary corps. All artillerymen had sabers of the same type as the dismounted grenadiers, with a slightly curved wide blade in a brown leather scabbard trimmed with brass (the brass parts were often covered with leather). The saber had a black fluted handle and a brass guard. A white leather lanyard was tied to the hilt. The scabbard was attached with a clip to a white sling over the right shoulder. A black leather bag with artillery supplies was worn on a similar sling over the left shoulder. Some members of the crew had a brown artillery pack, which was worn on a belt over the right shoulder. A coil of cable was often attached to the bag on the right hip, which was used in cases where the cannon had to be rolled by hand. The equipment was completed with a standard army flask or an oval wooden bottle. The artillerymen, armed with muskets, carried infantry cartridge bags on a white leather belt, and a bayonet was attached to the scabbard of the saber with a clip.

Transport

Organization

The military transport service provided carts and mounts not only to headquarters, but also to artillery and engineer units, and field bakeries. The service was formed in 1772 as Militär-Fuhrwesencorps. Under Joseph II, the strength of the corps was 1,743 men and 1,908 horses, while provision was made for the possibility of expanding the corps in wartime to a strength of 17,180 men and 34,000 horses. The main forces of the military transport corps interacted with artillery. Artillerie-Bespannungs-Division provided transport for three foot or two horse batteries and consisted of an officer, five non-commissioned officers, three artisans (a farrier, a blacksmith and a saddler), as well as 69 riders with 180 horses (122 riders with 203 horses in horse batteries). The exact number of riders and horses in the battery depended on the type of guns. The lightest batteries were served by 28 drivers, the heaviest by 66.

Miner, 1800. Typical mine equipment, including a pistol in a holster on a shoulder strap. The shovel cover has been removed and lies near the feet.

There was no particular shortage of transport. On the contrary, the officers kept a huge number of personal carts with luggage in the convoy, which significantly hampered the maneuverability of the army. Despite frequent criticism, it was not possible to establish order in the convoy, and the usual speed of the Austrian army on the march was only fifteen kilometers per day. To be fair, the speed of march of the French army was usually not much higher, but the French could make quick transitions if necessary, while the Austrians did not have such an opportunity. This gave the French the opportunity to win the initiative. In 1805, Mack gave the order to abandon the wagon train and take with them only the necessary supply of provisions and fodder for three to four days, as well as tents for half the personnel. However, this attempt by the Austrians to act in the French manner was a fiasco. The French have been practicing this technique for several years. while for the Austrians this was their first attempt.

In addition to the military transport service, the troops were accompanied by the “main warehouse” ( Hauptmagazine), staffed by civilian mercenaries. The warehouse supplied the forward warehouses ( Fassungsmagazine), from which the combat units were supplied. The amount of luggage varied depending on the size of the piece. In 1809, official regulations were introduced that provided that one infantry regiment could have in its baggage train one four-horse cart for personal luggage, ten four-horse carts with provisions (six for the border regiment), a field blacksmith's marching cart and a staff cart (both two-horse), and also 26 pack horses. The number of additional personal carts was not regulated. The cavalry regiment had only three food carts, and the cavalrymen were not provided with pack horses at all. The Jaeger battalion was entitled to a baggage cart, six supply carts and 12 pack horses. The engineer battalion had a baggage wagon, four food wagons, a blacksmith shop, and four pack horses.

A uniform

Although the military transport corps was not fully militarized (the rank and file received weapons only in 1819), the corps personnel wore military-style uniforms. Ordinary riders wore a bandage of state colors (that is, black and yellow) on their left sleeve as a distinctive sign. At first, officers and privates were dressed in white camisoles with an open chest, a yellow collar and cuffs, and the camisoles of officers had long tails, and those of privates had shortened tails. The uniform was completed with a white vest (officers had straw yellow) and white breeches. The officer's headdress is a bicorn, the soldier's is an infantry cap without a visor. An infantry waist belt with a rectangular brass buckle was worn over the vest, but under the camisole. Since 1772, riders serving artillery units wore artillery brown doublets, although many continued to wear the old white uniform.

Austrian heavy cavalry wore cuirasses until the war with the Turks in 1788-89. The same cuirasses were used by sappers. The French army also used cuirasses and iron helmets to protect sappers operating in enemy rifle fire.

A new uniform appeared in 1798. All personnel of the military transport corps received new headdresses: black felt hats with a crown 6 inches high, similar to those worn by pontooners. The hat was decorated with a black and yellow pompom and a black and yellow plume. An infantry-style jacket but mouse-gray in color (the shade could vary) with a yellow collar and cuffs, an infantry-type vest, but with sleeves, long infantry trousers, boots with high tops, mittens, a cap and roquelor(cloak). The introduction of the new uniform took some time, so back in 1800 a drawing was made depicting a rider in a cap, a light gray jacket and breeches, with a black leather belt, and boots with the tops turned down. From 1798, officers wore a round hat and a gray uniform with yellow trim. A description of a non-commissioned officer wearing a gold braid on his hat, 1 inch wide, dates back to 1799 (for corporals, the braid was half an inch wide). The armament of the officers and non-commissioned officers was a cavalry saber of the “German” type, but the rank and file did not have weapons. In 1799, craftsmen appeared in the corps, who wore a green camisole and a red armband, gray breeches and a vest with sleeves, as well as leather mittens and an apron. Such a uniform can be seen in Kobell's drawing made in 1805. The round hat has a tall black and yellow plume, a taupe jacket, and a black armband with yellow piping.

Sapper, 1809. Standard uniform (light gray jacket with green trim, white buttons, “Germanic” breeches and spats), but with a “Corsican” hat. The hat has a black and yellow plume; black and yellow pom pom and black leather chin strap.

In 1803 the uniform changed again. The riders received ordinary Corsican hats (for non-commissioned officers and corporals with silver braid) without a plume. The jacket remained of the infantry cut, but became white for drummers (there was no armband), non-commissioned officers and drovers. Blacksmiths have a gray jacket with yellow trim. The officer's uniform has changed less. The 1811 regulations specify a dark gray doublet with a lining of the same color, imperial yellow ( kaisergelb) collar and cuff trim, silver buttons, bicorn hat. The rest of the uniform was the same as the infantry uniform. Senior officers did not have rank insignia, but they wore Oberrock infantry cut, white breeches and boots with knee-length tops, steel cavalry “German” spurs, vest, gloves, sword with lanyard. The sash was missing. In 1810, adjutants began to wear a gold lanyard. The saddle cloth is of the “German” cavalry type (i.e., square), but the harness is hussar.

The shako appeared around the same time, but unlike infantry units it did not become widespread. Ottenfeld portrayed the shako from 1809 onwards. In 1813, Bartsch depicted a baggage cart driver wearing a shako. Klein continued to paint "Corsican hats" until 1814–15. Infantry type shako with a cockade or brass plaque on the forehead. The letter “T” (transport) and the division number were placed on the plaque. Such designations continued to be used for many years after the end of the Napoleonic Wars.

Klein's illustrations provide an excellent example of drovers' uniforms from 1813–1815. Typically the uniform consisted of a "Corsican hat" with a yellow and black pom-pom (the pom-pom could have a yellow loop) and a folded left brim, with or without a black and yellow plume; a white jacket with yellow trim and six buttons on the chest; white breeches; cavalry boots with spurs; and a wide white leather waist belt. Some (possibly blacksmiths) wore dark gray jackets (sometimes without tails at all) with a yellow collar and cuffs; dark gray work pants with brown leather trim and white buttons; “Corsican hat” or scarlet cap. Similar jackets without tails were used as work clothes along with Corsehut, breeches, boots, a leather apron and cavalry work trousers with buttons along the outer seam of the legs. There was a work cap with a visor in dark gray or dark blue. A taupe overcoat and white work trousers completed the wardrobe. Klein depicted officers wearing simple bicorns (sometimes trimmed with ribbon along the edges) and hooded cloaks. The collar has yellow buttonholes with white buttons.

Sapper service

Organization

The sapper troops in the Austrian army consisted of several separate services, some of which were not even subordinate to the director general of the sapper troops. In addition to the auxiliary sapper corps and two pontoon corps, the Austrian army had three large sapper services that existed in peacetime, engaged in the construction, maintenance and defense of fortresses.

Sapper (left) and pontoon, 1800. The sapper has a light gray jacket with green trim and white buttons, "German" trousers, black gaiters and a simple round hat. The pontooner has a dark blue jacket and breeches with red trim, and a black and yellow plume on his hat. Both are wearing white infantry uniform.

The most significant service, staffed entirely by officers, was the Corps of Engineers (at the beginning of the Napoleonic Wars it was commanded by Count Pelegrini). Ten major generals, six colonels, 11 lieutenant colonels, ten majors, 26 captains and 106 lieutenants served in the corps. The officers trained at the Engineering Academy in Vienna. The academy accepted both nobles and people of ignoble origin, and the latter predominated - the hereditary aristocracy did not favor the “technical” branches of the military. The course at the Engineering Academy lasted eight years. Since the Engineering Corps was small in number, academy graduates were often assigned to line regiments. By 1801, the following served in the Corps of Engineers: a director general, six colonels, eight lieutenant colonels, 12 majors, 30 captains, 30 captain-lieutenants and 60 chief lieutenants. The same structure included the Garrison Engineering Corps, which united one lieutenant colonel, six majors and 12 captains.

Corps of Engineers, 1809. From left to right: miner, pontooner, miner. All wear grey-blue jackets with dark red trim, although pontooners are often depicted in darker blue uniforms. All three have “Corsican” hats with a black and yellow pompom and plume. The pontooner has a crooked hat brim pinned with a badge in the form of an anchor. Pay attention to the miner's equipment, which includes a pistol holster and a shovel case.

The Engineering Corps had two battalions at its disposal: engineer-construction and engineer-miner. The first of them was located in Theresienstadt, Bohemia and was responsible for the construction of fortifications and military buildings. The second was based in Josefstadt and was responsible for the defense and siege of fortresses.

In 1801, the engineer-construction battalion consisted of four companies and a reserve detachment. In 1806, the number of combat companies increased to six. By this time, the battalion headquarters consisted of a colonel, a major, a surgeon, a paymaster, an adjutant, three paramedics, three fouriers with two assistants, a drum major, a military police officer and three specialists. Each company consisted of a captain, captain-lieutenant, chief and non-commissioned lieutenant, three senior sappers ( Sappeurmeister und Sappeurführer), ten junior non-commissioned officers ( Ober-Sappeur), 25 veterans (or “old sappers” - Alt-Sappeur) and a strictly undefined number of “young sappers” ( Jung-Sappeur). The reserve detachment consisted of four officers, 14 non-commissioned officers, 12 veterans and an undetermined number of young sappers.

The sapper-miner battalion was organized according to the same scheme. In 1801, the mine company consisted of four officers, two sergeants, two mine masters ( Minenmeister), two senior miners (Minenfuehrer) and a number of lower ranks ( Ober-, Alt- und Jung-Mineur). In 1805, the battalion consisted of five companies with a total strength of 637 people and a reserve detachment of 85 people.

Although the Engineer Corps, as well as the engineer-construction and engineer-miner battalions, were independent units, they shared a common hierarchy, although engineer officers were required to pass an exam or become an instructor at the Academy of Engineers to transfer to the engineer corps. Until 1800, battalions were replenished with infantrymen. Typically, regimental commanders sent their worst soldiers as sappers, so in 1801 the recruitment of recruits from the civilian population began. The following requirements were imposed on the recruits: young age, single status, physical strength, height of at least 163 cm and the ability to read and write German.

A uniform

The personnel of all three sapper units wore uniforms of the same color: gray-blue or cornflower blue with dark red trim. The cut of the uniform is infantry. In the first period of its existence, officers of the Corps of Engineers wore bicorns with gold braid, blue camisoles with red trim and button loops embroidered with gold. Senior officers were distinguished by a red vest and breeches; junior officers had these items in a straw-yellow color. The vest's buttonholes were also embroidered with gold. Miners and sappers wore blue-gray infantry-style jackets with dark red trim and white breeches, “round hats” with a brim turned up at the back of the head and a black and yellow plume on the left side.

Since 1798, the color of the uniform becomes cornflower blue and the trim becomes crimson. A “Corsican hat” with a folded brim, a black and yellow pompom and a black and yellow plume on the left side appeared as a headdress. Sapper officers wore camisoles with long tails of infantry cut and a hat with gold braid. Miner officers were distinguished by the silver braid on their hat. Officers of the Corps of Engineers wore the same uniform as sappers and miners, but with a bicorn hat with a black plume. White breeches and cavalry “German” boots completed the uniform. While working in the fields, they wore untucked work pants, gray jackets and vests.

In 1811, the officer uniform was brought to the infantry standard (i.e., all officers began to wear bicorn hats). Engineers were distinguished by a black plume 25 cm high, sappers and miners wore a black and yellow plume. The infantry cut camisole is cornflower blue or dark gray with cherry red velvet trim on the collar and cuffs, the lining is the same color as the camisole itself, the buttons are gilded without a pattern. Other details of the uniform (sword, sash, gloves, etc.) are of the infantry type. Oberrock although of an infantry cut, it was the same color as the camisole. The privates continued to wear Corsehut, the uniform has white buttons. Rank Obermineur And Obersappeur allowed the wearing of gloves and a cane, as well as a woolen band on the hat. The equipment is described in the commentary to color illustration E. During siege operations, sappers could wear iron cuirasses and helmets.

Auxiliary Engineer Corps

Organization

The auxiliary sapper corps was formed only for the duration of the war and was intended to help sappers and miners. The first auxiliary battalion was formed in November 1792. Until 1809, the battalion was subordinate to headquarters, and not to the director general of the Corps of Engineers. The battalion was staffed by soldiers of non-German nationalities. Half of the battalion's soldiers were from Bohemia, and 35% were from Moravia.

The Auxiliary Engineer Corps traced its history back to a battalion formed in 1758 consisting of four companies. Carpenters, foresters, miners and shipbuilders served in the battalion. The battalion's task included laying roads and those engineering tasks that had previously been solved by artillery. By 1801, the battalion consisted of a headquarters and five companies. On August 17, 1805, by order of Archduke Charles, the battalion was deployed, forming three battalions: two battalions of four companies were intended for service in Italy, and one battalion of six companies served in Germany. The German battalion was formed in Linz, the Italian - in Hertz. The battalions' personnel were recruited from infantry regiments (one regiment supplied ten privates and two corporals), as well as veteran sappers who had served in the past. The “Italian” battalions each had 1010 axes of various types, 840 picks, 840 shovels, 120 leather aprons (for carpenters), 64 saws and 200 cutters. Each company had a para-horse cart, and each division (two companies) had a four-horse cart. In addition, each company had one pontoon bridge. The “German” battalion had 720 axes, 630 picks, 630 shovels, 48 ​​saws and 150 cutters.

Sapper, 1813. A late type jacket with narrow lapels, which appeared after 1808, but with the old flaps on one button. The shovel is put into a case. The soldier is armed with a carbine instead of the required musket.

After the 1805 campaign, the corps was disbanded, but was re-formed in February 1806. By autumn there were two companies (three officers, 12 non-commissioned officers, 15 carpenters, 160 sappers and two drummers each). Two more companies were formed in January 1808. In September of the same year, two more companies were added, which made it possible to combine them all into the battalion. In each company, sixty soldiers were armed with muskets, the remaining 100 operated with axes, picks and shovels. In December 1808, three more companies were formed. Two of them formed a separate division stationed in Komorna, and the third company, along with the previous six, were deployed into divisions. Each division served: a captain, a captain-lieutenant, two chief lieutenants, two non-commissioned lieutenants, four sergeants, a surgeon with an assistant, a fourier with two assistants, 20 corporals, 30 carpenters, 320 privates, four drummers and four servants. Divisions 1st to 4th were stationed in Prague, 5th to 7th in Olmutz, and 8th and 9th in Graz. In August 1809, the 10th Division was formed.

1 – Sapper saber, which was in service from the middle of the 18th century until 1802. Ribbed handle, brass guard. Slightly curved blade, 26 inches long, with a saw on the back. Senior non-commissioned officers had no serrations on the blade, and the hilt was finished with gold. 2 – Sapper saber, model 1769. Brass hilt with wood or bone handle, slightly curved blade 22 inches long with a saw blade on the back. 3 – Sapper saber model 1807. Brass hilt with ribbed leather handle, 24" long slightly curved blade with saw blade on the back.

After the 1809 campaign, the Auxiliary Engineer Corps was reduced to a battalion of six companies. The battalion was formed in Graz from Hungarian companies and in January 1810 was sent to Vienna. In July 1810 the battalion's strength had been reduced slightly to five captains, one lieutenant captain, six chief lieutenants, six non-commissioned lieutenants, 12 sergeants major, 30 cadets, 72 corporals, six quartermasters, 120 carpenters, 810 privates, 12 drummers and 12 servants The reduction in numbers was compensated for by more thorough training of personnel. In August 1812, two more companies were formed, reorganizing the corps in the form of two battalions of four companies each. Each battalion consisted of 12 officers, 56 non-commissioned officers, 4 quartermasters, 80 carpenters, 620 privates, eight drummers and eight servants. In May 1813, the 1st Battalion was deployed to a strength of six companies. The 2nd Battalion became six companies in June. In August, the 3rd battalion of four companies was formed, and in June 1815 a reserve sapper company was formed. In 1816, the corps was reorganized and transferred to peacetime states.

A uniform

Since the Auxiliary Engineer Corps was under the authority of the Quartermaster General and was not part of the engineer corps until 1809, the soldiers did not wear their gray uniform with light green trim. Initially, the infantry cap with a brass plaque and the usual black and yellow wool pompom was used as a headdress, but in 1798 the uniform was changed. As a headdress they began to wear a round hat with a brim angled at the back of the head and decorated with a pompom. Short soldier's jacket in gray with green trim. In 1805, the wearing of the “Corsican hat” and a light gray uniform with green trim was introduced. In 1811, the officer's uniform became similar to the chasseurs' uniform, but without the hunting horn emblem, with smooth white buttons, an infantry vest, breeches and other items. Cloak dark gray ( schwarzgrau, literally black and gray) with green trim and white buttons.

Pontooners

Bridge construction service in the Austrian army was an important branch of the military. In this sense, the Austrians were an exception in Europe. During the war with the Turks in Hungary, the transfer of forces along rivers was not inferior in volume to the transfer of forces along roads, since roads were often blocked. From the middle of the 16th century, a special service was responsible for water transport ( Schiffmeisteramt), which under Maria Theresa became a pontoon corps, subordinate Kriegsbrücken-Wesen. In June 1767, the service consisted of a battalion with a headquarters and a garrison company. The general command of the pontoon troops was exercised by an officer with the rank of chief sergeant. The service garrison was located in Klosterneuburg. The battalion consisted of four companies. Each has three officers, Oberfeldbrückmeister, two Unterfeldbrückmeister‘a, five corporals, 15 veterans, 40 privates and a drummer. The companies had prefabricated bridges transported on six-horse carts maintained by the transport corps. In peacetime, bridge builders obeyed Oberschiffamt in Vienna.

Uniform of pontooners, 1798-1800. Jackets without tails, red stand-up collars, lapels and pointed cuffs, hussar-style boots, round hat. The band on the hat is yellow.

On May 3, 1805, the corps deployed to six companies, each numbering 121 people: three officers, two chief Brückenmeisters, two non-commissioned Brückenmeisters, eight corporals, a fourier, ten carpenters, 22 veterans, 72 privates and a drummer. During the 1805 campaign, 100 pontoons were sent to Germany and the same number to Italy. During the 1809 campaign, each company was reinforced with 25 privates. Carrying 120 pontoons required 120 six-horse wagons, six equipment wagons, five forges, five coal wagons for the forges, five passenger wagons, and 804 draft horses. During the 1809 campaign, the Austrian army had three companies operating with 170 (later 195) pontoons. One company was in Poland, one in Italy and one company remained in reserve. After the end of the 1809 campaign, the corps was reinforced with officers from the disbanded Austrian navy. In 1812, one pontoon company accompanied Schwarzenberg's auxiliary corps and lost almost all its personnel and equipment in Russia. In 1813/14 the pontoon corps was supported by a detachment of 150 Landwehr men and two companies of Chaikists.

Chaikists ( Czaikisten) was a border militia consisting of peasants living in the area between the Danube and Tissa rivers. The task of the militia was to ensure order and supplies, as well as perform the role of customs service on the Danube. The Chaikists used long, lightly armed seagull ships ( Tschaiken). The name of the boat comes from the Turkish “kaike” - rowing boat. As simple pontooners, the Chaikists were assigned to infantry companies, and often served as part of pontoon companies.

A uniform

The uniform of pontooners in general resembled the uniform of sappers, but had a number of features. The color of the uniform was described as cornflower blue and, as seen in drawings of the time, was a light shade. Officers wore regular doublets with long tails and red trim, red waistcoats and white breeches, and a bicorn hat. The uniform of privates was the same colors, but instead of a camisole they used a jacket without tails (or an infantry jacket with short tails) and a round hat.

By 1803, if not earlier, the “Corsican hat”, decorated with a brass anchor, began to be used as a headdress. An order of 1805 described the soldier's headdress as an unadorned hat; non-commissioned officers' hats were required to have silver braid, with senior non-commissioned officers using braid twice as expensive as that of corporals. In 1809, the brass anchor had a height of 7.5 cm. Non-commissioned Brückenmeisters had a 2.5 cm wide braid on their hat, while corporals had a braid half as narrow. The officer's uniform, described in 1811, consisted of a cornflower blue doublet, a cape with light red collar and cuffs, white buttons, silver chevrons above the cuffs, a red waistcoat, white breeches, a grenadier saber and other items of infantry uniform. The color of the uniform has been described in different ways. Definitions of hue varied widely. In 1805, a light blue waistcoat, jacket, and canvas work pants were mentioned. But usually it was about darker shades: grayish blue or even dark blue. In paintings of that time, the shade may not be conveyed accurately enough (especially when it comes to hand-colored engravings), but in the paintings the shade of the uniform is quite light.

Archduke Charles (1771–1847), son of Emperor Leopold II and younger brother of Franz II. Charles was one of the best Austrian commanders of his time (despite his disgrace after the defeat of 1809). He did a lot in terms of reorganizing the Austrian army.

Klein's illustrations, made in 1813/15, depict Corsehut with a high folded left margin, a black and yellow pompom on the front and a tall black and yellow feather plume. The jacket is blue, fastened on the chest with six buttons, the collar and cuffs are red, two white buttons are sewn on the cuffs along the back seam. Also red lapels and piping on the white shoulder strap on the right shoulder. Blue breeches, black high-top boots. The boot had a knee pad or cutout at the back. White leather infantry equipment. Grenadier saber with iron hilt and brown leather sheath. White leather lanyard.

Riding pontoon part, 1770–98. The uniform is generally standard, but is complemented by an infantry cap with an emblem in the form of an anchor.

At first, the Chaiski uniform was the same as that of the pontooners, but the jacket had red pointed cuffs, and an infantry helmet was used as a headdress, probably with an image of an anchor on the plaque. By 1809, the cut of the uniform had acquired a distinctly Hungarian style. A blue infantry jacket with red buttonholes, lapels and cuffs was decorated with a knot of fringed white galloon - the so-called Bärentatzen(bear Paw). Blue Hungarian leggings with black and yellow braid along the outer seam and a “Hungarian knot” on the front of the thighs, as well as Hungarian boots. The infantry shako was almost undecorated, with only one black and yellow pom-pom and a brass anchor. Black leather infantry equipment (including grenadier saber).

Medical service

Organization

The medical service in the Austrian army was in its infancy and was completely inadequate to the needs. Even the existence of the Military Medical Academy - Josephinium, named after Emperor Joseph II, who founded it in Vienna in 1785, did not save the situation. The Academy was headed by Anton Edler von Bienenburg, who also commanded the medical service of the Austrian army. The first organized medical units appeared in the Austrian army only at the end of the Seven Years' War, when Lacy created mobile "flying" medical groups that provided assistance to lightly wounded soldiers. These groups later became field hospitals.

In peacetime, hospitals served army garrisons, and in wartime they followed the army. The medical service was staffed haphazardly. For example, the role of orderlies was usually played by disabled people or soldiers' wives. If possible, hospitals were set up in the settlement closest to the battlefield, involving civilians in working there.

Despite all the shortcomings, the Austrian medical service was represented throughout the army - each regiment had a senior surgeon. The battalions had assistant surgeons, and each company had orderlies. Only senior officers could study at Josephinium. At the same time, a medical school operated in Gumpendorf. In total, the Austrian army had 120 staff surgeons and approximately the same number of regimental surgeons. All of them had higher medical education. Battalion Surgeons ( Ober-Chirurgen) had some systematic medical education, and company orderlies ( Unter-Chirurgen or Feldschers) combined their direct duties with the functions of a barber and learned everything from their experience. Even senior surgeons did not have the status of officers, but were considered military officials, in which they were similar to the commanders of the transport corps. All this made the medical service less prestigious, which caused a shortage of personnel. In addition to the medical service, the army operated a military pharmacological department, which operated field pharmacies. Since 1794, pharmacies were run by civilians subordinate to regimental surgeons.

Archduke Charles did a lot to change the situation for the better. In 1807, he ordered that units be accompanied into battle by ambulances ( Bandagenwagen), which played the role of a mobile dressing station. In 1808, the formation of garrison hospitals began. During the battle, medical treatment points for the wounded operated in the rear. Two staff surgeons and assistants served there, and the disabled and lightly wounded were used as manpower. They collected the wounded on the battlefield and evacuated them to the rear. It was prohibited to provide qualified medical care to the seriously wounded on the spot. Officers, even with a trivial injury, had absolute priority. Without the help of civilians and religious organizations, the Austrian medical service could not function normally.

A uniform

Medical workers subordinate to the head of the medical service wore a characteristic uniform, which differed sharply from the army model. The cut of the uniform changed over time, but the colors remained the same. Initially, doctors wore a blue infantry officer's doublet with a black collar and cuffs, a red vest and breeches, and a bicorn hat. Senior medical officers had a hat and vest trimmed with gold braid, and insignia made of gold braid were placed on the sleeves of the camisole of senior officers. Doctors were not entitled to a sash, which meant they did not have an officer's license. Instead of a sash, they wore a white leather waist belt, worn over the vest, but under the camisole. An infantry-type sword; since 1799, doctors received the right to wear a lanyard on their sword. The color of the uniform remained the same throughout the entire period, only later did white infantry breeches appear.

Staff officers, 1800. The general (in the center) wears a white doublet with red trim and red breeches, an early turn-down collar with a stand-up collar. On the left is a member of the Quartermaster's staff wearing a green doublet with black trim and gold braid at the cuffs. On the right is the adjutant general in a green camisole with red trim, a sash tied over his shoulder, like the regimental adjutants. All have green staff plumes.

Members of military departments. On the left is a military chaplain, on the right is a medic. Chaplains wore a black suit. Instead of boots, there were stockings with shoes. Characteristic black collar with white piping. The medic wears a blue infantry jacket with black trim (blue trim was also available). Gold braid on cuffs and hat. White breeches, boots, an infantry sword suspended from a waist belt. Since both characters do not have an officer's license, they are not entitled to a sash.

General, 1809. Late type camisole with white stand-up collar and red cuffs. Galun with a characteristic zigzag pattern. Red breeches, hat with gold braid and green plume. On the left is a grenadier of the “German” regiment.

General base

Organization

As a result of the reforms carried out by Field Marshal Count Lacy, chairman of the military council in 1766–74, the Austrian army received a developed headquarters structure. The capabilities of the Austrian headquarters made it possible to control the Austrian troops without tension, leaving the necessary reserves for leading units of the allied Russian army. For example, during the Austerlitz campaign, the Austrians fully provided Russian troops with leadership on the march. This dominance of the Austrians led to certain frictions with the Russian command, especially when a number of defeats followed as a result of miscalculations by the Austrian command. Despite its strength, the Austrian headquarters had its shortcomings. First of all, it was seriously hampered by the fact that many staff structures duplicated each other, responsibilities were not clearly distributed, and civilian authorities had the right to interfere in some purely staff issues. Another drawback of the Austrian headquarters was its incredible bureaucratization. The scale of paper creation exceeded all imaginable limits.

Many paintings from that time show Austrian soldiers with decorations. Shown here is the Order of the Golden Fleece, the main Austrian award, established back in 1429 by Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy. The order consists of a gold badge in the form of a rune, suspended on a blue enamel scroll with the inscription Pretium laborum non vile (Reward is not inferior to feat), red flames shoot out of blue stone. The order was worn around the neck, suspended on a red ribbon, or the ribbon was threaded through a button loop.

Order of St. Stephen (established in 1764). This was a reward for civilians. Franz I founded the Order of Leopold in January 1808, which was awarded to both military and civilians. The large knight's cross of the order was a breast star with a red and white cross inscribed in it, surrounded by oak leaves. Inscribed in the center is the motto Integritati et Merito, and the FIA ​​monogram (Franciscus Imperator Austritte). The Commander's Cross had a similar design, but was topped with a gold imperial crown. It was worn around the neck on a red ribbon with a white edge, 2.5 cm wide. The Knight's Cross had reduced dimensions and was worn on a ribbon 1.75 cm wide, threaded through a button loop. There was a medal of the Grand Knight's Cross, which was worn on everyday uniforms.

The main administrative unit of the Austrian army was the Court Military Council - Hofkriegsrat. The council was established back in 1566. He supervised the work of the “technical” departments: engineering, quartermaster and weapons. Also, the border guards along the border with the Ottoman Empire were directly subordinate to the Council. However, the Council's tasks did not include direct control of troops during the campaign. In 1792, the State Council was formed ( Staatsrat), who was responsible for internal affairs. From the very beginning, this council duplicated existing structures, so its necessity was controversial. Lacy divided the Court Military Council into two military and one civilian department (military justice). Administration was organized in a similar way in 12 military districts ( General commander) Austrian Empire. The “technical” departments were connected to the Court Council, but retained their independence: engineer, artillery, weapons, medical, as well as the civil supply service ( Hauptverpflegungsamt) and river transport service ( Schiffamt).

Archduke Charles made an attempt to streamline the structure of the headquarters in 1801–05. The State Council was abolished, and the main governing body became the Ministry of War, which subordinated the Court Military Council. The structure of the court council remained unchanged. Charles himself took the post of Minister of War. With his reform, Karl managed to reduce the bureaucratization of the army leadership, but the Court Council managed to preserve the old levers and connections, and when Karl fell out of favor with the emperor in 1809, everything very quickly returned to its original state.

The Order of Maria Theresa was given exclusively for military merit. It was established in 1757. Since 1765, the order has existed in three classes: Grand Knight's Cross, Knight's Cross and Commander's Cross. Other degrees of the award were white enamel crosses with a gold border and a red and white center. The cross was worn around the neck (commander's) on a red and white ribbon or in a button loop (knight's).

The large knight's cross was worn in the form of a wide ribbon over the right shoulder with a ceremonial uniform (poppy-red ribbon with a white gap) and a silver pectoral cross with gold edging and the motto Fortitudine (For Valor) framed by green enamel laurel leaves. In the center of the cross there is a red and white Austrian coat of arms.

Direct control of the troops was carried out by the general quartermaster headquarters. The leading roles in it belonged to the emperor and his military advisers, who formed the general staff. The headquarters of each branch of the army was staffed by professional staff officers and adjutants general. In wartime, the headquarters of the military branches were reinforced by General Staff officers. Supply and military police were in charge of the mixed military-civilian General Military Commissariat. In peacetime, the headquarters of the military branch consisted of 21 staff officers (ranked major and above), 16 captains and 12 lieutenants. These headquarters were unable to cope with the corps system of army organization introduced on the eve of the 1809 campaign. Each corps commander received at his disposal a small headquarters, which was responsible for managing the “technical” branches of the military. The headquarters could not cope with direct control of the corps; as a result, all decisions were made late, and the reaction to the enemy’s actions was inadequate. After the defeat of 1809, Count Joseph Radetzky was appointed chief of the general quartermaster staff, who in 1810 reorganized the headquarters, dividing it into several departments. However, Radetzky left transport and police under the control of civil authorities, although these two issues needed to be resolved as a matter of priority.

The headquarters had its own combat units, formed in wartime and responsible for the protection and escort of headquarters members. These were headquarters infantry and headquarters dragoon detachments. The dragoons rode on horseback and wore the distinctive blue and red dragoon uniform. The headquarters dragoon detachment was formed in 1758 from the most reliable cavalrymen. One of the headquarters dragoon divisions served in 1812 in Galicia, and in 1813/15. - in Germany and France. The second division was formed in June 1813 and served in Italy. The third division was formed in January 1814. This unit served in France in 1814 and in Alsace in 1815. All headquarters units were disbanded in 1816.

A uniform

Until 1751, there was no special uniform for staff officers and generals, and they wore their regimental uniforms. Then came a white uniform with gold braid. In the 80s of the 18th century, a zigzag pattern was added to the braid. Gilded buttons with a rim and a stylized image of a flower. The cut of the uniform followed the fashion of the time, changing as infantry uniforms changed.

Order of Elisabeth Theresa, established in 1750 for officers who have served for 30 years. The cross had one (knightly) degree and was a white enamel medal with red and white rays, with a gold edging, a gold motto and a gold wreath. The order was worn on a black ribbon threaded through a button loop. In the center are the monograms of the EU (Elizabeth Cristina) and MT (Maria Theresia).

In 1798, a division into everyday and dress uniforms appeared. The general's ceremonial uniform consisted of a white camisole with red trim, decorated with gold braid and gilded buttons, red breeches, a sash and bicorn with a green plume, as well as a black and gold belt. The daily uniform consisted of a gray jacket, the color of which, according to official documents, matched the color of the trim of the 49th Infantry Regiment uniform with a red collar and cuffs. The harness of the general's horses corresponded to that used in the "German" cavalry units. Scarlet saddle cloth with gold edging. In the rear corners there is a gold imperial monogram. Kobell in 1805 depicted a saddle cloth with pointed ends. The saddle cloth was white (possible mistake?) with gold edging and monograms in all four corners.

The generals of the Hungarian cavalry wore a special uniform. The style of this uniform was hussar. The ceremonial uniform of the Hungarian generals included the following items: a fur shako with a plume, a red dolman and breeches, a white mentic with five rows of buttons, gold braid, a black and gold hussar sash, a waist belt with gold braid, a red tashka with a gold imperial monogram. The ceremonial saddle is red with gold and black piping, the saddle is covered with tiger skin. The everyday uniform consisted of a felt shako with a visor, three gold braids and a green plume 25 cm high, a red dolman, a gray mentic and breeches made of white, red fabric or yellow leather. Hungarian (i.e. pointed) saddle cloth with gold braid.

Adjutants General received their uniform in 1765. The uniform had an infantry cut, was dark green with red trim and smooth gold buttons. Infantry officer's bicorn hat with green plume. The vest and breeches are straw-yellow, the officer’s boots are of the “German” type. Oberrock dark green with red cuffs and lining, green buttons. General's black and gold waist belt with sword. During the campaign, generals wore gray work pants. Horse harness of an infantry senior officer. The adjutant wing wore the same uniform, but with silver buttons and a saber instead of a sword. Regimental adjutants wore a sling over their left shoulder.

Staff members included chaplains who wore black frock coats, vests and breeches, black stockings and shoes or boots.

The Medal for Bravery was established by Joseph II for non-commissioned officers and privates who showed heroism. There were two levels of the medal: gold and silver. Silver medal holders received a fifty percent increase in salary, and gold medal holders had the right to receive an increased salary for life. On the obverse is the profile of Joseph II, on the reverse there is a laurel wreath with the inscription Der Tapferkeit (For bravery). Red and white striped ribbon.

Cross of Distinction for Military Chaplains. Established by Francis II in November 1801 for heroism during service. Gold cross with blue enamel center. Motto Piis Mentis, white and red striped ribbon.

Military distinction in 1814. It was received by all participants in the campaigns of 1813-14. Bronze cross in an oak wreath, black ribbon with a white gap. The second name of the distinction is “Cannon Cross”, since the award was made from bronze barrels of captured French cannons.

Every year, about 45 thousand young Austrians receive a draft notice by mail. In a few months, a conscript goes from private to platoon commander, receiving benefits and benefits. But there are differences between compulsory military service for Austrians and foreigners with dual citizenship.

How the Austrian armed forces are formed

The Austrian armed forces number about 53 thousand people and consist of ground forces, air force and militia

All men from 17 to 35 years old inclusive are subject to military conscription in Austria. If desired, a conscript can choose 9 months of alternative civilian service. To do this, you do not need to go to court or take a certificate from a psychiatrist - it is enough to submit an appropriate application within a month after the medical commission.

Passing a medical examination

The medical examination takes place in two days, and not only the health status of the conscript is checked, but also special skills are determined: computer skills, knowledge of languages, driving vehicles, and so on.

The commission makes one of three verdicts:

1. Fully fit for service.
2. Unsuitable temporarily (eg due to injury). In this case, you will have to undergo a medical examination again later.
3. Completely unusable.

Cases where a conscript tries to avoid military service for health reasons are rare in Austria. Military doctors strictly check all certificates and medical reports. If the disease is considered not serious, the conscript will be recruited, but will be given restrictions on physical activity.

A conscript can receive a deferment of up to 28 years while studying at the university. To do this, you must provide the commissariat with a certificate of admission to a university or other educational institution.

Rights and benefits of soldiers of the Austrian army

A big advantage of the Austrian army is its respect for the rights and interests of conscripts. For example, a young man can safely ask to be assigned a duty station closer to home and go there for the night. In the same way, the conscript has the opportunity to choose the most suitable branch of the military for him.

It is especially convenient for residents of Vienna to choose a place of service. After all, most army barracks are concentrated around the Austrian capital.

Conscripts are allowed to take mobile phones, tablets and laptops with them to service. All barracks in Austria are equipped with Wi-Fi, so after lights out you can write to relatives and friends about everyday life in the army, watch a movie or listen to music.

The Austrian army bears the cost of transporting conscripts to their place of service. Moreover, for all 6 months, soldiers have the opportunity to travel for free on trains throughout Austria.

There is no ban on smoking and alcohol in the Austrian army. Of course, you cannot bring alcohol with you when joining the unit, but no one forbids drinking a bottle of beer after lights out. The main thing is not to overuse it, so that the next morning you will be in a state of combat readiness.

During the entire six months of service, soldiers receive 328.7 euros each month. This amount consists of a base salary of 112.63 euros and benefits of 216.07 euros. Promotion in rank also guarantees an increase in benefits:

• corporal - 58.23 euros;


• junior sergeant - 72.79 euros;


• platoon commander - by 87.09 euros.

Those who are selected for the army militia are paid a one-time bonus of 480 euros.

The Austrian army covers the cost of renting an apartment and also takes care of the soldier’s family. A soldier's wife is guaranteed to receive 50% of her husband's income - from 573 to 2,600 euros. If there is a child in the family, from 125 to 520 euros will be transferred monthly for him, depending on the income of the head of the family.

Barracks life and daily routine in the Austrian army

There is no hazing in the Austrian army. The main thing here is to be responsible for your colleague as for yourself.

Soldiers live in barracks in groups of 8 and are responsible for each other. Each barracks has group responsibility. If one soldier's bed is sloppily made, the whole group gets the outfit. This improves discipline and strengthens team spirit.

Any army unit has a strict daily service schedule:

• 6:00 – wake-up;


• 6:00 – 6:45 – dressing, making beds, breakfast;


• 6:45 – 7:20 – room cleaning, preparation for service;


• 7:20 – formation on the parade ground;


• 7:30 – 7:40 – military review;


• 7:40 – 12:00 – performance of official duties;


• 12:00 – 12:45 – lunch;


• 12:45 – 16:00 – performance of official duties;


• 16:00 – 16:15 – orders for the next day.

After 16:15 the soldiers have free time. They can go about their business and, with the commander’s permission, leave the unit’s location. Lights out at 10 pm.

Requirements for military registration of citizens living outside Austria

If an Austrian citizen living abroad for more than 6 months receives a summons, he is obliged to immediately report this to the local military commissariat, as well as notify the embassy or consulate.

An exception is made only for those Austrian citizens who are officially declared unfit or who have already served in the army.

If a citizen comes to Austria, changing his place of residence, he must contact the military command of his city within three weeks.

Military duty for persons with dual or multiple citizenship

If a young foreigner came to Austria and received citizenship here, he will receive a summons to appear at the recruiting station

Austrian citizens with dual or multiple citizenship living in one of the federal states are required to perform military service in the Austrian armed forces. But does this mean that it is necessary to serve in all countries of which the conscript is a citizen? Not at all.

Those citizens who have already served in another country are exempt from serving in Austria. Likewise, those who have completed military service in Austria are not required to serve in the countries in which they were issued their passports.

Austrians with dual or multiple citizenship need to remember one important point of Austrian law. Voluntary enrollment in the military service of a foreign state (for example, in a foreign legion) leads to deprivation of citizenship.

Agreements to avoid double conscription

It is quite advantageous for persons with dual or multiple citizenship to choose service in Austria. At least due to a short service life

How to avoid double conscription for Austrian citizens who are also citizens of other countries and reside there? This is where the agreements on dual and multiple citizenship that Austria has acceded to over the past 80 years come into force:

• Strasbourg Conventions No. 43 of 1963 and No. 166 of 1997.


• The Hague Protocol of 1930.


• 1981 Treaty between the Republic of Austria and the Argentine Republic regarding military service of dual citizens.


• 2000 Agreement between the Republic of Austria and the Swiss Confederation on the military service of dual citizens.

Basically, all agreements duplicate each other with some reservations and additions.

The 1997 agreements note that persons with multiple citizenships must perform military service in only one country. The conscript performs military service in the state where he lives. But until the age of 19, a citizen has the right to choose in which state to serve.

Here you need to take into account which countries participating in the agreement have military conscription and where there is not.

No mandatory service:

• Belgium;


• France;


• Great Britain;


• Ireland;


• Iceland;


• Italy;


• Luxembourg;


• Spain;


• Albania;


• Bosnia and Herzegovina;


• Bulgaria;


• Montenegro;


• Portugal;


• Romania;


• Slovakia;


• Czech Republic;


• Hungary;


• Germany;


• Netherlands;


• Sweden.

There is a mandatory service:

• Finland;


• Macedonia;


• Moldova;


• Ukraine;


• Denmark;


• Norway;


• Austria.

According to the consolidated provisions of the two conventions, if an Austrian citizen with multiple passports lives for up to 35 years in a country where conscription has been abolished, he is exempt from military service in Austria.

Hague Protocol

According to the document, anyone who has the citizenship of two or more parties to the Hague Protocol and permanently lives in one of these states is exempt from military service in all countries that have signed the protocol.

In addition to Austria, this agreement was signed by:

• Belgium;


• Great Britain;


• Malta;


• Netherlands;


• Sweden;


• Cyprus;


• Lesotho;


• Liberia;


• Malawi;


• Mauritania;


• Mauritius;


• Niger;


• Nigeria;


• Zimbabwe;


• South Africa;


• Swaziland;


• Brazil;


• Salvador;


• Colombia;


• Cuba;



• Australia;


• Fiji;


• Kiribati;


• India;


• Myanmar.

Bilateral agreements

According to the agreement between Austria and Switzerland, dual citizens of these countries must serve in the army of the country where they currently live. However, until the age of 19, as is the case with Council of Europe agreements, the conscript can choose the country in which he will serve his military service.

The agreement between Austria and Argentina exempts a person with dual citizenship from serving in one of them if he has already served in the other or has been declared unfit. The same applies to deferment from military service.

Conclusion

Freedom of choice and protection of rights are maintained in Austria for conscripts with dual or multiple citizenship. Here, multilateral agreements provide additional legal support. The soldier receives benefits, is provided with free food and travel, there is no hazing in the barracks - all privates in the group are equal to each other and within 6 months they become brothers in arms.

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armed forces Austrian Airlines, armed forces Austrian composer
1955 - present time

A country Subordination

Austrian Ministry of Defense

Included in

Ground troops
(Landstreitkräfte) 21,700
Air Force
(Luftstreitkräfte) 4,300
militia
(Miliz) 27,000

Number

53,000 people (2014)

Commanders Acting commander

Gerald Klug

(German: Österreichisches Bundesheer) - a set of troops of the Republic of Austria, designed to protect the freedom, independence and territorial integrity of the state. Consist of ground forces and air forces. Call for 6 months.

Austrian paratroopers with Steyr AUG during exercisesMain battle tank Leopard 2Eurofighter Typhoon in flight

• 1 History of the Austrian Armed Forces
• 2 Composition of the armed forces
  • 2.1 Ground forces
  • 2.2 Air force
• 3 Rank insignia
  • 3.1 Generals and officers
  • 3.2 Sergeants and soldiers
• 4 Interesting facts
• 5 Notes
• 6 Links

History of the Austrian Armed Forces

The Austrian army took a direct part in almost all major European military conflicts of the modern era. Between 1918 and 1921 the Austrian semi-regular army was called "Volkswehr". She fought against Yugoslav army units occupying parts of Carinthia.

As a result of the Anschluss in March 1938, all 6 Austrian divisions became part of the Wehrmacht (44th and 45th Infantry, 4th Light, 2nd and 3rd Mountain Divisions) and went through the entire Second World War as ordinary German formations, making a special contribution to the development of the German mountain infantry troops.

In 1955, Austria declared its Permanent Neutrality and enshrined it constitutionally. Since then, the main goal of the Austrian Armed Forces has been to protect Austria's neutrality.

In modern times, the Austrian army was put on high alert several times due to the aggravation of the situation in border countries (Hungary in 1956, Czechoslovakia in 1968, Yugoslavia in 1991), but never took part in armed clashes. In 1975, for the first time since World War II, the Austrian army created a division-level formation - the 1st motorized infantry division, consisting of the 3rd, 4th and 9th motorized infantry brigades, communications battalions, engineering and anti-aircraft divisions. The Austrian army reached its maximum scale in 1987, comprising 14 formation headquarters, 7 brigades, 34 regiments, 158 battalions, 943 small units.

Since the end of the Cold War, the Austrian military has assisted the border police in managing the influx of illegal immigrants across Austrian borders. The war in the neighboring Balkans led to a rise in restrictions on the armament range of the Austrian armed forces, which had been imposed by the 1955 State Treaty.

Since 1960, the army has participated in UN missions, and since 1995 in the NATO Partnership for Peace program (Kosovo).

In January 2013, a plebiscite was held in Austria on the issue of switching from compulsory conscription to a professional army. Voters by a large margin (60%) favored maintaining universal conscription.

At the moment, Austria has a small but well-trained and equipped army.

Composition of the armed forces

Number of military personnel: about 53,000 people (including 12 thousand conscripts)

Mobilization resources: about 1,550,000 people

Military budget, $:3,209,000,000

Ground troops

Main article: Austrian Land Forces

The number of ground forces of the Austrian Armed Forces is about 21,700 people.

By the beginning of 2013, it is planned to reduce the number of armored vehicles from 1147 to 389 units. Over time, some Leopard tanks will also be decommissioned and sold.

Air Force

Main article: Austrian Air Force

Insignia

Generals and officers

Categories	Generals				Senior officers			Junior officers
For field uniform
Austrian rank	General	Generalleutnant	Generalmajor	Brigadier	Oberst	Oberstleutnant	Major	Hauptmann	Oberleutnant	Leutnant	Fahnrich
Russian correspondence	Colonel General	Lieutenant General	Major General	No	Colonel	Lieutenant colonel	Major	Captain	Senior Lieutenant	Lieutenant	Ensign

Sergeants and soldiers

Categories	Sub-officers						Sergeants			Soldiers
For field uniform
Austrian rank	Vizeleutnant	Offiziersstellvertreter	Oberstabswachtmeister	Stabswachtmeister	Oberwachtmeister	Wachtmeister	Zugsführer	Korporal	Gefreiter	Rekrut
Russian correspondence	No	No	No	Sergeant Major	Senior sergeant	Sergeant	No	Jr sergeant	Corporal	Private

Patrol boat "Niederosterreich"

1. Many units of the Austrian army maintain the traditions and continuity of the imperial Austro-Hungarian army.

2. Until 2006, the Austrian army included the Danube Flotilla, which traditionally belonged to the engineering units of the ground forces.

3. In 2011, plans were announced for a large-scale reduction in the fleet of armored vehicles in order to reduce costs. Upon completion of decommissioning, the number of combat vehicles will decrease from 1147 to 389 units.

4. Despite its small size, the Austrian army has a large number of original samples of military equipment of its own production. The most famous are Glock pistols, the SSG69 sniper rifle, the Steyr AUG assault rifle and other small arms from Steyr Mannlicher (adopted, in particular, for use by the Russian Airborne Special Forces), light tanks "Cuirassier", BMP "Ulan", armored personnel carrier Pandur. These samples are not only used by the national armed forces, but are also actively exported.

5. One of the most famous people of our time who served in the Austrian army is Arnold Schwarzenegger, who served in tank units in 1965, during his service he managed to serve 2 months in a military prison for being AWOL and drowning a tank in a river.

Notes

1. Conscription into the army and terms of service in countries around the world
2. Thomas Nigel. SOLDIER - German army 1939-1940 (p. 1) - ModernLib.Ru
3. Austrians vote "to keep subscription"
4. Austria will reduce its fleet of military equipment
5. Rank Insignias
6. Austria will reduce the fleet of military equipment "Mechanical engineering resource. Mechanical engineering: mechanical engineering news, articles. Catalog: mechanical engineering plant and enterprises
7. Airborne Forces snipers received Austrian rifles - Military Observer

Links

• Official page of the Ministry of Defense (German)

Austria Austria in topics
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