Bosnian-Herzegovinian Infantry
Encyclopedia
The Bosnian-Herzegovinian Infantry was a branch of the army of Austria-Hungary
, which had been granted some special and unique privileges distinct from other (Christian) units. They had their own uniforms and units were given its own number sequence within the common army.
The units were part of the line infantry in 1914 and consisted of four infantry regiments (numbered 1-4) and a Field Rifles Battalion (Feldjägerbataillon).
provinces of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Novi Pazar
were taken over by the army of Austria-Hungary
. "The Austrians' total losses came to 946 dead and 3980 wounded."
Although the two provinces constitutionally still belonged to the Ottoman Empire
the Austria
n Imperial Administration began to build up a rudimentary administrative apparatus based on a reform of the existing systems. There was ongoing communal rension and resistance to Habsburg
rule in many rural areas, especially in Hercegovina and along the eastern border with Serbia
. "The Austrians set up a special local militia force there, the 'Pandurs'; but many of these militia men became rebellious themselves, and some took to brigandage."
"In November 1881 the Austro-Hungarian government passed a Military Law (Wehrgesetz) imposing an obligation upon all Bosnians to serve in the Imperial Army." This led to widespread riots over December 1881 and throughout 1882 - which could only be defeated and suppressed by military means. The Austrians
appealed to the Mufti
of Sarajevo
, Mustafa Hilmi Hadžiomerović
(born 1816) and he soon issued a Fatwa
"calling on the Bosniaks to obey military Law." Other important Muslim community leaders such as Mehmedbeg Kapetanović, later Mayor of Sarajevo
, also appealed to young Muslim men to serve in the Habsburg military.
Infantry formations were first set up in 1882 in each of the four main areas of Sarajevo
, Banja Luka
, Tuzla
and Mostar
. Initially each was composed of one infantry company which was enlarged in subsequent years by a company each. By 1889 there were eight independent battalions. In 1892 three more battalions were established. In 1894 the military administration set up the Bosnian Herzegovinian Infantry Regiment Association (Bosnisch-Hercegowinische Infanterie den Regimentsverband) in order to integrate them into the rest of the Imperial Austria
n army. On 1 January 1894 a "Most High Resolution" (Allerhöchste Entschließung) formalised this measure but it proved to be difficult and was not completed until 1897.
The Field Rifles Battalion (Feldjägerbataillon) was established in 1903.
n military infantry caps. If the officers were Muslims, they could also wear the fez. Tunics and blouses were consistent with those of the standard German
line infantry. The buttons were yellow with the respective regimental number.
The pants were so-called knee breeches after oriental models. They consisted of the two leg parts and the leg pieces (like the German V-away or breeches of the armed forces - but instead issued after the front side) that were each composed of a front and back. At the front were two diagonally cut pockets. The leg parts were kept far below the knee and narrowed from there. The running down Wade pieces were connected by a 3.5 cm wide alliance of double pleated fabric with the leg parts.
n Gewehr Mannlicher M 1890 rifle. The religious requirements of Muslim
soldiers were meticulously observed and respected. Junior officers and NCOs came up the ranks during the first phase of training. Within the German
-speaking Habsburg army these five units were considered equal to other components, and brave enough to warrant a special separate numbering system (within the line infantry).
In 1916 Austria-Hungary
occupied Albania
and about 5000 Albanian
men were recruited "to serve in a militia with Bosnian Muslim officers."
The most prominent Bosnian
officer to rise the ranks was Colonel Hussein Biscevic
(Husein Biščević or Biščević-beg) who later served in the Waffen SS. Muhamed Hadžiefendić
(1898–1943) served as a lieutenant in this formation during World War I
.
Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary , more formally known as the Kingdoms and Lands Represented in the Imperial Council and the Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen, was a constitutional monarchic union between the crowns of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary in...
, which had been granted some special and unique privileges distinct from other (Christian) units. They had their own uniforms and units were given its own number sequence within the common army.
The units were part of the line infantry in 1914 and consisted of four infantry regiments (numbered 1-4) and a Field Rifles Battalion (Feldjägerbataillon).
History
Between July and 20 October 1878 the two OttomanOttoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
provinces of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Novi Pazar
Novi Pazar
Novi Pazar is a city and municipality located in southwest Serbia, in the Raška District. According to the official census in 2011, number of inhabitants of municipality is 92,776, while the city itself has a population of 60,638...
were taken over by the army of Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary , more formally known as the Kingdoms and Lands Represented in the Imperial Council and the Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen, was a constitutional monarchic union between the crowns of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary in...
. "The Austrians' total losses came to 946 dead and 3980 wounded."
Although the two provinces constitutionally still belonged to the Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
the Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
n Imperial Administration began to build up a rudimentary administrative apparatus based on a reform of the existing systems. There was ongoing communal rension and resistance to Habsburg
Habsburg
The House of Habsburg , also found as Hapsburg, and also known as House of Austria is one of the most important royal houses of Europe and is best known for being an origin of all of the formally elected Holy Roman Emperors between 1438 and 1740, as well as rulers of the Austrian Empire and...
rule in many rural areas, especially in Hercegovina and along the eastern border with Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
. "The Austrians set up a special local militia force there, the 'Pandurs'; but many of these militia men became rebellious themselves, and some took to brigandage."
"In November 1881 the Austro-Hungarian government passed a Military Law (Wehrgesetz) imposing an obligation upon all Bosnians to serve in the Imperial Army." This led to widespread riots over December 1881 and throughout 1882 - which could only be defeated and suppressed by military means. The Austrians
Austrians
Austrians are a nation and ethnic group, consisting of the population of the Republic of Austria and its historical predecessor states who share a common Austrian culture and Austrian descent....
appealed to the Mufti
Mufti
A mufti is a Sunni Islamic scholar who is an interpreter or expounder of Islamic law . In religious administrative terms, a mufti is roughly equivalent to a deacon to a Sunni population...
of Sarajevo
Sarajevo
Sarajevo |Bosnia]], surrounded by the Dinaric Alps and situated along the Miljacka River in the heart of Southeastern Europe and the Balkans....
, Mustafa Hilmi Hadžiomerović
Mustafa Hilmi Hadžiomerović
Mustafa Hilmi ef. Hadžiomerović was the first Mufti of Sarajevo appointed Reis-l-ulema in 1882 by the Austrian authorities.-Career:...
(born 1816) and he soon issued a Fatwa
Fatwa
A fatwā in the Islamic faith is a juristic ruling concerning Islamic law issued by an Islamic scholar. In Sunni Islam any fatwā is non-binding, whereas in Shia Islam it could be considered by an individual as binding, depending on his or her relation to the scholar. The person who issues a fatwā...
"calling on the Bosniaks to obey military Law." Other important Muslim community leaders such as Mehmedbeg Kapetanović, later Mayor of Sarajevo
Sarajevo
Sarajevo |Bosnia]], surrounded by the Dinaric Alps and situated along the Miljacka River in the heart of Southeastern Europe and the Balkans....
, also appealed to young Muslim men to serve in the Habsburg military.
Infantry formations were first set up in 1882 in each of the four main areas of Sarajevo
Sarajevo
Sarajevo |Bosnia]], surrounded by the Dinaric Alps and situated along the Miljacka River in the heart of Southeastern Europe and the Balkans....
, Banja Luka
Banja Luka
-History:The name "Banja Luka" was first mentioned in a document dated February 6, 1494, but Banja Luka's history dates back to ancient times. There is a substantial evidence of the Roman presence in the region during the first few centuries A.D., including an old fort "Kastel" in the centre of...
, Tuzla
Tuzla
Tuzla is a city and municipality in Bosnia and Herzegovina. At the time of the 1991 census, it had 83,770 inhabitants, while the municipality 131,318. Taking the influx of refugees into account, the city is currently estimated to have 174,558 inhabitants...
and Mostar
Mostar
Mostar is a city and municipality in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the largest and one of the most important cities in the Herzegovina region and the center of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton of the Federation. Mostar is situated on the Neretva river and is the fifth-largest city in the country...
. Initially each was composed of one infantry company which was enlarged in subsequent years by a company each. By 1889 there were eight independent battalions. In 1892 three more battalions were established. In 1894 the military administration set up the Bosnian Herzegovinian Infantry Regiment Association (Bosnisch-Hercegowinische Infanterie den Regimentsverband) in order to integrate them into the rest of the Imperial Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
n army. On 1 January 1894 a "Most High Resolution" (Allerhöchste Entschließung) formalised this measure but it proved to be difficult and was not completed until 1897.
The Field Rifles Battalion (Feldjägerbataillon) was established in 1903.
Uniform
The most distinctive characteristic garment of this European military force was the fez, which was worn on parade and for field uniform. The Fez was made of reddish-brown felt and equipped with a tassel of black sheep's wool. This tassel was 18.5 cm long and mounted on a rosette fringes. The fez had to be worn such that the tassel was at the back. Officers and cadets often wore alternate AustriaAustria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
n military infantry caps. If the officers were Muslims, they could also wear the fez. Tunics and blouses were consistent with those of the standard German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
line infantry. The buttons were yellow with the respective regimental number.
The pants were so-called knee breeches after oriental models. They consisted of the two leg parts and the leg pieces (like the German V-away or breeches of the armed forces - but instead issued after the front side) that were each composed of a front and back. At the front were two diagonally cut pockets. The leg parts were kept far below the knee and narrowed from there. The running down Wade pieces were connected by a 3.5 cm wide alliance of double pleated fabric with the leg parts.
Performance
For most of its existence the formation was equipped with the AustriaAustria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
n Gewehr Mannlicher M 1890 rifle. The religious requirements of Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
soldiers were meticulously observed and respected. Junior officers and NCOs came up the ranks during the first phase of training. Within the German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
-speaking Habsburg army these five units were considered equal to other components, and brave enough to warrant a special separate numbering system (within the line infantry).
In 1916 Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary , more formally known as the Kingdoms and Lands Represented in the Imperial Council and the Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen, was a constitutional monarchic union between the crowns of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary in...
occupied Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
and about 5000 Albanian
Albanians
Albanians are a nation and ethnic group native to Albania and neighbouring countries. They speak the Albanian language. More than half of all Albanians live in Albania and Kosovo...
men were recruited "to serve in a militia with Bosnian Muslim officers."
The most prominent Bosnian
Bosnians
Bosnians are people who reside in, or come from, Bosnia and Herzegovina. By the modern state definition a Bosnian can be anyone who holds citizenship of the state. This includes, but is not limited to, members of the constituent ethnic groups of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Bosniaks, Bosnian Serbs and...
officer to rise the ranks was Colonel Hussein Biscevic
Hussein Biscevic
Hussein Biščević was the highest ranking Bosnian military officer in the 13th Waffen Mountain Division of the SS Handschar during World War II.-Life:...
(Husein Biščević or Biščević-beg) who later served in the Waffen SS. Muhamed Hadžiefendić
Muhamed Hadžiefendić
Muhamed Hadžiefendić was Croatian Domobran senior officer and commander of the Croatian Home Guard unit 'Volunteer Detachment of People's Uprising' , a World War II Croatian Muslim militia in Independent State of Croatia.-Life:Muhamed Hadžiefendić was born in Tuzla...
(1898–1943) served as a lieutenant in this formation during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
Further reading
- Noel Malcolm, Bosnia: A Short History, 1994
- Fikret Karčić, The Bosniaks and the Challenges of Modernity: Late Ottoman and Hapsburg Times (1995)
- Johann C. Allmayer-Beck, Erich Lessing: Die K.u.k. Armee. 1848-1918. Verlag Bertelsmann, München 1974, ISBN 3-570-07287-8
- Stefan Rest: Des Kaisers Rock im ersten Weltkrieg. Verlag Militaria, Wien 2002, ISBN 3-9501642-0-0
- Werner Schachinger, Die Bosniaken kommen! - Elitetruppe in der k.u.k. Armee 1879-1918. Leopold Stocker Verlag, Graz 1994, ISBN 978-3-7020-0574-0
- k.u.k. Kriegsministerium „Dislokation und Einteilung des k.u.k Heeres, der k.u.k. Kriegsmarine, der k.k. Landwehr und der k.u. Landwehr“ in: Seidels kleines Armeeschema - Herausg.: Seidel & Sohn Wien 1914
- Lepre, George (2000). Himmler's Bosnian Division: The Waffen-SS Handschar Division 1943-1945 Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0764301349 , page.118.
- Tomes, Jason. King Zog of Albania: Europe's Self-Made Muslim Monarch, 2003 (ISBN 0-7509-3077-2)
- Donia R., Islam under Double Eagle: The Muslims of Bosnia and Hercegovina, 1878-1914
- F. Schmid, Bosnien und Herzegowina unter der Verwaltung Österreich-Ungarns (Leipzig, 1914)
- B. E. Schmitt, The Annexation of Bosnia, 1908–1909 (Cambridge, 1937)