The 14th Army (German: 14. Armee / Armeeoberkommando 14 / A.O.K. 14) was an army level command of the German Army in World War I formed in September 1917 in Krainburg for use against Italy. Its headquarters was located at Vittorio Veneto from 10 November 1917 until the army was disbanded on 22 January 1918.[1] The 14th Army served on the Italian Front throughout its existence.
| 14. Armee 14th Army | |
|---|---|
 Flag of the Staff of an Armee Oberkommando (1871–1918) | |
| Active | 9 September 1917 – 22 January 1918 |
| Country |  German Empire |
| Type | Field army |
| Engagements | World War I |
| Insignia | |
| Abbreviation | A.O.K. 14 |
History edit
After the Eleventh Battle of the Isonzo, the Austro-Hungarians were exhausted and could not have withstood another attack. They appealed to the Germans for help and the Germans, fearing a collapse on the Italian Front, sent 7 divisions, 540 guns, 216 mortars and about 100 aircraft from the Western and Eastern Fronts. To control these troops, a new 14th Army under General der Infanterie Otto von Below was concentrated between Tolmin and Bovec. For the Battle of Caporetto a number of Austro-Hungarian divisions were added.
Following the successful offensive, the front soon froze again in trench warfare. The German High Command decided to withdraw its forces again to use on other fronts. On 23 January 1918 the Army Command was recalled (to form a new 17th Army on the Western Front). The German troops remaining on the Italian front came under the command of 51st Corps until it was withdrawn in February 1918.
Outline Order of Battle, Battle of Caporetto edit
Units are German unless designated as Austria-Hungary.
| Organization of the 14th Army on 24 October 1917 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Army | Corps | Division |
| 14th Army | I Corps (Austria-Hungary) | 3rd “Edelweiss” Infantry Division (Austria-Hungary) |
| 22nd Schützen Division (Austria-Hungary)[2] | ||
| 55th Infantry Division (Austria-Hungary) | ||
| Jäger Division[3] | ||
| III Bavarian Corps | 50th Infantry Division (Austria-Hungary) | |
| 12th Division | ||
| 117th Division | ||
| Alpenkorps[4] | ||
| 51st Corps | 26th Division (1st Württemberg) | |
| 200th Division[5] | ||
| XV Corps (Austria-Hungary) | 1st Infantry Division (Austria-Hungary) | |
| 5th Division | ||
| Army Reserve | 4th Infantry Division (Austria-Hungary) | |
| 13th Schützen Division (Austria-Hungary) | ||
| 33rd Infantry Division (Austria-Hungary) | ||
| Later reinforcements | 35th Infantry Division (Austria-Hungary) | |
| 94th Infantry Division (Austria-Hungary) | ||
Commanders edit
The 14th Army was commanded throughout its existence by General der Infanterie Otto von Below, former commander of 6th Army. On dissolution of 14th Army, von Below was transferred to command of the newly raised 17th Army on the Western Front.[6]
See also edit
- 14th Army (Wehrmacht) for the equivalent formation in World War II
References edit
- ^ Cron 2002, p. 82
- ^ In this context, Schützen designates units drawn from the Austrian k.k. Landwehr
- ^ Formed of elite Jäger Regiments.
- ^ A division sized formation, despite its name, formed predominantly of elite Jäger Regiments.
- ^ Another division formed of elite Jäger Regiments.
- ^ Cron 2002, p. 398
Bibliography edit
- Cron, Hermann (2002). Imperial German Army 1914–18: Organisation, Structure, Orders-of-Battle [first published: 1937]. Helion & Co. ISBN 1-874622-70-1.
- Ellis, John; Cox, Michael (1993). The World War I Databook. Aurum Press Ltd. ISBN 1-85410-766-6.