WW I information (1 Viewer)

[Combat]

I recently purchased a WWI soldier that was adverised as a member of the
"2nd Carpathian Division." The uniform is greenish gray. I have not been able to find any basic information on that particular unit, including nationality or which side they fought on. I believe the WWII "Carpathian" units were Polish soldiers that fought, for example, at Cassino. Any info on the WWI unit would be appreciated.

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Combat,

Can you post a picture or give a detailed description of the uniform look of the hat or helmut. I am looking into this and am fairly sure I have seen a reference to this Division as a member of the Austro-Hungarian Empires Forces. More soon.

Dave

 

[Combat]

Thanks Dave. A photo may be beyond my tech capabilties but may give it a try later. The figure is wearing a standard cap with visor. There is a green band around the middle of the cap and the top is more grayish. In the middle front of the cap is a black circle with red dot. The figure is also wearing an iron cross on the lower left side. He is carrying a sidearm, dagger, and steel helmut. The helmut looks germanish with two small bolts sticking out of the upper right and left hand sides. I think you are probably right about Austro-Hungarian. This is a St. Petersburg figure #4084.1 - but no info has been forthcoming from them.

 

[DMNamiot]

In my digging for an order of battle for the Austro-Hungarian Empire I have been able to dig up a lot of info but I havent found a solid hit for this unit, the uniform description tells me a lot and I think my gut is right on this but there is also the possiblity that it is a Rumanian Unit. So I will keep looking and let you know soon. I will also look into the St Petersburg make and see if I can ID this one for you. Dont give up yet.

Dave

 

[Leadmen]

My May-June issue of Military Miniature Society of Illinois, has a story and uniform details on Austria- Hungary uniforms in 1914 and one describes the Carparthian infantry man. They fought against the Russians in the east. They wore dark grey overcoats and tight dark grey trousers tucked into high black shoes. Also wore dark grey gloves and hood with a wool or felt hats. Also wore Russian style fur or sheepskin caps.They carried a brown canvass haversack over the right shoulder. Leadmen

 

[Combat]

Thansk for the info Leadman. I am fairly confident now that it is a Austro-Hungarian figure. Just not sure of the nationality.

 

[Leadmen]

The article said in WWl Hungary- Austria had 49 Divisions of infantry comprising 102 line regiments plus 4 from Bosnia- Herzegovina> 39 battalions of Jagers (light infantry)-etc.-etc.Bosnia_Herzegovinan had fez headress, red collar patches with yellow buttons. Leadmen

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Again,

Everything I have read says the Austrians were very careful about where the sent troops because of the ethnic make up of their empire so they would not be facing their cousins and be more likely to fight well as opposed to possibly deserting to the other side. So I would imagine they would have been ethnic Hungarians and German stock. Not likely they would have been Bosnian but its always a possiblity.

Dave