"German Jaeger transport 1914" Topic

In the list of equipment of a cavalry division there is a motor transport column but also, listed with the Jaeger Bn, is a column of 10 motor vehicles.

None of the lists I can find goes any further than this so I'd like to know …

Are these vehicles specifically for the use of the Jaeger Bn ? From the layout of the TOE I'd have said Yes but would like to find a source that confirms that.

What type/size of vehicles are they ? I think Lorries rather than cars as a French source refers to them as 'camion'.

Are they for rapid transport of some/all of the Jaeger Bn or for carrying kit/MG/ammo etc. ? From comments in other sources I'm thinking troop transport is most likely but haven't any evidence.

If intended for the transport of the Jaegers then what would their carrying capacity be ? I can't see how 10 vehicles in 1914 could lift a whole Bn so how many could they shift ?

The Divisional motor column is for supplying from railhead to forward dumps if they do the same as British and French. Can also be used for bringing up replacements ? Were they ever used to transport men (I'm thinking here of the MTC attached to Infantry Divisions).

Would the divisional vehicles not be for officers, supply and administration and possible tactical movements?

See link

and this ‌link for further info.

I remember reading that some Jager battalions had one or two companies in lorries. I'd have to search out the reference tonight when I am back at home.

MM – there were vehicles for other purposes (such as staff transport, medical & some engineer elements and signals) but the MT column was intended for ammo & 'domestic' supplies.

My understanding was that all 3 main combatants had similar organisation for MT in 1914 and tended to keep it away from the front line, possibly due to worries about reliability and providing fuel (fuel economy was very poor at that time).

The Germans providing a dedicated 'lift capability' for the Jaeger is out of step with the general ideas for MT prevailing so I was wanting some further evidence and info.

BB – 10 vehicles to transport up to 500 men in full kit would need big vehicles. A single company may be most feasible IMHO. If you have some info or a source as to what vehicles were used it would be great.

GF did you check out the links – one is from a book Imperial German Army Organisation 1914 – 1918?

If any more info is in there I have yet to spot it. It does confirm that the Jaeger MTC of 10 vehicles is for tactical troop transport but doesn't give any lift capacity or details of the vehicles from which that might be predicted.

Looked in the Cavalry section but their MTC is barely mentioned – still not sure of the size of that or any info on vehicles used. Standard 'subsidy' vehicles in the UK were 3 ton and (I think) France was similar, German subsidies were higher so their spec may also be for larger vehicles.

The Jaeger attached to German cavalry were meant to be transported by lorries (not cars, as is interpreted correctly above). In practice this was often not possible. Most Jaeger had to march but they managed to keep pace with their cavalry colleagues very well. There were a few instances (related to the Battle of the Marne) where lorries were used. Jaeger played a key role in rear guard actions in the sectors covered by HKK1 and HKK2, i.e. in the gap between the German First and Second Armies where the British were involved.

Robert

From 'Imperial German Army 1914-18: Organisation, Structure, Orders-of-Battle' by Hermann Cron:

"Only rarely during the course of the war were opportunities offered for exploiting the special advantages of the Jaeger. This was first the case at the beginning of the war, when the active Jaeger battalions had been brought up to accompany the Independent Cavalry [the equivalent of British cavalry corps]. For that task they had been specially fitted, by each being equipped with a cycle company and a motorised vehicle column for troop transport." (p. 116)

Robert

Unfortunately no further details are given – and it is those extra details that I'm looking for now.

What was the capacity of the 10 vehicle MTC of the Jaegers ?

Some examples of the vehicles used ?

I'm working on guesswork at the moment but would like to have those guesses either confirmed or shot down.

Thanks for the help getting this far – now confirmed what the MTC is intended for and that it fitted with a particular tactical plan that was definitely used – and some examples found.

All I need now is Pendraken to make some appropriate cyclists in 10mm !!!