"Austro-Hungarian Assault Formations during World War I" Topic

"When the Austro-Hungarian army entered the war in July/August 1914, the units used the same battlefield tactics they had practiced during their peacetime manoeuvres. Based on the experiences of the Franco-Prussian war of 1870/71, the army's spirit was aimed at an offensive character. All tactical manuals were influenced by this spirit, always pointing at the assault or attack as the best solution in a tactical situation. Mainly the infantry, meant to be strong enough to take any objective, even without the support of artillery or cavalry, should do these attacks.

The big campaigns during summer and autumn 1914 in the northeast and southeast had been led in exactly that way. For the single regiment or battalion this kind of warfare meant always rushing forwards in the direction of estimated enemy positions. When the enemy's position was identified, he should be attacked immediately, even off the march without preparation. This type of attack was called "recontre". At the beginning the Austro-Hungarian (AH) forces did not realize that the Serbs and especially the Russians secured their main positions with strong outposts. During the fighting these outposts were mainly defeated and retreated. For the Austrians, this looked like victory and the units started to follow up. When they reached the main enemy position, the Austrian units were often in total disorder and suddenly confronted with heavy machine gun and artillery fire. Now the support of own artillery would have been needed, but the "new" objective was mostly out of range. So the artillery started to move forward and changed position in exactly that moment, when the suffering attacking infantry needed shrapnel or shellfire most…"
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Amicalement
Armand

Shocking that they had such massive losses that first year, especially in officers.

Agree!

Amicalement
Armand

A-H assault units, contrary to their German or Italian counterparts, were never used in large formations. Usually a single squad (or rarely an entire platoon) was attached to a regular infantry company. They were quite effective though.

Thanks!.

Amicalement
Armand