Austro Hungarian Inf Regt 103

[mp409mm]

I hope that I am posting in the right section:
I am trying to find some information about "Öst-Ung infantry Regiment 103" but I can't find anything about it in on the web.
From a list I found I found that the highest number of the regiments was up 102.
Any information or links to any information regarding this regiment is very appreciated.
Alf.

[kaiserwilhelm2]

The infantry and Jäger formations therefore presented until the new reorganisation of the Spring of 1918 a relatively unclear picture. In addition to regiments with two and three battalions some had with a favourable replacement situation up to eight field battalions, of which the greater part were separated from the parent regiment and were employed with other regiments often in other parts of the front or separate theatres altogether. It was from a number of these battalions that at the end of 1917 the common army infantry regiments Nr. 103-109 were formed. Of these the regiment Nr.104 with five battalions consisted of personnel with eye infections or Trachomkranken! The employment of units of this quality was limited. Notwithstanding the above , this regiment along with IR.103 were renumbered as IR.203 and 204 in the Spring of 1918 and continued as Trachomformationen.

Meanwhile the Austro-Hungarians followed the German example by reducing the number of infantry battalions within the division and in addition the independent battalions of a regiment were to disappear. From June 1918 onwards, the infantry division was standardised with a complement of two infantry brigades each of two infantry regiments or a corresponding number of Feldjäger battalions. Each infantry regiment had from then on just three field battalions. Additionally each division raised an assault battalion or "Sturmbataillon" if one did not already exist from a company of each of the four regiments within the division or from the assault platoons of the Feldjäger battalions. In this manner, the k.u.k. infantry henceforth consisted of:

138 k.u.k. infantry regiments (Nr.1-35, 37-139)
8 Bosnian-Hercegovinian infantry regiments (Nr.1-8)
4 Kaiserjäger regiments (Nr.1-4)
32 k.u.k. Feldjäger battalions (Nr.1-32)
8 Bosnian-Hercegovinian Feldjäger battalions (Nr.1-8)
65 Assault "Sturmbataillone" (Nr.1-22, 24-60, 62, 64, 70, 74, 106, 155)
The newly raised infantry regiments Nr. 103-139 each consisted of three battalions of which the existing regiments Nr.1-102 had each each handed over one or two battalions (with the exception of Nr.36). The newly raised Bosnian-Hercegovinian formations were raised in the same manner through the handing over of troops from existing units including Feldjäger.
From this point onwards, all k.u.k. infantry regiments had only three battalions including the Bosnian and Kaiserjäger regiments. The newly raised regiments were formed from existing battalions as follows:

IR.103 from I./63, VII./63, III./85

source and more info on: http://www.austro-hungarian-army.co.uk/infdev.htm

[Alan Wilson]

Tom, thanks for listing the link. Valuable information. Mike

[mp409mm]

The infantry and Jäger formations therefore presented until the new reorganisation of the Spring of 1918 a relatively unclear picture. In addition to regiments with two and three battalions some had with a favourable replacement situation up to eight field battalions, of which the greater part were separated from the parent regiment and were employed with other regiments often in other parts of the front or separate theatres altogether. It was from a number of these battalions that at the end of 1917 the common army infantry regiments Nr. 103-109 were formed. Of these the regiment Nr.104 with five battalions consisted of personnel with eye infections or Trachomkranken! The employment of units of this quality was limited. Notwithstanding the above , this regiment along with IR.103 were renumbered as IR.203 and 204 in the Spring of 1918 and continued as Trachomformationen.

Meanwhile the Austro-Hungarians followed the German example by reducing the number of infantry battalions within the division and in addition the independent battalions of a regiment were to disappear. From June 1918 onwards, the infantry division was standardised with a complement of two infantry brigades each of two infantry regiments or a corresponding number of Feldjäger battalions. Each infantry regiment had from then on just three field battalions. Additionally each division raised an assault battalion or "Sturmbataillon" if one did not already exist from a company of each of the four regiments within the division or from the assault platoons of the Feldjäger battalions. In this manner, the k.u.k. infantry henceforth consisted of:

138 k.u.k. infantry regiments (Nr.1-35, 37-139)
8 Bosnian-Hercegovinian infantry regiments (Nr.1-8)
4 Kaiserjäger regiments (Nr.1-4)
32 k.u.k. Feldjäger battalions (Nr.1-32)
8 Bosnian-Hercegovinian Feldjäger battalions (Nr.1-8)
65 Assault "Sturmbataillone" (Nr.1-22, 24-60, 62, 64, 70, 74, 106, 155)
The newly raised infantry regiments Nr. 103-139 each consisted of three battalions of which the existing regiments Nr.1-102 had each each handed over one or two battalions (with the exception of Nr.36). The newly raised Bosnian-Hercegovinian formations were raised in the same manner through the handing over of troops from existing units including Feldjäger.
From this point onwards, all k.u.k. infantry regiments had only three battalions including the Bosnian and Kaiserjäger regiments. The newly raised regiments were formed from existing battalions as follows:

IR.103 from I./63, VII./63, III./85

source and more info on: http://www.austro-hungarian-army.co.uk/infdev.htm

WOW, that was quick and informative, I can't thank you enough.
"It was from a number of these battalions that at the end of 1917 the common army infantry regiments Nr. 103-109 were formed" If I understood correctly Nr 103 was formed after 1917, I have this EK document that it is dated Nov, 1916; is there an explanation for this, I hope that I am not misinterpretation your inforamtion.

[kaiserwilhelm2]

Interesting document. Nice to see an EK2 award document to an Austrian.

As for your question, I would have the same. I will check a couple of books on the subject of the AH Army and see if I can find some more info. Will get back to you.

[mp409mm]

Interesting document. Nice to see an EK2 award document to an Austrian.

As for your question, I would have the same. I will check a couple of books on the subject of the AH Army and see if I can find some more info. Will get back to you.

Thank you very much, I appreciate your help.
I bought this because it is for an Austrian Document, which it is not common IMO, but at this point in time I confused and worried.
Alf.

[kaiserwilhelm2]

Looked through about 10 books but did not find any useful info.

Here however is a post card from the unit in question and seems to be stamped in 1916
http://www.benl.ebay.be/itm/301019-K...MAAOSwjytaUvzT

[kaiserwilhelm2]

Also found this:

IR 103 Romanian - Magyar
by 4 Jun 16
formed: 130 IBrig-(4¼)
28 Jul 16
130 IBrig-(4)
31 Aug 16
V/IR 103 - 19 IBrig
1 Jul 17
V/IR 103 - 19 IBrig: 130 IBrig
28 Feb 18
118 IBrig-(3) former I/IR 63, VII/IR 63, III/IR 85 : V/IR 103 -145 IBrig
15 Jun 18
118 IBrig-(3) - I/IR 103 with 35 ID, III/IR 103 with 58 ID:
IV/IR - 103 Orientkorps:
V/IR 103 - 145 IBrig, with 7KD
1 Jul 18
IV/IR 103 - Orientkorps, Balkan Front
15 Oct 18
10 IBrig-(3): IV/IR 103 - Orientkorps :
V/IR 103 - 145 IBrig :
VI, VII/IR 103 - Ostarmee unm

Unit seems to have been formed on June 4, 1916

source: http://www.austrianphilately.com/dixnut/dn6g1.htm

[kaiserwilhelm2]

When your Lt was awarded the EK 2, the 103rd IR was part of the 19th Brigade, 2nd ID (commanded at the time by Generalmajor (FML.) Eduard Ritter Jemrich von der Bresche), X Korps (commanded at the time by Csanády von Békés Friedrich; FmLt-General der Infanterie; VI.1916-I.1917), 4th Armee (commanded at the time by Gen.Oberst Tersztyánszky von Nádas) all part of HeeresGruppe Linsingen.

[kaiserwilhelm2]

So I am pretty sure we can conclude the 103rd IR was in business in 1916 contrary what seems to have been written in the first source I quoted.

Also I like the look of your document - I think you have no need to worry.

[kaiserwilhelm2]

IR 103 was fighting in Russia at the time.

[mp409mm]

So I am pretty sure we can conclude the 103rd IR was in business in 1916 contrary what seems to have been written in the first source I quoted.

Also I like the look of your document - I think you have no need to worry.

Hi, I can't thank you enough for all your time and information that you managed to compile for me, without your help I would have been lost for sure.

With this information I can expand my research . Thanks
Alf

PS. I bought that postcard too.

[mp409mm]

Would I be asking too much if I ask for a translation of the postcard when I receive it.

[kaiserwilhelm2]

Would I be asking too much if I ask for a translation of the postcard when I receive it.

Not a problem and you are welcome. Enjoyed doing a bit of research.

[mp409mm]

Not a problem and you are welcome. Enjoyed doing a bit of research.

Thanks mate, this is fun.