The Alpenkorps was a provisional mountain formation of division size formed by the Imperial German Army during World War I. It was considered by the Allies to be one of the best in the German Army.[1]
After experiencing considerable difficulties in fighting the French Chasseurs Alpins in the Vosges Mountains during the Battle of the Frontiers, the German Army determined to create its own specialized mountain units. The Royal Bavarian 1st and 2nd Snowshoe Battalions (Kgl. Bayerisches Schneeschuhbataillon I & II) were formed in Munich, Bavaria on November 21, 1914. A third battalion was formed in April 1915 from the 4th, 5th and 6th companies of the second battalion. In May 1915, the three battalions were brought together with a fourth (formed from troops of the other battalions and Bavarian Landwehr troops) to form the 3rd Jäger Regiment (Jäger Regiment Nr. 3). In October 1915, the designation Schneeschuhbataillon was eliminated.[2]
Also in May 1915, the previously separate Bavarian 1st, 2nd and 2nd Reserve Jäger Battalions were joined to form the Royal Bavarian 1st Jäger Regiment (Kgl. Bayer. Jäger Regiment Nr. 1). The Prussian 10th, 10th Reserve and 14th Reserve Jäger Battalions were also joined together, forming the 2nd Jäger Regiment (Jäger Regiment Nr. 2).[3]
These units, along with the elite Royal Bavarian Infantry Lifeguards Regiment (Infanterie-Leib-Regiment), the Bavarian Army bodyguard regiment, became the core of the Alpenkorps, and were complemented with additional artillery, machinegun and other support units. The Alpenkorps was officially founded on May 18, 1915, with Bavarian GeneralleutnantKonrad Krafft von Dellmensingen as its commander, and Bavarian Generalmajor Ludwig Ritter von Tutschek and Prussian GeneralmajorErnst von Below as his brigade commanders.
Order of battle
May 27, 1915
Kgl. Bayerische Jäger-Brigade 1:
Kgl. Bayerisches 1. Jäger-Regiment
1. Kgl. Bayerisches Jäger-Bataillon König
2. Kgl. Bayerisches Jäger-Bataillon
Kgl. Bayerisches Reserve-Jäger-Bataillon Nr. 2
Kgl. Bayerisches Infanterie-Leib-Regiment
Kgl. Bayerische Jäger-Brigade 2:
Jäger-Regiment Nr. 2
Jäger-Bataillon Nr. 10
Reserve-Jäger-Bataillon Nr. 10
Reserve-Jäger-Bataillon Nr. 14
Jäger-Regiment Nr. 3
I./Jäger-Regiment Nr. 3 (Kgl. Bayerisches Schneeschuhbataillon I)
II./Jäger-Regiment Nr. 3 (Schneeschuhbataillon II)
III./Jäger-Regiment Nr. 3 (Schneeschuhbataillon III)
IV./Jäger-Regiment Nr. 3 (Kgl. Bayerisches Schneeschuhbataillon IV)
Gebirgs-MG-Abteilungen Nr. 201-210 (206-209 were Bavarian)
Reserve-MG-Abteilung Nr. 4
3.Eskadron/Kgl. Bayerisches 4. Chevauleger-Regiment König
Gebirgs-Artillerie-Abteilung Nr. 1
Kgl. Bayerische Gebirgs-Artillerie-Abteilung Nr. 2
Feldartillerie-Abteilung Nr. 203
Feldartillerie-Abteilung Nr. 204
Fußartillerie-Batterie Nr. 101
Fußartillerie-Batterie Nr. 102
Pionier-Kompanie Nr. 101
Kgl. Bayerische Pionier-Kompanie Nr. 102
Kgl. Bayerische Gebirgs-Minenwerfer-Abteilung Nr. 269
Gebirgs-Minenwerfer-Abteilung Nr. 270
August 17, 1918
1. Kgl. Bayerische Jäger-Brigade:
Kgl. Bayerisches Infanterie-Leibregiment
Kgl. Bayerisches 1. Jäger-Regiment
Jäger-Regiment Nr. 2
MG-Scharfschützen-Abteilung Nr. 24
Gebirgs-MG-Abteilung Nr. 204
Gebirgs-MG-Abteilung Nr. 205
3.Eskadron/Kgl. Bayerisches 4. Chevauleger-Regiment König
Kgl. Bayerischer Artillerie-Kommandeur 7:
Feldartillerie-Regiment Nr. 204
Gebirgs-Artillerie-Abteilung Nr. 6
I./Kgl. Bayerisches Reserve-Fußartillerie-Regiment Nr. 1
Although Germany and Italy were not at war until 1916, the Alpenkorps was immediately dispatched to reinforce the thinly occupied front line in the Dolomite mountains. It did not undertake offensive actions, but defended the front against repeated attacks by the Italian Alpini until Austria-Hungary was able to extract enough forces from the eastern war theatre and relocate them to the new front. The unit had an air arm, which was FFA 9, flying Pfalz Parasol aircraft.[4] After four months, the Alpenkorps returned briefly to the Western Front, as now the Austro-Hungarian defenders were sufficient in numbers and entrenched enough to hold the front on their own. The Austro-Hungarian Kaiserschützen honored the men of the Alpenkorps by awarding them their unit insignia: the Edelweiss.
Serbia
After only a week in France and the Dolomites, the Alpenkorps was sent to fight in the Serbian Campaign.
Verdun
Plaque on a monument erected in Azannes August 1916
Plaque of the Alpenkorps in the Red Tower Pass at Verestorony, 1916
The Alpenkorps returned to France in March 1916. After a short respite, it entered into the Battle of Verdun in June 1916. The regiments of the Alpenkorps lost over 70% of their strength in the fighting around Fort Vaux and Fleury. After leaving the line, the regiments were reconstituted, and in mid-July 1916 the 3rd Jäger Regiment was transferred from the division. The 2nd Brigade headquarters was eliminated and the Alpenkorps became a triangular division with 1st Brigade controlling the other two Jäger regiments and the Infanterie-Leib-Regiment.
Romania
Romania entered the war on the side of the Entente on August 27, 1916. In September, the Alpenkorps was dispatched to fight in the Romanian Campaign. The Infanterie-Leib-Regiment suffered a number of losses in the mountain fighting in Romania, including one of its most prominent members, Prince Heinrich of Bavaria, a major and battalion commander. The Alpenkorps remained in Romania until April 1917 and then again returned to the Western Front. In August 1917, the Alpenkorps returned to Romania and participated in the final battles there in the wake of the Kerensky Offensive.
Caporetto
In September 1917, the Alpenkorps was sent once more to the Italian Front to reinforce the Austro-Hungarian Army for the upcoming 12th Battle of the Isonzo. By this point, the Royal Württemberg mountain battalion ("Königlich Württembergisches Gebirgsbataillon") had been attached to the division, and one of its members, the later-GeneralfeldmarschallErwin Rommel, would distinguish himself at Caporetto in November. Another company commander who distinguished himself at Caporetto, the Infanterie-Leib-Regiment's Ferdinand Schörner, would also rise to Field Marshal in World War II.
France
The Alpenkorps returned to the Western Front in 1918. It participated in the Battle of the Lys in April and fought in the Battle of Picardy in the Hundred Days Offensive. In October, it returned to the Balkans, where it was at the time of the Armistice.
Traditions
The Alpenkorps was dissolved after the end of hostilities, but the traditions of its constituent regular units were carried on in the Reichswehr and then the Wehrmacht. The Edelweiss became the symbol of the German Gebirgsjäger. Although the Bundeswehr does not formally carry the traditions of any pre-1945 units, the Gebirgsjäger continued to wear the Edelweiss cap badge and informally maintain the traditions of the Alpenkorps.
^Histories of Two Hundred and Fifty-One Divisions of the German Army which Participated in the War (1914-1918), compiled from records of Intelligence section of the General Staff, American Expeditionary Forces, at General Headquarters, Chaumont, France 1919, (1920)
^Hartwig Busche, Formationsgeschichte der deutschen Infanterie im Ersten Weltkrieg 1914-1918 (1998)
Cron, Hermann (1937). Geschichte des deutschen Heeres im Weltkriege 1914–1918. Berlin.
Histories of Two Hundred and Fifty-One Divisions of the German Army which Participated in the War (1914–1918). compiled from records of Intelligence section of the General Staff, American Expeditionary Forces, at General Headquarters, Chaumont, France 1919. 1920.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
Busche, Hartwig (1998). Formationsgeschichte der deutschen Infanterie im Ersten Weltkrieg 1914–1918.
Bayerisches Kriegsarchiv, ed. (1923). Die Bayern im großen Krieg (2nd ed.).
February 01, 2023
alpenkorps, german, empire, alpenkorps, provisional, mountain, formation, division, size, formed, imperial, german, army, during, world, considered, allies, best, german, army, alpenkorps, alpine, corps, active1914, 1919countrygerman, empirebrancharmytypemount. The Alpenkorps was a provisional mountain formation of division size formed by the Imperial German Army during World War I It was considered by the Allies to be one of the best in the German Army 1 Alpenkorps Alpine Corps Active1914 1919CountryGerman EmpireBranchArmyTypeMountain infantrySizeApprox 15 000EngagementsWorld War I Serbian Campaign Battle of Verdun Romanian Campaign Battle of Caporetto Battle of the Lys Hundred Days OffensiveCommandersNotablecommandersKonrad Krafft von Dellmensingen Ludwig Ritter von Tutschek Contents 1 Formation 2 Order of battle 2 1 May 27 1915 2 2 August 17 1918 3 Operations 3 1 First campaigns in the Dolomites and France 3 2 Serbia 3 3 Verdun 3 4 Romania 3 5 Caporetto 3 6 France 4 Traditions 5 Notable members of the Alpenkorps 6 Notes 7 References 8 External linksFormation EditAfter experiencing considerable difficulties in fighting the French Chasseurs Alpins in the Vosges Mountains during the Battle of the Frontiers the German Army determined to create its own specialized mountain units The Royal Bavarian 1st and 2nd Snowshoe Battalions Kgl Bayerisches Schneeschuhbataillon I amp II were formed in Munich Bavaria on November 21 1914 A third battalion was formed in April 1915 from the 4th 5th and 6th companies of the second battalion In May 1915 the three battalions were brought together with a fourth formed from troops of the other battalions and Bavarian Landwehr troops to form the 3rd Jager Regiment Jager Regiment Nr 3 In October 1915 the designation Schneeschuhbataillon was eliminated 2 Also in May 1915 the previously separate Bavarian 1st 2nd and 2nd Reserve Jager Battalions were joined to form the Royal Bavarian 1st Jager Regiment Kgl Bayer Jager Regiment Nr 1 The Prussian 10th 10th Reserve and 14th Reserve Jager Battalions were also joined together forming the 2nd Jager Regiment Jager Regiment Nr 2 3 These units along with the elite Royal Bavarian Infantry Lifeguards Regiment Infanterie Leib Regiment the Bavarian Army bodyguard regiment became the core of the Alpenkorps and were complemented with additional artillery machinegun and other support units The Alpenkorps was officially founded on May 18 1915 with Bavarian Generalleutnant Konrad Krafft von Dellmensingen as its commander and Bavarian Generalmajor Ludwig Ritter von Tutschek and Prussian Generalmajor Ernst von Below as his brigade commanders Order of battle EditMay 27 1915 Edit Kgl Bayerische Jager Brigade 1 Kgl Bayerisches 1 Jager Regiment 1 Kgl Bayerisches Jager Bataillon Konig 2 Kgl Bayerisches Jager Bataillon Kgl Bayerisches Reserve Jager Bataillon Nr 2 Kgl Bayerisches Infanterie Leib Regiment Kgl Bayerische Jager Brigade 2 Jager Regiment Nr 2 Jager Bataillon Nr 10 Reserve Jager Bataillon Nr 10 Reserve Jager Bataillon Nr 14 Jager Regiment Nr 3 I Jager Regiment Nr 3 Kgl Bayerisches Schneeschuhbataillon I II Jager Regiment Nr 3 Schneeschuhbataillon II III Jager Regiment Nr 3 Schneeschuhbataillon III IV Jager Regiment Nr 3 Kgl Bayerisches Schneeschuhbataillon IV Gebirgs MG Abteilungen Nr 201 210 206 209 were Bavarian Reserve MG Abteilung Nr 4 3 Eskadron Kgl Bayerisches 4 Chevauleger Regiment Konig Gebirgs Artillerie Abteilung Nr 1 Kgl Bayerische Gebirgs Artillerie Abteilung Nr 2 Feldartillerie Abteilung Nr 203 Feldartillerie Abteilung Nr 204 Fussartillerie Batterie Nr 101 Fussartillerie Batterie Nr 102 Pionier Kompanie Nr 101 Kgl Bayerische Pionier Kompanie Nr 102 Kgl Bayerische Gebirgs Minenwerfer Abteilung Nr 269 Gebirgs Minenwerfer Abteilung Nr 270August 17 1918 Edit 1 Kgl Bayerische Jager Brigade Kgl Bayerisches Infanterie Leibregiment Kgl Bayerisches 1 Jager Regiment Jager Regiment Nr 2 MG Scharfschutzen Abteilung Nr 24 Gebirgs MG Abteilung Nr 204 Gebirgs MG Abteilung Nr 205 3 Eskadron Kgl Bayerisches 4 Chevauleger Regiment Konig Kgl Bayerischer Artillerie Kommandeur 7 Feldartillerie Regiment Nr 204 Gebirgs Artillerie Abteilung Nr 6 I Kgl Bayerisches Reserve Fussartillerie Regiment Nr 1 Stab Kgl Bayerisches 9 Pionier Bataillon Kgl Bayerische Pionier Kompanie Nr 102 Pionier Kompanie Nr 283 Gebirgs Minenwerfer Kompanie Nr 175 Divisions Nachrichten Kommandeur 622 Edelweiss insigniaOperations EditFirst campaigns in the Dolomites and France Edit Although Germany and Italy were not at war until 1916 the Alpenkorps was immediately dispatched to reinforce the thinly occupied front line in the Dolomite mountains It did not undertake offensive actions but defended the front against repeated attacks by the Italian Alpini until Austria Hungary was able to extract enough forces from the eastern war theatre and relocate them to the new front The unit had an air arm which was FFA 9 flying Pfalz Parasol aircraft 4 After four months the Alpenkorps returned briefly to the Western Front as now the Austro Hungarian defenders were sufficient in numbers and entrenched enough to hold the front on their own The Austro Hungarian Kaiserschutzen honored the men of the Alpenkorps by awarding them their unit insignia the Edelweiss Serbia Edit After only a week in France and the Dolomites the Alpenkorps was sent to fight in the Serbian Campaign Verdun Edit Plaque on a monument erected in Azannes August 1916 Plaque of the Alpenkorps in the Red Tower Pass at Verestorony 1916 The Alpenkorps returned to France in March 1916 After a short respite it entered into the Battle of Verdun in June 1916 The regiments of the Alpenkorps lost over 70 of their strength in the fighting around Fort Vaux and Fleury After leaving the line the regiments were reconstituted and in mid July 1916 the 3rd Jager Regiment was transferred from the division The 2nd Brigade headquarters was eliminated and the Alpenkorps became a triangular division with 1st Brigade controlling the other two Jager regiments and the Infanterie Leib Regiment Romania Edit Romania entered the war on the side of the Entente on August 27 1916 In September the Alpenkorps was dispatched to fight in the Romanian Campaign The Infanterie Leib Regiment suffered a number of losses in the mountain fighting in Romania including one of its most prominent members Prince Heinrich of Bavaria a major and battalion commander The Alpenkorps remained in Romania until April 1917 and then again returned to the Western Front In August 1917 the Alpenkorps returned to Romania and participated in the final battles there in the wake of the Kerensky Offensive Caporetto Edit In September 1917 the Alpenkorps was sent once more to the Italian Front to reinforce the Austro Hungarian Army for the upcoming 12th Battle of the Isonzo By this point the Royal Wurttemberg mountain battalion Koniglich Wurttembergisches Gebirgsbataillon had been attached to the division and one of its members the later Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel would distinguish himself at Caporetto in November Another company commander who distinguished himself at Caporetto the Infanterie Leib Regiment s Ferdinand Schorner would also rise to Field Marshal in World War II France Edit The Alpenkorps returned to the Western Front in 1918 It participated in the Battle of the Lys in April and fought in the Battle of Picardy in the Hundred Days Offensive In October it returned to the Balkans where it was at the time of the Armistice Traditions EditThe Alpenkorps was dissolved after the end of hostilities but the traditions of its constituent regular units were carried on in the Reichswehr and then the Wehrmacht The Edelweiss became the symbol of the German Gebirgsjager Although the Bundeswehr does not formally carry the traditions of any pre 1945 units the Gebirgsjager continued to wear the Edelweiss cap badge and informally maintain the traditions of the Alpenkorps Notable members of the Alpenkorps EditHermann Balck Otto von Below Franz Ritter von Epp Prince Heinrich of Bavaria Konrad Krafft von Dellmensingen Erich Lowenhardt Friedrich Paulus Erwin Rommel Ferdinand SchornerNotes Edit Histories of Two Hundred and Fifty One Divisions of the German Army which Participated in the War 1914 1918 compiled from records of Intelligence section of the General Staff American Expeditionary Forces at General Headquarters Chaumont France 1919 1920 Hartwig Busche Formationsgeschichte der deutschen Infanterie im Ersten Weltkrieg 1914 1918 1998 Busche Formationsgeschichte van Wyngarden G 2006 Early German Aces of World War I Osprey Publishing p 22 ISBN 1 84176 997 5 References EditVoigt Immanuel 2015 The Alpine Corps on the Dolomite Front 1915 Myth and Reality Bozen External links EditHistories of two hundred and fifty one divisions of the German army which participated in the war 1914 1918 p 8 12 ISBN 978 88 6839 144 7 Deutsches Alpenkorps at 1914 18 info Cron Hermann 1937 Geschichte des deutschen Heeres im Weltkriege 1914 1918 Berlin Histories of Two Hundred and Fifty One Divisions of the German Army which Participated in the War 1914 1918 compiled from records of Intelligence section of the General Staff American Expeditionary Forces at General Headquarters Chaumont France 1919 1920 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a CS1 maint others link Busche Hartwig 1998 Formationsgeschichte der deutschen Infanterie im Ersten Weltkrieg 1914 1918 Bayerisches Kriegsarchiv ed 1923 Die Bayern im grossen Krieg 2nd ed Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Alpenkorps German Empire amp oldid 1114238506, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
