THE TYROLEAN KAISERJAGER

First recruited from veterans of the Tyrolean Uprising of 1809, the Kaiserjäger developed into an elite body in the k.u.k. Army. Established in 1816 by Emperor Franz I, before the First World War the Tyrolean Kaiserjäger Regiment fought in theatres of war in Italy, Hungary, and Bosnia. They proved themselves time and again in battles at Novara, Magenta, Solferino and Custozza to name just a few. After the regiment was regrouped into four in 1895, the Kaiserjäger retained their elite character and continued to serve as a military training ground for Austrian archdukes. During the First World War, the Kaiserjäger were deployed in Galicia, Romania and the Dolomites, where the heavily contested mountains Monte Piano, Col di Lana and Lagazuoi, as well as the Pasubio massif, went down in history as the ‘Kaiserjäger mountains’. The imperial couple Karl and Zita, in particular, rewarded the loyalty of the Kaiserjäger with a lifelong bond.

For the first time, this richly illustrated book covers the 200-year history, uniforms, equipment and traditions of the Tyrolean Kaiserjäger. The multifaceted portrayal ranges from important personalities and their careers and awards, through armament and commemorative culture to the experiences of Kaiserjäger in the First World War. A prominent place is also given to the memorial site on the Bergisel as well as the Tyrolean Kaiserjäger Museum, which today preserves the history of the Kaiserjäger and makes it accessible to the public. Further chapters show how the Alt-Kaiserjägerclub, the Kaiserjägerbund and the military band the Original Tiroler Kaiserjägermusik have kept alive the memory of the Tyrolean Kaiserjäger regiments for over a hundred years and highlight the important role that the Austrian Armed Forces play today in maintaining this heritage.

In addition to its wide-ranging presentation, this book is above all characterized by its many illustrations, including objects that have rarely or never been displayed. In particular, the detailed illustrations of uniforms, equipment and decorations reveal new insights into the history of the Tyrolean Kaiserjäger.