kuk hussars

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The kuk hussars (in the Hungarian Landwehr: ku hussars ) were, alongside the dragoons and lancers, one of the troops of the cavalry of the common army and the ku landwehr in the period from 1867 to 1918.

There were no hussars in the kk Landwehr .

The Austrian monarchy, weakened by the lost war of 1866 against Prussia, had to grant Hungary practically autonomy with the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of March 15, 1867. For this reason, the Hungarian half of the empire immediately began to set up its own army, which was given the name Royal Hungarian Landwehr ("Magyar Királyi Honvédség") . The cavalry of the Hungarian Landwehr consisted of the Landwehr Hussars .

Then the Austrian half of the empire began to set up a Landwehr, which was called the Imperial and Royal Landwehr and whose cavalry components consisted of Uhlans. In addition to the two land forces, there was also the Joint Army . In Austria-Hungary there were practically three armies next to each other.

Kuk hussars around 1910

organization

The common army had 16 hussar regiments, the ku Landwehr had ten hussar regiments. Traditionally, the greatest percentage of the hussars were recruited from the Hungarian kingdom , which also included parts of today's Serbia , Romania with Transylvania and Banat , Croatia and Slovakia (so-called Upper Hungary ). The regiments were all stationed with a few exceptions there.

The kuk cavalry regiments consisted of two divisions ( battalions ) each with three squadrons

The Austro-Hungarian hussars 1914

1st class fitting master in dark blue fur
Squadron Trumpeter Hussars Rgt No. 7 in light blue Attila

The ku Honvéd Hussars

  • Budapest Honvéd Hussars Rgt 1
19th Honvéd Cavalry Brigade - 5th Honvéd Cavalry Division
Commander: Colonel Colbert Zech von Deybach Freiherr von Hart and Sulz
( Debachi Zech Colbert harti ès sulzi baró ezredes )
22nd Honvéd Cavalry Brigade - 11th Honvéd Cavalry Troop Division
Commander: Lieutenant Colonel Johann Flór
( Flór János alezredes )
22nd Honvéd Cavalry Brigade - 11th Honvéd Cavalry Troop Division
Commander: Lieutenant Colonel Árpád Cserépy von Kisruszka
( Kisruszkai Cserépy Árpád alezredes )
kuk hussars parade
I., II. Esk. 23. Honvéd Infantry Troop Division
III., IV. Esk. 20th Honvéd Infantry Troop Division
V., VI. Esk. 41st Honvéd Infantry Division
Commanding officer: Lieutenant Colonel Nikolaus Jankovich von Jeszenicze
( Jesceniczai Jankovich Miklos alezredes )
24th Honvéd Cavalry Brigade - 11th Honvéd Cavalry Troop Division
Commanding officer: Colonel Paul Hegedüs
( Hegedüs Pál ezredes )
23rd Honvéd Cavalry Brigade - 5th Honvéd Cavalry Troop Division
Commander: Lieutenant Colonel Ladislaus Forster von Szenterzsébet
( Szenterzsébeti Forster László alezredes )
23rd Honvéd Cavalry Brigade - 5th Honvéd Cavalry Troop Division
Commanding officer: Colonel Johann Graf Lubienski
( Gróf Lubienski János ezredes )
  • Pécs Honvéd Hussars Rgt 8
19th Honvéd Cavalry Brigade - 5th Honvéd Cavalry Troop Division
Commanding officer: Lieutenant Colonel Alexius Thege von Konkily
( Konkoly Thege Elek alezredes )
24th Honvéd Cavalry Brigade -1. Honvéd Cavalry Troop Division
Commander: Colonel Koloman Géczy von Garamszeg
( Garamszegi Gèczy Kálmán ezredes )
I., II. Esk. 36th Honvéd Infantry Division
III., IV. Esk. 42nd Honvéd Infantry Division
V., VI. Esk. 13th Honvéd Infantry Brigade
Commander Lieutenant Colonel Alois Hauer
( Tusker Alajos alezredes )

uniform

The kuk and ku hussars were basically adjusted in the same way .

  • shako
The shako (also czako) served as headgear for both normal service and parade . It consisted of the so-called shako stick with lid, the parasol, the chin strap, the double-headed eagle emblem, the rose, the horsehair bush and the string decoration. On the outside, the shako stick was covered with cloth in the same color as the regiment . The lid was made of black, lacquered leather in an oval shape. In the front center of the stick was the sleeve made of leather for the rose and the hair bush. At the lower edge of the stick was the shade made of leather and painted black on the outside. The starting seam was covered with calfskin. The chin strap rested on the screen. On the front of the shako was the double-headed eagle emblem, similar to that of the infantry , but with a breast shield. The breastplate was punched through with the regimental number (in Arabic numerals) and backed with black calfskin. The emblem extended to the edge of the lid or to the sleeve for the hair bush. The rose consisted of two pieces of sheet brass, pressed into a truncated cone shape and placed over a wooden core, the front 4 and the rear 3 circular ribs.
Both showed a deep midfield. At the front was the “very highest signature” (FJI for the kuk and IFJ for the ku) in the recess. A conical sleeve and a wire loop were soldered to the back. The horsehair bush was inserted into the sleeve. It was 12 cm long and black, and red for trumpeters. The horsehair was tied onto the wire loop.
Typical of the type of Hungarian uniform was the string decoration ( Vitéz Kötés , German about hero string ). It consisted of a 7 mm thick, square sheep's wool cord in yellow and black. When laid twice, the cord was a little over 34 cm long and was held together at the end with a 1.5 cm wide button; In this, two 4 cm long, double-layered, thinner cords were fastened, each of which carried a flat, round braid made of spun yellow and black sheep's wool. (Bouillons) These came to lie on the right side of the shako.
The officer's chako had a green leather lining on the inside and a border of black patent leather on the free edge. The eagle and the rose were made of gilded sheet metal. The string decoration had a 4.6 cm long acorn-shaped extension at the lower end of the round braids. One had the corresponding signature, the other an embroidered double-headed eagle emblem. The officer's chako also included a protective container made of silk-lined oilcloth.
  • Attila
Traditionally, the hussars wore the so-called Attila , which is based on the Hungarian national costume. It could be closed with five so-called olives each. The laps - consisting of two front parts and a back part - formed two folds closed by seams at the back. In the front parts of the lap there was an inclined pocket with a cord edging. Both sleeves were equipped with a slit on the edge, along the edge of which ran parallel to the edge of the sleeve, which formed a Vitéz Kötés in the middle.
The stand-up collar was made of rock cloth. The edge, the base of the collar and the free edge of the lap parts had a cord trim that formed a clover leaf in the center of the collar. The two back seams were also trimmed with cord. These two cords ended in a loop on each shoulder blade. Towards the bottom they ended in a Vitéz Kötés.
Five pairs of breast loops, made of doubled strings, formed a clover leaf at each end. On the left armpit there was an armpit loop made of doubled string with a small button the color of the olives.
On average, the officer sattila resembled those of the men, but was much more elaborately equipped. The distinctions were attached in the same way as on the tunic of the other branches of the armed forces, the trimmings of the staff officers on the sleeves had a pointed shape and had a so-called sujtás ornament .
  • Fur sattila
The fur attila, made of a skirt, was decorated with cords and florets on the outside. The material for this consisted of sheep's wool. In addition, her body and lap were trimmed with black and lined with white lambskin . In both parts of the lap there was an obliquely cut pocket decorated with cords. The cuffs had a fur trim . The stand-up collar was made of black lambskin. The lanyard was sewn to the ends of the collar and provided with a toggle on the right and a loop on the left. The approach of the collar, the fur trim and the sleeve slit were decorated with cords. The Pelzattila was closed according to the same system as the normal Attila. Officers carried black lambskin lining.
  • Boot pants
The trousers, like the rest of the cavalry, were madder red in color. Cut wide in the buttocks, the calves were tight. A Vitéz Kövés was formed by strings on both thighs. The side seams also had string decorations. A sloping pocket was let into each of the front legs. The pants could be reinforced on the seat with pants fabric of the same color.
  • Boots
The boots of the hussars were called "Tschismen" (ung. Csizma , Croat . Čizma ). In contrast to other cavalry boots, they were made more elegant. At the front with a cut-out pointing downwards, at the back with an arched cut upwards. The edge had an 8 mm wide decoration made of flat cord, at the front a rosette 2.5 cm in diameter. The flat cord and rosette consisted of pressed leather upper. Officers had a braided leather cord on the upper edge of the chisms. Golden rosettes with black heather were worn at parades.

Equalization of the Austro-Hungarian regiments

regiment Attila Olives Shako cover
8th dark blue yellow madder
3 dark blue yellow White
1 dark blue yellow dark blue
15th dark blue yellow ash gray
5 dark blue White madder
9 dark blue White White
13 dark blue White dark blue
11 dark blue White ash gray
14th light blue yellow madder
2 light blue yellow White
10 light blue yellow light blue
6th light blue yellow ash gray
4th light blue White madder
12 light blue White White
7th light blue White light blue
16 light blue White ash gray

The ku Landwehr Hussars all wore the dark blue Attila. They could only be distinguished from one another by the number on the shako. In contrast to the Austro-Hungarian hussars, the lacing was red in color and designed more simply (the chest lacing without loops at the ends - so-called straight shape) the horsehair bush was white.

Adjustment

Lieutenant
dark blue Attila
Corporal
light blue Attila
  • Parade adjustment for officers
The hussar officer had to appear on horseback with the shako, in the summer with the attila and the slung (dressed in winter) winter attila, the madder red bootie pants and the chisms with gold rosettes. The cartouche and all decorations , but the grand crosses had to be laid out without ribbons. Arming according to regulations.
On foot as described above, but the fur clothing was never allowed to be worn around the neck.
  • Parade adjustment for NCOs and men
On horseback, the hussar had to be completely equipped with shako and the attila dressed, or at the same time with a fur attila slung around his neck. The field devices were not carried. The coat had to be taken in summer only in doubtful weather, but always in rain. The horse was saddled and bridled in accordance with the regulations, pack sacks and menage bowls were not carried. The same rules applied on foot. Arming with the saber.
  • March adjustment for officers
In any case, the fur attila - dressed or slung around the neck - was taken along. the coat was always strapped to the saddle when not worn. Should it rain in summer, the coat could be exchanged for the Attila, which then had to be strapped onto the saddle instead of the coat. Additional armament was the revolver and bag. A map case made of black-brown leather and binoculars could be carried.
  • March adjustment for NCOs and men
Similar to that of the officers, but without the separate pieces of equipment. Arming according to regulations.

Armament

  • Firearms
As standard, all cavalry regiments were equipped with the Mannlicher M 1890 repeating carbine with straight-pull piston lock and box magazine for five cartridges in the center shaft. This weapon wielded the four youngest corporals, the mounted and unmounted hussars, patrol leaders and driving soldiers - with the exception of the staff cavalry and telegraph patrol crew.
Officers wielded the officer's revolver , men and officers who were not assigned a rifle carried the Gasser Army revolver M 1870/74 . This was housed in a revolver pouch made of brown upper leather with a shoulder strap.
The pouch belt was made of brown upper leather and had a length of 110 centimeters and a width of 5.3 centimeters. At the end of the buckle it had a widening that served as a base for the tinned roller buckle. The open end was tapered and had 5 pin holes. This belt was only used by the crews armed with revolvers . Because of the cartridge pouches , the strap was strapped around the body so that the clasp came to rest behind the left hip. For the riders equipped with carbines, the body strap had an additional strap that was used to fix this weapon on the body.
As a rule, the paramedics, the bandage wearers, the butchers, the clerks, the blacksmiths , the gunsmiths and the squadrons were armed with no firearms .
  • Edged weapons
The cavalry saber M 1869 was used as a saber . The officer's saber was similar to that of the men, but the handle was tied with silver-plated wire, and the basket was pierced, decorated and polished. The cavalry saber was prescribed for all officers, NCOs and men with the exception of the paramedics, butchers and driving soldiers, who wore the pioneer saber.
  • Portepee
The portepee of the cavalry officers was similar to that of the infantry officers, but had an additional push loop and was attached to the saber in the same way as the non-commissioned officers.
The sergeants wore portepees made of imperial yellow and black sheep's wool on their sabers, while cadets wore portepees made of silk.
Instead of the portepees, the teams carried saber hand straps made of red, yuchten-like leather, consisting of the hand strap with tassel and the two braided rings.

annotation

The Austrian (later Austro-Hungarian) cavalry regiment initially consisted of four, later of three divisions.

Hussars attack a Russian artillery position

A division consisted of three squadrons in a cavalry regiment . The three divisions (battalions) of the regiment were (theoretically) led by the colonel, the lieutenant colonel and the major. This is where the name comes from. (The former 4th Division was called the 2nd Majors Division.) In 1860-67 the cavalry regiments were again reduced to two divisions.

Until 1798, the regiments were named after their respective owners (who did not also have to be the commanders). There was no binding regulation of the spelling. (e.g. Count Serbelloni regiment - or Serbelloni regiment.) After 1798, the numbered designation prevailed, which could possibly be linked to the name of the owner. Due to this constant renaming, the regimental histories of the Austro-Hungarian cavalry are very difficult to follow. In addition, there is the constant and apparently arbitrary, sometimes multiple reclassification of the associations. (For example: Kuk Dragoon Regiment "Fürst zu Windisch-Graetz" No. 14 )

In 1915, all honorary names were deleted without replacement. From then on, the units were only designated with their numbers (for example "Hussar Regiment No. 1"). However, this could not be enforced in practice, on the one hand because no one adhered to it, on the other hand because the very thrifty Austro-Hungarian military administration had ordered all of them at first Use up any existing forms and stamps!

Museum reception

A variety of uniforms and weapons of the hussars from a period from the second half of the 18th century to the end of the First World War in 1918 are on display in the Vienna Army History Museum .

literature

  • Johann C. Allmayer-Beck, Erich Lessing: The Kuk Army. 1848-1914 . Bertelsmann publishing house, Munich 1974, ISBN 3-570-07287-8 .
  • Stefan Rest: The emperor's rock in the First World War . Verlag Militaria, Vienna 2002, ISBN 3-9501642-0-0
  • The Imperial and Royal Army in 1895 Writings from the Army History Museum in Vienna - Stocker Verlag, Graz 1997
  • kuk war ministry “Dislocation and division of the kuk army, kuk navy, kk landwehr and ku landwehr” in: Seidel's small army scheme - published by Seidel & Sohn Vienna 1914
  • Imperial and Royal War Ministry "Adjustment regulation for the Imperial and Royal Army, the Imperial and Royal Landwehr, the Imperial and Royal Landwehr, the affiliated institutions and the corps of military officials" Vienna 1911/1912

Web links

Commons : kuk Husaren  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. according to “Announcement of the Quartermaster's Department” of Army Group Command FM. Archduke Eugen / Q.Op. No. 665/15. Issued by the field post office 512
  2. ^ Manfried Rauchsteiner , Manfred Litscher: The Heeresgeschichtliche Museum in Vienna. Verlag Styria, Graz / Vienna 2000, ISBN 3-222-12834-0 , pp. 38, 46