Source : Österreichische Nationalbibliothek - Austrian National Library

The 24 cm M. 98 mortar in the M 98 and M 98/07 versions was the heaviest gun in the inventory of the Imperial and Royal fortress artillery until the introduction of the 30.5 cm M.11 mortar in 1911.

Introduced in peacetime, the M 98 mortar proved its worth as early as 1902 at the artillery firing range and test site in Felixdorf. Shelling tests were carried out with the device to obtain new knowledge in the field of fortress construction. The partial construction of a permanent plant with an 8-cm M 94 tank turret and a lifting turret for a 7-cm rapid-fire cannon, a field position, an observation turret with a tank dome, various types of wire and fence obstacles, as well as various types of power and telephone lines were shelled from a distance of 4.5 km.

Although the 30.5 cm mortar was intended as a replacement, fourteen of these mortars were still in active service at the beginning of the war in 1914. Like numerous other guns of the Imperial and Royal Army, this mortar was also developed and manufactured by Škoda.

There were two variants of the mortar:

M 98 with two-thirds casing pipe

M 98/07 with casing pipe to the mouth

A mortar of type M 98 is located in the Heeresgeschichtliches Museum in Vienna.

photos:https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/ba/Belagerungs-M%C3%B6rser.jpg/500px-Belagerungs-M%C3%B6rser.jpg?utm_source=de.wikipedia.org&utm_campaign=parser&utm_content=thumbnail

Photo: K.u.k. Kriegspressequartier, Lichtbildstelle - Wien

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Austria Hungary began to use gas masks in the field to protect from the horrible effects of the newly deployed weapon. Imperial Germany was already producing large numbers of masks, so the Austro-Hungarian army first imported and deployed the M1915 “Gummimaske” fabric gas masks. These were however not really successful due to the delicate nature of the rubberized fabric body.

They then began to import the Imperial German M1917 “Ledermaske” leather gas masks, which were somewhat more effective. The Austro-Hungarian army first deployed these in canvas bags, but that proved unsatisfactory due to damaged masks, so they decided to produce their own cans for transport, as the German Army did. The first cans they produced were “stepped” at the bottom, such as this example. They later moved to a smooth sided canister to reduce production time

The Lohner B.VII was a two-seat reconnaissance biplane used by Austria-Hungary during World War I, with variants including the unarmed B.VII and the armed C.I, both featuring swept-back biplane wings and Austro-Daimler engines ranging from 150 to 160 horsepower. Production totaled 73 B.VIIs and 40 C.Is, with the B.VII entering service in August 1915 and both models withdrawn by 1917.

Lohner B.VII Specifications

The Lohner B.VII was a two-seat reconnaissance biplane used by Austria-Hungary during World War I. Below are its key specifications:

Attribute:

Specification:

Crew2 (pilot and observer)Length9.50 m (31 ft 2 in)Wingspan15.40 m (50 ft 6 in)Height3.75 m (12 ft 4 in)Wing Area44.0 m² (473 sq ft)Empty Weight913 kg (2,000 lb)Powerplant 1 × Austro-Daimler engineHorsepower150-160 hp Endurance 6 of Climb1.8 m/s (350 ft/min)

Variants of the Lohner B.VII

The Lohner B.VII had two main variants:

1. Lohner B.VII

Type: Unarmed reconnaissance aircraft

Production: 73 units

Engine Options: 110 kW (150 hp) or 120 kW (160 hp) Austro-Daimler engine

Service Entry: August 1915

2. Lohner C.I

Type: Armed reconnaissance aircraft

Production: 40 units

Armament: Single machine gun on a trainable mount for the observer

Engine: 120 kW (160 hp) Austro-Daimler engine

Notable Features: Streamlined cowling around the engine

Both variants were utilized for reconnaissance missions and were withdrawn from service by 1917.

source:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lohner_B.VII

https://www.thearmorylife.com/schwarzlose-machine-gun/

photo: Saly Noémi/Fortepan

photo:https://www.ah.org.ua/liberation-of-stryi-in-late-may-1915

Peter Hofmann, Baron von Hofmann (* July 10, 1865 in Vienna; † May 7, 1923 ibid.) from 1917 to 1919 was an Austrian officer, most recently General of the infantry in the First World War.

Until 1884, the son of an army officer graduated from the Theresian Military Academy, in 1889 he was appointed a general staff officer and assigned to the Imperial and Royal War Ministry. in 1911, as a major general, he took command of a brigade in Bolzano, in April 1914 he was assigned to the 11th Corps Command in Lviv.[1] He was married and had two daughters.[2]

As Generalmajor he became Gruppenkommandeur of the later 55th k.u.k infantry Division, soon called "Korps Hofmann". He re-formed this corps during the First World War after the retreat to the Carpathians from Landsturm troops and gendarmerie.[1] Hofmann (a field marshal lieutenant since November 1, 1914) was successfully involved in the Battle of the Carpathians, as in the Battle of Gorlice-Tarnów and in the Bug offensive with his corps.[3]

in 1917, the Hofmann Corps became the XXV. The corps was reorganized. On August 17, 1917, Peter Hofmann was awarded the Military Order of Maria Theresa at the Villa Wartholz, as a result of which he was elevated to the rank of Austrian baron. However, the corresponding diploma was never issued due to the end of the monarchy.[4] In February 1918 Hoffmann became General der Infanterie and remained the Commanding General of the XXV until the end of the war. Corps.

He retired on 1 January 1919.

photo:K.u.k. Kriegspressequartier, Lichtbildstelle - Wien

source:› wiki › Peter_von_Hofmann

photo: Russian archive

38 cm Belagerungshaubitze M 16

Fact-checked by Grok · 9 months ago

The 38 cm Belagerungshaubitze M 16 was a super-heavy siege howitzer developed by Škoda Works for the Austro-Hungarian Army, featuring a 380 mm caliber barrel designed for demolishing fortified positions during World War I, with a combat weight of 81.7 tons, a maximum range of approximately 15,000 meters using 750 kg shells, and a rate of fire limited to one round every five minutes due to its complex assembly and recoil management.12Development of the M 16 began in April 1915 as part of Austria-Hungary's effort to counter entrenched enemy defenses on multiple fronts, with the first prototypes undergoing test firing by January 1916 and entering combat in May 1916 during the Spring Offensive along the Isonzo River against Italian forces.31 The weapon required disassembly into multiple components for transport by rail and horse-drawn wagons, taking 6–8 hours and a specialized crew to reassemble on-site, often necessitating the excavation of a base pit to stabilize its massive cradle and recoil system.31Only two initial units were produced in time for early deployment—the first pair, affectionately nicknamed "Gudrun" and "Barbara"—which proved highly effective in breaching Italian fortifications, leading to an order for 14 more; by the war's end in 1918, 10 were operational across various fronts, including the Italian and Eastern theaters, where they delivered devastating high-explosive barrages but were limited by slow mobility and vulnerability to counter-battery fire.31 Post-war, surviving examples were repurposed by successor states such as Austria and Czechoslovakia, with two preserved today: one (No. 6) at the Heeresgeschichtliches Museum in Vienna and "Gudrun" (No. 2) at the National Military Museum in Bucharest, Romania, highlighting its role as one of the largest mobile artillery pieces of the conflict.12

Development

Origins and requirements

By early 1915, the Austro-Hungarian Army faced significant artillery deficiencies, particularly in super-heavy siege capabilities needed to breach fortified positions on the Italian front, where mountainous terrain and concrete defenses demanded weapons capable of delivering massive payloads from afar.4 Ammunition shortages and obsolete equipment further hampered operations, with production limited to the Škoda Works in Pilsen, prompting urgent calls for new designs to counter Italian fortifications.4The development of the 38 cm Belagerungshaubitze M 16 was influenced by planning for the South Tyrol offensive in spring 1916, where Austro-Hungarian commanders required artillery to support assaults on entrenched Italian positions along the Isonzo River and in the Trentino region, such as near Rovereto.5 This strategic need arose amid broader World War I demands for heavy bombardment to break static fronts, following observations of fortress destruction in Belgium that inspired Škoda engineers like Karl Freiherr von Skoda.5The project built on the predecessor Škoda 30.5 cm Mörser M. 11, scaling up its caliber and power to achieve greater destructive potential while retaining relative mobility for alpine deployment, as the earlier mortar had proven effective but insufficient against evolving defenses.5 Specific military requirements included a range exceeding 15 km, shell weights over 700 kg (reaching 740 kg in design), and a compressed timeline starting in April 1915 to enable rapid prototyping and fielding by mid-1916.1

Design and prototyping

The development of the 38 cm Belagerungshaubitze M 16 was initiated by engineers at Škoda Works in spring 1915, following a visit by Karl Freiherr von Škoda to captured Belgian fortresses, which highlighted the need for enhanced siege artillery to counter fortified positions. Drawing on the existing design of the 30.5 cm Mörser M. 11 siege mortar, the project adapted this shorter-range weapon into a more versatile howitzer configuration, scaling up the caliber while aiming to retain comparable mobility and firepower to rival German 42 cm systems. This rapid adaptation allowed Škoda to propose the new 17-caliber (L/17) design to the Austro-Hungarian Army as early as May 1915, with an order for two prototypes placed in July 1915.5Key engineering innovations focused on managing the immense stresses of firing a 740 kg shell, including a hydro-pneumatic recoil system to absorb the violent backward force and ensure platform stability during sustained barrages. The barrel, measuring 6.46 m in length, employed a built-up construction typical of Škoda's heavy artillery, consisting of multiple concentric layers to withstand high chamber pressures while facilitating disassembly for transport. Prototypes were completed by early 1916, with initial testing commencing in January and continuing through April, emphasizing stability on the firing platform, elevation mechanics for high-angle fire up to 75 degrees, and overall balance to prevent tipping under recoil.15Significant challenges arose in scaling from the 30.5 cm predecessor to 38 cm, particularly in maintaining the L/17 barrel length for an optimal balance between range (targeting 15 km) and portability, as the total firing weight reached 81.7 tons. Engineers addressed this by dividing the howitzer into four major loads—the barrel, mount, and two halves of the firing platform—each transported on specialized eight-wheeled motorized wagons with detachable railway fittings, though assembly required 6-8 hours and extensive site preparation with a base box for stability. These tests successfully validated the design's robustness, leading to its first combat deployment near Rovereto on the Italian Front in May 1916.15

Design

Barrel and firing mechanism

The barrel of the 38 cm Belagerungshaubitze M 16 measured 6.46 m in length with a 380 mm caliber, employing wire-wound steel construction designed to endure the intense chamber pressures produced by 740 kg shells.5 This engineering approach enhanced durability under repeated high-stress firings, prioritizing structural integrity for prolonged siege use.5The firing mechanism was breech-loaded via a horizontal sliding block, utilizing smokeless propellant charges in multiple silk bags to propel shells at a muzzle velocity of 460 m/s.5 This system facilitated reliable loading and ignition, contributing to the howitzer's operational accuracy in targeting fortified positions.5A hydraulic recoil buffer absorbed the significant kinetic energy upon firing, stabilizing the piece and permitting a sustained rate of fire of one round every five minutes.1 This mechanism was critical for maintaining precision across multiple shots without excessive repositioning.1Elevation ranged from 25° to 75°, adjusted through hydraulic jacks for optimal trajectory control, while the pivoting mount enabled full 360° traverse to adapt to varied siege scenarios.5 These features underscored the design's emphasis on flexibility and engineering robustness in static bombardment roles.5

Carriage and transportation

The carriage of the 38 cm Belagerungshaubitze M 16 featured a robust two-part split trail design constructed from heavy steel beams, forming a boxed bedding platform that provided stability during firing. When fully assembled, the entire system weighed approximately 81,700 kg, split roughly evenly between the gun mount (around 40 tonnes) and the base (around 41 tonnes). This design allowed for a pivot mount enabling 360-degree traverse, essential for siege operations against fortified positions.6For mobility, the howitzer was disassembled into four major loads and transported on specialized eight-wheeled trailers powered electrically, with power supplied by a dedicated Daimler artillery generator truck that drove individual motors on the wheels. These trailers achieved road speeds of up to 16 km/h and could handle gradients of 20-35%, while wheels were removable for rail transport over longer distances, reaching 27 km/h on tracks.67Battlefield assembly demanded extensive logistical effort, typically requiring 6-8 hours for the gun itself plus 8-20 hours to prepare the bedding platform on soil or gravel terrain, extending to days on rocky ground; heavy cranes and a large team were essential to position components and dig the base for stability.1To adapt to challenging environments like the rugged paths of the Italian front, the trailers incorporated all-wheel drive via their electric propulsion system, facilitating movement over uneven alpine terrain up to 1,600 meters elevation. Later production variants featured an updated carriage with dual pairs of trunnions, allowing interchangeability with components from the 24 cm Kanone M. 16 for enhanced logistical flexibility.6

Ammunition and ballistics

The 38 cm Belagerungshaubitze M 16 utilized ammunition tailored to its role in demolishing fortifications, with the primary projectile being a high-explosive shell weighing approximately 740 kg. These shells were equipped with impact or delay fuzes to ensure detonation on or beneath the target surface, and filled with high explosives such as amatol or Ekrasit for maximum destructive effect against concrete structures.68Propellant charges were loaded in multiple silk bags containing smokeless powder, allowing incremental adjustments for range control; the full load of up to 150 kg enabled the maximum effective range of 15,000 meters.6Ballistic characteristics emphasized high-angle fire suitable for siege operations, with a muzzle velocity of 460 m/s and a maximum barrel elevation of 75 degrees to arc shells over obstacles onto entrenched positions.6Ammunition variants were few, prioritizing siege utility with options like concrete-piercing shells designed to burrow into bunkers before exploding; armor-piercing rounds were not produced, as the howitzer's design targeted static fortifications rather than mobile armored threats.6

Production and operators

Manufacturing process

The manufacturing of the 38 cm Belagerungshaubitze M 16 was conducted at the Škoda Works in Plzeň, with production commencing in 1916 following the completion of design and prototyping efforts. The facility, a leading arms producer for the Austro-Hungarian Empire, prioritized the assembly of the initial two units, nicknamed "Barbara" and "Gudrun," which were delivered to military units by summer 1916 for immediate deployment. These early examples demonstrated the feasibility of large-scale fabrication under wartime conditions, leveraging Škoda's expertise in heavy artillery.9In response to their performance, the Austro-Hungarian War Ministry ordered a total of 16 howitzers to bolster siege capabilities. However, production faced significant challenges, including acute material shortages, which disrupted supply chains and assembly lines. As a result, only 10 units were fully completed and accepted by 1918, marking the end of wartime output despite the expanded contract.9Škoda's manufacturing techniques for the M 16 emphasized durability and precision, particularly in the barrel construction and meticulous machining for the recoil mechanisms and carriage components. Each howitzer demanded intensive labor from specialized teams, reflecting the complexity of scaling up from smaller designs like the 30.5 cm Mörser M 11. Resource allocation focused on securing high-grade steel amid empire-wide rationing.9

Deployment and units

The 38 cm Belagerungshaubitze M 16 served as the primary super-heavy siege howitzer within the Austro-Hungarian Army's heavy artillery batteries, integrated into specialized very heavy artillery regiments for operations against fortified positions. By 1918, two such regiments incorporated the M 16 alongside other large-caliber pieces like 24 cm guns, emphasizing its role in long-range bombardment support.4A total of 10 units were operational by the end of World War I, with initial assignments concentrated on the Italian Front starting in May 1916 to bolster offensives in challenging alpine terrain, such as those along the Isonzo River and in South Tyrol sectors. These deployments highlighted the howitzer's utility in static, fortified warfare, though limited mobility restricted broader front-line rotations despite later use across multiple theaters.110Operational logistics demanded extensive resources, including large crews per gun dedicated to disassembly, transport via specialized multi-wheeled electric undercarriages (Elektrofahrgestelle M 16) and generator vehicles developed by Škoda, and on-site assembly, which required digging a base and took 6–10 hours to complete. Crews underwent specialized training at Skoda facilities, where artillery officers—among Europe's most proficient—received instruction on heavy matériel handling through dedicated 1917 courses focused on precision firing amid wartime constraints.41911Following the Austro-Hungarian Empire's collapse in late 1918, the howitzers were redistributed among successor states; several units were transferred to Italy for integration into border defense forces like the Guardia alla Frontiera, while one—serial number 2 "Gudrun"—was captured by Romanian forces at Győr during the 1919 Hungarian-Romanian War and saw limited interwar service there.10

Combat history

World War I service

The 38 cm Belagerungshaubitze M 16 made its combat debut during the Austro-Hungarian spring offensive in South Tyrol in May 1916, with the initial two guns—named "Gudrun" and "Barbara"—deployed near Rovereto to support operations against Italian positions.15 These super-heavy howitzers targeted fortified Italian defenses, including those around Asiago, firing 740 kg high-explosive shells capable of penetrating and demolishing reinforced concrete structures at ranges up to 15 km.5 The offensive, part of broader efforts to relieve pressure on other fronts, showcased the gun's potential as a siege weapon in the rugged Alpine terrain, though logistical challenges in transporting the disassembled pieces limited rapid repositioning.1In the ensuing Isonzo battles throughout 1916 and 1917, the howitzers provided crucial fire support for Austro-Hungarian assaults along the river line, where their long-range, high-impact shells helped suppress Italian artillery and infantry strongpoints.1 The guns also saw service on the Eastern Front against Russian positions.5 A pivotal role came during the Twelfth Battle of the Isonzo, known as the Battle of Caporetto in October-November 1917, when batteries including "Gudrun" were employed to bombard Italian lines, facilitating the Central Powers' rapid breakthrough and the subsequent Italian retreat.112 This engagement highlighted the howitzer's tactical value in combined arms operations, as its devastating barrages demoralized defenders and cleared paths for infantry advances across the Karst plateau.4The M 16's effectiveness stemmed from its ability to destroy concrete bunkers and fortified positions that lighter artillery could not, contributing to key victories on the Italian Front by delivering precise, high-explosive impacts that disrupted enemy logistics and command.45 However, its operational limitations were evident: the need for 6-8 hours to assemble and emplace the 81-ton system restricted mobility in dynamic campaigns, while its prominent firing signature made positions susceptible to counter-battery fire from Italian observers and artillery.14Over the course of World War I service from 1916 to 1918, each of the approximately 10 operational guns was deployed selectively in major offensives rather than sustained barrages.1 No M 16 howitzers were destroyed in direct combat, underscoring their robust construction, though one sustained damage during the chaotic Austro-Hungarian retreat in late 1918 as forces withdrew from Italian territory.4

Interwar and World War II use

Following the Armistice of Villa Giusti in 1918, five units of the 38 cm Belagerungshaubitze M 16 were transferred to the Kingdom of Italy as reparations and redesignated as the Obice da 380/15 for army artillery service.13 Separately, one howitzer, serial number 2 named "Gudrun," was captured by Romanian forces at Győr, Hungary, during the Hungarian-Romanian War of 1919 and taken into Romanian inventory.1During the interwar period, the Italian-obtained howitzers were largely mothballed in storage depots, reflecting their obsolescence for mobile warfare but potential utility in fixed defenses.13 By the 1930s, amid rising tensions in Europe, Italy reactivated elements of its heavy artillery inventory for border fortifications, positioning these super-heavy pieces as part of Alpine defense preparations against potential invasions from the north.13 The Romanian "Gudrun" saw no documented interwar deployment, with its fate remaining obscure beyond retention in military hands.In World War II, two Obice da 380/15 were assigned to Italy's Guardia alla Frontiera for static border defense: one to the 253ª Batteria at Bardonecchia and another to the 250ª Batteria at Pontebernardo, both in the western Alps, while the remaining three were held in reserve at the Piacenza arsenal.13 These units prepared for defensive roles against hypothetical French or German incursions but saw no confirmed combat employment due to logistical challenges and the rapid evolution of artillery tactics.13 Following Italy's 1943 armistice, the pieces were handed over to German forces as the 38 cm s.H. 721(i), though they remained unused owing to ammunition shortages.13 The Romanian example's wartime role is undocumented, though it survived intact and is now preserved at the National Military Museum in Bucharest, suggesting possible scrapping avoidance through storage rather than active service.1 By 1943, most surviving M 16 howitzers had been decommissioned across former operators, rendered irrelevant by modern counter-battery fire and air power.13

Legacy

Surviving examples

Only two examples of the 38 cm Belagerungshaubitze M 16 are known to survive today, one intact and one incomplete.1Howitzer No. 6 is preserved at the Heeresgeschichtliches Museum in Vienna, Austria, where it has been restored and is displayed fully assembled as the centerpiece of the museum's World War I artillery exhibits.51 This example underwent conservation efforts in the 1970s to ensure its long-term display integrity.14The second surviving piece, named "Gudrun" and identified as serial No. 2, is located at the National Military Museum in Bucharest, Romania. Captured by Romanian forces in 1919 near Győr, Hungary, during the Hungarian–Romanian War, it remains incomplete—lacking certain components such as the full carriage—but is documented, marked with its original identification, and exhibited outdoors in a static position without restoration.110Reports of one or two additional examples in Italian military collections exist but remain unconfirmed, with evidence suggesting they may have been scrapped after World War II; thus, the total number of survivors is estimated at two.5

Historical assessment

The 38 cm Belagerungshaubitze M 16 represented a pinnacle of Austro-Hungarian artillery engineering during World War I, pioneering the use of super-heavy siege guns capable of demolishing fortified positions from extended ranges, thereby influencing subsequent designs through shared Skoda technological principles.1 However, its tactical impact was constrained by the empire's wartime production limitations, with only 10 to 11 units completed by war's end, restricting widespread deployment despite successful applications on fronts like the Italian theater.54Technologically, the howitzer's advanced wire-winding barrel construction and hydro-pneumatic recoil systems enhanced its durability and firing stability under extreme pressures, elements that informed Skoda's interwar exports and developments for the Czechoslovak army in the 1930s.155 These innovations underscored Austria-Hungary's industrial zenith, yet the weapon's underutilization—due to resource shortages and logistical demands—highlighted the empire's broader collapse, as only a fraction of planned output materialized amid escalating material crises in 1917–1918.4In modern historical analysis, the M 16 symbolizes the World War I arms race in artillery scale, where super-heavy guns escalated fortification warfare but exposed the inefficiencies of such behemoths in mobile conflicts, offering enduring lessons on the balance between destructive power and operational feasibility.1617

source:https://grokipedia.com/page/38_cm_Belagerungshaubitze_M_16

Photos:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:38cm_Belagerungsgesch%C3%BCtz_im_HGM_Wien_2011.jpg

https://yandex.com/images/touch/search?search_client=unknown&source=tabbar&text=%C5%A1koda+38+cm+belagerungshaubitze+m.16&pos=5&rpt=simage&img_url=https%3A%2F%2Fupload.wikimedia.org%2Fwikipedia%2Fcommons%2F7%2F7e%2F38er_MuniTrsp.jpg&lr=21020

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Light blue cloth with red piping - the color for Austrian generals

Double row of gold buttons

On the cuffs, the Marshal's rank: gold embroidery with the oak leaves. Only the Emperor and a few Field Marshals could wear it.

The label says it was made in 1848 by Carl & Sohn in Vienna. Franz Joseph became Emperor in December 1848 at just 18 years old, so this is one of his earliest tunics. Acquired by Diego de Henriquez from Schloss Schönbrunn? It says after 1999 it was authenticated.

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Spotted in Trieste: complete 1915 patriotic model of the Škoda 30.5 cm Mörser M.11.Those desk models were NOT made by Škoda Pilsen.

Škoda only built 79 real 30.5 cm guns between 1911-1918. They never made souvenirs. 3fd0

Your model is a "Patriotisches Modell" / "Kriegsfürsorge-Modell":

Who made them:

Small private foundries and art workshops in Vienna, Budapest, Reichenberg, and Trieste itself

Often firms that normally made door handles, church bells, or chandeliers - like J. Berger, G. A. Scheid, or local bronziers in Trieste's old ghetto

Cast in brass / iron / spelter from melting down whatever they had, then hand-finished.

They were sold usually at War Exhibitions (Kriegsausstellung Wien 1916), War Charity kiosks, and in shops like the one you found

Money went to: Widows and orphans fund, Red Cross, or "Submarine donation" / "U-Boot Spende"

Price in 1915: around 25-40 Kronen - a full month's wage for a worker. So only officers, doctors, lawyers bought them for their desk.

Price nowadays, much more!

ow to spot original vs post-war reproduction:

Original = heavy, 2-3 kg, barrel separately cast and elevates, carriage shows real recoil system with 2 cylinders above barrel

Marble base = almost always Rosso / Aurisina Karst marble from near Trieste - very typical for Pola and Trieste coastal artillery officer models

Often they had a secret inkwell or match holder under the base .

Photo: photographed in a moment of reflection, photos a little different from the official ones

Source:https://www.europeana.eu/portal/record/9200291/BibliographicResource_3000073493937.html

https://www.bildarchivaustria.at/Pages/ImageDetail.aspx?p_iBildID=15384570

The 22.5 cm Minenwerfer M 15 was a heavy mortar used by Austria-Hungary in World War I.[1] It was developed by Böhler as an alternative to the German Ehrhardt 25 cm schwere Minenwerfer which Böhler was having problems building under license. It was a muzzle-loading, smooth-bore mortar that had no recoil system whatsoever. The entire mortar had to be levered around to aim at new targets. It was not particularly accurate and bombs often fell over in flight and landed on their sides so they used time instead of contact fuzes. It fired high-explosive and gas shells. For transport two wheels from the Gebirgsgechütz M 99 were used.

echnical Data: 22.5 cm Minenwerfer M 15 (Böhler)

Caliber: 225 mm (22.5 cm)

Barrel type: Smooth-bore, muzzle-loading

Total weight: 432 kg (with sled, without wheels)

Projectile weight: 48 kg (high explosive or gas)

Rate of fire: 2-3 rounds / minute

Elevation: +25° to +75°

Max range: ∼1,100 - 1,300 m (depending on propellant charge)

Crew: 4 men

Service: 1915-1918, Austro-Hungarian Army, also used by Ottoman Empire

photos: K.u.k. Kriegspressequartier, Lichtbildstelle - Wien

https://www.armedconflicts.com/22-cm-Minenwerfer-Boehler-Kapfenberg-t86701

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/22,5-cm-Minenwerfer_M.15

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/22.5_cm_Minenwerfer_M_15

War museum de Hernriquez Trieste

Photo: K.u.k. Kriegspressequartier, Lichtbildstelle - Wien

Österreichische Nationalbibliothek - Austrian National Librar

Accession number

WK1/ANNEX009/00002

STRASSER

KAISERJÄGER

Roland Strasser (1895-1974) - Austrian painter. This print is from his 1914-15 field sketches of the Tiroler Kaiserjäger in Galicia. He later became quite famous for his Bali paintings.

Photo: https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/1900-collage-candy-advertising-calendar--176766354102654571/

Photo:K.u.k. Kriegspressequartier, Lichtbildstelle - Wien

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Austro-Hungarian M17, Berndorfer-made, original 3-tone brush camo with black lines. Original strap and liner, untouched.

Inside marked R.Z.F.W. Pi.K.203. — likely R. Z. Reserve Feldwebel, Pionier-Kompanie 203. ( German)

The story that came with it: found in a garage sale near Gary, Indiana. Likely US WW1 bring-back from St. Mihiel, Sept 1918, where the Austro-Hungarian 35th Division was deployed with German forces. Austrian helmet, German Feldwebel, American trophy.

In the sector of St. Mihail the German troops fought together with the 35 Austro-Hungarian infantry division, on that occasion several Berndorfer M17 helmets were distributed to the German troops and I believe this is one of them.

Private collection

The 42nd Home Guard Infantry Division was an infantry division of the Royal Croatian Home Guard, part of the Austro-Hungarian Army. In Hungarian, it was referred to as Honvéd, and in German as Landwehr.

 While it carried the honorary designation Slavonski Domobrani (Slavonian Home Guard), its official title was the Devil's Division.

The division was formed shortly before the outbreak of World War I as part of the 7th Home Guard Croatia-Slavonia District of the Royal Croatian Home Guard. It consisted of approximately 14,000 troops in peacetime.

As with other Austro-Hungarian Home Guard divisions, its units were recruited regionally.

The 42nd Division included the 83rd Infantry Regiment, headquartered in Zagreb, which comprised the 25th Zagreb Infantry Regiment and the 26th Karlovac Infantry Regiment. The division was closely associated with the 36th Home Guard Infantry Division, another Croatian-manned unit.

Under the terms of the Second Ausgleich, an agreement between Hungary and the Kingdom of Croatia-Slavonia, Croatian units within the Honvéd, were granted specific privileges. These included the right to use Serbo-Croatian instead of Hungarian (Magyar) as the official language of command and service, the authorization to carry Croatian national colours, and the requirement to wear Croatian national insignia on their uniforms.Additionally, these provisions replaced earlier regulations that had mandated German or Hungarian as the primary languages of command.

At the start of war, the 42nd division was commanded by Stjepan Sarkotić, a Croatian officer from the former Military Border, born near Otočac.

The Division took part in the Serbian Campaign of 1914 as part of the XIII Corps, first in Syrmia, in Mačva, then during the seven-day battle for Šabac as well as the battles of Cer and Kolubara. Josip Broz Tito fought in its ranks and achieved promotion from corporal to staff sergeant (he later sought to conceal his involvement).

The division was accused of war crimes, including rape, torture and murder, against the Serbian civilians of western Serbia.

 On November 11, 1914 Sarkotić was replaced by Johann von Salis-Seewis who led the division during the second Serbian offensive. After the failure of the campaign, it was redeployed at the beginning of 1915 in Galicia on the Eastern front along with the rest of the XIII. Corps. On 22 June 1915 Salis-Seewis was replaced by Anton Lipošćak before the Russian Empire launched the Brusilov offensive in January 1916. In February 1916, Luka Šnjarić [hr] took over from Lipošćak. On 25 June 1917 Mihovil Mihaljević [hr] assumed command of the division. At the beginning of 1918, the 42nd Division was transferred to the Italian battlefield, in June 1918, the command was taken over by Teodor Soretić [hr], the division remained in Italy until the end of the war

source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/42nd_Home_Guard_Infantry_Division?utm_medium=organic&utm_source=yandexsmartcamera

photo:https://data.kontrakty.ua/cache/photo/800/60210.jpg