The Austro-Hungarian Army
in the Ottoman Empire 1915-18

Figure 1
Artilleryman
9. Mototmörserbatterie
Gallipoli 1916
Figure 2
Artilleryman
9. Mototmörserbatterie
Gallipoli 1916
Figure 3
Driver
2. Autokolonne Türkei
Anatolia 1916
Figure 4
Artilleryman
Gebirgshaubitzdivision von Marno
Palestine 1916
Figure 5
Artilleryman
Orientkorps
1918

Uniforms of the Austro-Hungarian Army on Ottoman Fronts in the First World War

Pike Grey Uniforms
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.

Headdress consisted of a grey peaked cap (see below right) 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 was added to the cap when worn in the hot climate of Gallipoli, although no photographic evidence for it has yet been found. Officers wore a rigid 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. Equipment was in brown leather.

Unlike some German officers and other ranks serving in Ottoman units, Austro-Hungarian troops do not seem from period photographs to have worn Ottoman army uniforms.

Khaki 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. New tropical tunics issued from late 1916 had six visible buttons down the front as opposed to the concealed front of previous tunics.

The Austro-Hungarian tropical helmet was lower and had a smaller brim than the German Bortfeldt helmet. Peter Jung describes some helmets as having a Hapsburg cockade in black/gold/black on the front, although photographs of a surviving helmet shows it with a simple "K" monogram for Emperor Karl (see below right). It is probable that several variations existed, also confused by officers possibly wearing privately tailored helmets. The helmets could be worn with or without a detachable neck shade. 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 of its use.

Recommended Reading - "Austro-Hungarian Forces in World War 1 (Parts 1 & 2)" by Peter Jung (published by Osprey)

The Illustrations

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 distinctively sloped Austro-Hungarian ammunition pouches (see right). The slope of the pouch matched that of the cartridge clip for the Mannlicher rifle.

Figure 3 is based on a photograph of an Austro-Hungarian Transport Driver of the the "2. Autokolonne Türkei" taken in Diarbekhir, Anatolia in 1916. As well as artillery, Austria-Hungary assisted the Ottoman army with much needed motorized transport. This driver 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 a badge on the front.

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 (see right) has a badge on the front, consisting either of a yellow and black Hapsburg cockade or the Imperial and Royal monogram, "K". He carries a rucksack with the rigid frame removed.

Figure 5 is based on a photograph of an Austro-Hungarian Artilleryman NCO of the the "Orientkorps" 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 cockade or badge 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.


Austro-Hungarian Other Ranks
and Officers Caps
Belgian Army Museum Collection


Austro-Hungarian Pike Grey Uniforms
Austrian Army Museum Collection


Austro-Hungarian Ammunition Pouches
Belgian Army Museum Collection


Austro-Hungarian Tropical Helmet
(See Austro-Hungarian Tropical Helmet Page)
Photo © Peter Suciu


Austro-Hungarian Tropical Helmet
Austrian Army Museum Collection


Austro-Hungarian Officers Tropical Helmet
Austrian Army Museum Collection

   
 

Period Photographs

 
     
 

 
  Ahmed İzzet Pasha, the Ottoman commander on the Caucasian Front with Austro-Hungarian army officers in their pike grey uniforms. Note the typically Austrian three pointed pocket flaps and their rank insignia shown as a number of metal stars on their arm of service or regimental coloured collar patches.

Photograph originally from WikiCommons

 
     
   
  Austro-Hungarian officers riding into Jerusalem in 1916 wearing the khaki tropical uniform. The leading rider can be seen to be a Major from the single star and wide lace on his collar patch. He may well be Major Adolf Marno von Eichenhorst, the commander of the "k.u.k. Gebirgshaubitzdivision von Marno". He wears a tropical helmet while the two officers behind him are both wearing the officer's kepi. The first two riders are wearing medals on their left breasts, both with their ribbons folded into triangles as was typical of Austrian medals.

Photograph originally from the American Colony Photo Department / WikiCommons

 
     
   
  Austro-Hungarian troops marching into Jerusalem in 1916 wearing the khaki tropical uniform and tropical helmet. Note the cockade (or monogram badge) clearly seen on the tropical helmets, typically Austrian three pointed pocket flaps, the swords carried by the officers in the front row and again their triangular medal ribbons.

Photograph originally from the American Colony Photo Department / WikiCommons

 
     
   
  Austro-Hungarian troops marching into Jerusalem in 1916 wearing the khaki tropical uniform and tropical helmet. Note the Austrian rucksacks without internal frames and the mounted officer in the foreground.

Photograph originally from the American Colony Photo Department / WikiCommons

 
     
   
  Austro-Hungarian troops in Jerusalem in 1916 wearing the khaki tropical uniform and tropical helmet. Again note the officers carrying swords on the left and the Austrian rucksacks without internal frames.

Photograph originally from the American Colony Photo Department / WikiCommons

 
     
   
  Austro-Hungarian troops marching in Jerusalem in 1916. It is difficult to be sure from thius black and white photograph if they are wearing the khaki tropical uniform or the European pike grey uniform. The tropical helmet is not worn in this photograph, instead the troops are wearing peaked field caps (which usually came in pike grey, although Jung describes khaki caps also being worn). Again note the Austrian rucksacks, seen more clearly here and the officer carrying a sword.

Photograph originally from the American Colony Photo Department / WikiCommons

 
     
   
  Jamal Pasha II inspecting Austro-Hungarian troops in Jerusalem in 1916. Again the troops are wearing the peaked cap, and again it is difficult to tell if they are wearing pike grey or khaki uniforms.

Photograph originally from the American Colony Photo Department / WikiCommons

 

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