High mountain companies

High mountain company joined

The high mountain companies were part of the Austro-Hungarian Land Forces during the First World War .

The high mountain companies were among the most highly decorated units of the Austro-Hungarian armed forces. Several relatives were awarded the Military Maria Theresa Order , including Lieutenant Peter Scheider from HgbKp 17 for conquering the Monticello ridge on the Tonale Pass (together with HgbKp 28 under Lieutenant Toni Kaaserer) in the summer of 1918 during the company Avalanche .

Monticello degree

history

Since normal troops could not be used to solve reconnaissance and combat tasks in the high mountains, alpine patrol companies were set up from 1916 onwards , which were renamed high mountain companies in 1917 . The members of these companies were composed of all ethnic groups in the monarchy . They had alpine experience for reasons of the national team or as alpine tourists in the pre-war period and were specially trained for war in the high mountains. The specially selected and equipped with alpine equipment officers and men of the high mountain companies should be able (and were) to overcome terrain obstacles even in the most difficult terrain.

assignment

The task of the technical swarm was to secure and maintain climbing systems in high alpine terrain and to make supply routes passable. For this they were equipped with wire ropes, rope ladders, iron rungs and other equipment.

organization

A high mountain company was divided into a company command, three platoons and a machine-gun platoon with two 07/12 machine guns , three to four mountain guide patrols, two telephone patrols and a technical swarm.

The personnel replacement took place from the troops available in the respective army area. The reserve battalion from which the majority of the crew of the individual companies came was designated as the reserve troop body, which could consequently be those of the Common Army as well as the Imperial and Royal Landwehr .

equipment

Personal mountain equipment a member of the high mountain companies consisted of: backpack , mountain floor, snow tires, snow goggles, climbing boots, Krötteln ( Grödeln ), and in accordance with regulations of 1918 for the equipment and clothing in mountain warfare: a pair of ten-pointed crampons , full ski equipment , avalanche cord , a pair Shoe covers, a pair of over mittens, a windbreaker , wind pants and a snowsuit or - if there is no one - a snow coat.

literature

Austria's Armed Forces "Troop Service" Volume 292 Issue 4/2006