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The Austro-Hungarian Army in the Ottoman
Empire 1914-18
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Figure 1
Artilleryman
9. Mototmörserbatterie
Gallipoli 1916 |
Figure 2
Artilleryman
9. Mototmörserbatterie
Gallipoli 1916 |
Figure 3
Driver
2. Autokolonne Türkei
Palestine 1916 |
Figure 4
Artilleryman
Gebirgshaubitzdivision von Marno
Palestine 1916 |
Figure 5
Artilleryman
Oreintkorps
1918 |
Uniforms of the Austro-Hungarian Army on
Ottoman Fronts in the First World War
The Austro-Hungarian troops that served at Gallipoli and in Palestine mostly wore the same 1908 pike grey
uniform (gradually replaced by field grey from 1916 onwards) as worn by Austro-Hungarian
troops in Europe. This consisted of a grey peaked cap held at the front
by two brass buttons above which was a Habsburg cockade in yellow and
black. The peak of the cap was in black leather. A contemporary
illustration shows a form of neck shade added to the cap, although no
photographic evidence for its wearing has yet been found. Officers wore a shako
of similar shape to the peaked cap also with a black leather peak and Hapsburg cockade.
The grey tunic had a stand and fall collar, a concealed front, and four
patch pockets, the buttons of which were also concealed. The pocket
flaps were scalloped with three points. Different regiments or arm of
service were denoted by coloured collar patches, and rank was also
displayed on the collar in the form of metallic lace and stars. In late
1916 these collar patches were abbreviated to small vertical strips
on the collar and rank insignia was worn in dull coloured lace. Shoulder
straps were plain pike grey with the right hand one having a roll at the
end to help keep the rifle strap in position when marching. Officers (and
some other ranks) had no shoulder straps. Grey
trousers were worn with brown leather boots. Field grey puttees were
introduced for most troops by 1916. In cold weather, other ranks wore
double breasted pike grey greatcoats while officers usually wore double breasted
jackets with fur collars.
Unlike some German officers and other ranks serving in Ottoman units,
Austro-Hungarian troops did not wear Ottoman uniforms.
In 1916 the first Austro-Hungarian khaki tropical uniforms were issued to the Von Marno
Mountain Howitzer Division ("Gebirgshaubitzdivision von Marno") which was sent to support the Ottoman army in Palestine
and later to other Austro-Hungarian units. It was based
closely on the 1908 pike grey uniform in its cut and style, with
concealed buttons and three pointed pocket flaps. The Austro-Hungarian
tropical helmet was lower and had a rounder brim than the German one,
with a Hapsburg cockade in black/gold/black on the front. It could be
worn with or without a detachable neck shade. Peter Jung describes a
khaki peaked cap (similar in shape to the pike grey version) being worn
but so far I have found no photographic proof. New tropical tunics
issued from late 1916 had six visible buttons down the front as opposed
to the concealed front of previous tunics.
Recommended Reading -
"Austro-Hungarian Forces in World War 1 (Parts 1 & 2)" by Peter Jung
(published by
Osprey)
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Figure1 is based on
a photograph of an Austro-Hungarian Artillerymen of the 9.
Mototmörserbatterie taken on the Gallipoli Front in
1916. The first assistance from Austro-Hungary to Turkey came in the form of two
heavy artillery batteries to support the defence of the Gallipoli peninsular
after the allied landings. The troops from these batteries were dressed in the standard
Austro-Hungarian pike grey uniform as worn on European fronts (and described
above). This artilleryman wears the pike grey peaked cap (see right to compare
the other ranks cap with the officers shako), and grey
tunic. Note the rolled end to the shoulder strap to help keep the rifle strap in
position when marching. His collar patches are scarlet for artillery. His
trousers and puttees of are of the noticeably darker field grey shade.
Figure 2 is based on
a photograph of an Austro-Hungarian Artillerymen of the "9. Mototmörserbatterie" also taken on the
Gallipoli Front in 1916. He wears the same uniform as the previous figure but
with a double breasted pike grey greatcoat over the top. Despite Turkey's
deserved reputation as an idyllic summer resort the nights and winters could be
very cold. Both Austro-Hungarian and German troops are often seen in photographs
wearing their
European issue greatcoats. He also wears a pair of Austro-Hungarian sloped
ammunition pouches (see right).
Figure 3 is based on a photograph of an
Austro-Hungarian Transport Driver of the the "2.
Autokolonne Türkei" taken in Diarbekhir, Palestine in 1916. As well as artillery,
Austria-Hungary assisted the Ottoman army with much needed motorized transport.
He wears the early pattern khaki tropical uniform with three-pointed pockets and
a concealed front. The arm of service patches on his collar are in light blue
for transport troops. His tropical helmet does not appear to have the usual
Hapsburg cockade.
Figure 4 is based on a photograph of an
Austro-Hungarian Artilleryman of the the "Gebirgshaubitzdivision von Marno"
taken during the unit's arrival in Jerusalem, Palestine in 1916. He
also wears the early pattern khaki tropical uniform but with scarlet arm of
service collar patches for artillery. His tropical helmet has a yellow and black
Hapsburg cockade on the front. He carries a rucksack with the rigid frame
removed. |
Austro-Hungarian Other Ranks and Officers Caps
Brussels Army Museum Collection
Austro-Hungarian Ammunition Pouches
Brussels Army Museum Collection |
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Figure 5 is based on a photograph of an
Austro-Hungarian Artilleryman NCO of the the "Oreintkorps"
taken in 1918. The original photograph is a posed studio shot and
may have been taken before the unit's partial deployment to Palestine. He wears
a tropical helmet without the Hapsburg cockade but with the removable khaki
neckshade tied across the front of the helmet. His tunic is the later pattern
tropical tunic with six fastening buttons down the front and single-pointed
buttons. Note that the arm of service patches (in this case scarlet for
artillery) are reduced to short vertical strips on the collar. He wears khaki
riding breeches reinforced on the inner leg and brown leather gaiters and short
boots.
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