Kaiserschützen

Mountain infantry battle-dress after 1907

The k.k. Landesschützen (literal: Imperial-Royal [k.k.] country shooters) - from January 16, 1917 Kaiserschützen (literal: Imperial rifles) - has been three regiments of Austro-Hungarian mountain infantry during the kaiserliche und königliche Monarchie (literal: k.u.k. Monarchy). As a rule, only Tyrolean and Vorarlbergen men were hired in the Landesschützen.

History

Established 19 December 1870 with ten Tyrolian Landesschützen (Territorial Infantry) battalions, there were two companies of mounted infantry added in 1872. In 1906 they were reorganized in the pattern of the Italian Alpini as pure mountain troops. Despite being territorial forces, the Kaiserschützen were used in the First World War in many theatres and took heavy losses.

Deployments 1914-1918

Galicia: Lemberg, Gródek, Przemyśl, Pilica, Limanowa Lapanow, Gorlice Tarnów, Carpathia
Serbia
Tirol, Carniola: Monte Cristallo, Monte Piano, Falzarego, Tofana, Col di Lana, Marmolada, and others

They were principally deployed in opposition to the Italian Alpini. By the date of the armistice, 4 November 1918, the second and third regiments were positioned on Zugna Torta, over Monte Corno, up to Monte Spil. The first regiment were up to the Adamello-Presanella Alps.

Military awards

Members of the Kaiserschützen have been awarded the following military decorations:

Officer Awards

5 Military Maria Theresa Orders
4 Order of the Iron Crown 2nd Class
2 military merit crosses 2nd Class
29 Leopold orders
166 Order of the Iron Crown 3rd Class
563 military merit crosses 3rd Class
427 Signum Laudis in silver
1,111 Signum Laudis in bronze
13 Golden Medal of Honor for officers
14 silver valor medals for officers

OR Awards

130 Golden Medal of Honor
2,797 Silver Medal of Valor 1st Class
9,820 Silver Medal of Valor 2nd Class
13,025 Bronze Medal of Honor