Austria-Hungary
The army of the Dual monarchy was divided into 3 parts; the Common or Regular Army, The Landwehr (German Reserves) and the Hoved (Hungarian Reserves). Generally speaking, this army was the most disorganized in Europe and thus the least prepared for war. The last serious war against a great nation had been in 1866 and that was a disaster. The army had a tradition of posting conscripts far from their home areas so that they could not ferment revolution but this lead to low morale, especially so when most officers were not of the same language as their men. The leadership was very much in a “policing the empire” mindset and lacked much of the doctrine, machineguns and other equipment necessary for modern warfare. The army was huge with the Common army at 16 Corps of 2 Infantry and 1 Cavalry Division; the reserves could form as much more.
Infantry Division
Headquarters 1 HQ, 1 Rifle, 1 Horse
2 Infantry Brigades each
Headquarters 1 HQ
2 Infantry Regiments each
Headquarters 1 HQ
3 Infantry Battalions each
Headquarters 1 HQ, 1 MMG
4 Infantry Companies each 3 Rifle
Division Cavalry 6 Rifle, 6 Horse
1 Artillery Brigade 1 FAO, 5 76H, 5 Limbers, 1 104H, Limber
Cavalry Division
Headquarters 1 HQ
2 Cavalry Brigades
Headquarters 1 HQ
2 Cavalry Regiments
Headquarters 1 HQ
6 Cavalry Squadrons 3 Rifle, 3 Horse
1 Artillery Battalion 1 FAO, 3 76H, 3 Limbers
MG Battalion 2 MMG, 2 Wagons
Belgium
The nucleus of the modern Belgian army was laid in 1909 with the first standing professional army being stood up. By 1914, the army was half way to its goal of a professional standing army that would be capable of maintaining Belgium’s jealously guarded neutrality. At that point the Imperial German army was unleashed on its flank after it deployed to guard against attack from Holland. The Belgian army gave a good account of themselves but committed piecemeal it was slowly pushed off Belgian soil. In 1914 the army consisted of 6 infantry divisions.
Infantry Division
Headquarters 1 HQ
3 Infantry Brigades
Headquarters 1 HQ
1 Infantry Regiment
Headquarters 1 HQ
3 Infantry Battalions
Headquarters 1 HQ
4 Infantry Companies 3 Rifle
1 Infantry Regiment
Headquarters 1 HQ, 2 MMG
3 Infantry Battalions
Headquarters 1 HQ, 1 MMG
4 Infantry Companies 3 Rifle
1 Divisional Cavalry Regiment
Headquarters 1 HQ
4 Squadrons 3 Rifle, 3 Horse
1 Artillery Regiment 1 FAO, 6 105H, 6 Limber
Divisional Engineer Company 3 Engr
Cavalry Division
Headquarters 1 HQ
2 Cavalry Brigades
Headquarters 1 HQ
2 Cavalry Regiment
Headquarters 1 HQ
4 Squadrons 3 Rifle, 3 Horse
1 Artillery Group 1 FAO, 3 75H, 6 Limber
Bicycle Infantry Battalion
Headquarters 1 HQ
4 Infantry Companies 3 Rifle, 3 Bicycle
Divisional Engineer Company 3 Engr, 3 Bicycle
Britain
The British army was a small volunteer force in 1914 in comparison to the continental powers. The army itself acted as a police force within the British Empire and as shock troops to stiffen Imperial troops on campaign. There was also an Imperial army made up of troops from the various colonies and stationed in those colonies. The home army consisted of 3 Corps of 2 infantry plus 1 cavalry division as army troops.
Infantry Division (1914)
Headquarters 1 HQ
3 Infantry Brigades
Headquarters 1 HQ
4 Infantry Battalions
Headquarters 1 HQ, 1 MMG
4 Infantry Companies 3 Rifle
Divisional Cavalry 3 Rifle, 3 Horse
Divisional Guides Company 3 Rifle, 3 Bicycle
2 Divisional Engineer Companies 3 Engr
2 Artillery Brigade (total) 2 FAO, 3 18 Pdr, 3 4.5”, 1 60 Pdr, 7 Limber
Infantry Division (1915)
Headquarters 1 HQ
3 Infantry Brigades
Headquarters 1 HQ
4 Infantry Battalions
Headquarters 1 HQ, 2 MMG
4 Infantry Companies 3 Rifle
Divisional Cavalry 3 Rifle, 3 Horse
Divisional Guides Company 3 Rifle, 3 Bicycle
3 Divisional Engineer Companies 3 Engr
4 Artillery Brigade (total) 2 FAO, 3 18 Pdr, 3 4.5”, 6 Limber
Infantry Division (1916)
Headquarters 1 HQ
3 Infantry Brigades
Headquarters 1 HQ, 8 MMG, 3 3’M
4 Infantry Battalions
Headquarters 1 HQ
4 Infantry Companies 3 Rifle
Divisional Cavalry 3 Rifle, 3 Horse
Divisional Guides Company 3 Rifle, 3 Bicycle
3 Divisional Engineer Companies 3 Engr
3 Divisional Pioneer Companies 3 Pioneer
4 Artillery Brigade (total) 2 FAO, 3 18 Pdr, 3 4.5”, 3 6”M, 9 Limber
Infantry Division (1917)
Headquarters 1 HQ
3 Infantry Brigades
Headquarters 1 HQ, 8 MMG, 3 3’M
4 Infantry Battalions
Headquarters 1 HQ
4 Infantry Companies 3 Rifle
Divisional Cavalry 3 Rifle, 3 Horse
Divisional Guides Company 3 Rifle, 3 Bicycle
3 Divisional Engineer Companies 3 Engr
3 Divisional Pioneer Companies 3 Pioneer
1 MG Company 3 MMG
2 Artillery Brigade (total) 2 FAO, 3 18 Pdr, 3 4.5”, 3 6”M, 9 Limber
British Infantry Division (Western Front 1918)
Headquarters 1 HQ
3 Infantry Brigades
Headquarters 1 HQ, 8 MMG, 3 3’M
3 Infantry Battalions
Headquarters 1 HQ
4 Infantry Companies 3 Rifle
3 Divisional Engineer Companies 3 Engr
3 Divisional Pioneer Companies 3 Pioneer
1 MG Company 3 MMG
2 Artillery Brigade (total) 2 FAO, 3 18 Pdr, 6 4.5”, 3 6”M, 9 Limber
British Infantry Division (Other Fronts 1918)
Headquarters 1 HQ
3 Infantry Brigades
Headquarters 1 HQ, 8 MMG, 3 3’M
3 Infantry Battalions
Headquarters 1 HQ
4 Infantry Companies 3 Rifle
Divisional Cavalry 3 Rifle, 3 Horse
Divisional Guides Company 3 Rifle, 3 Bicycle
3 Divisional Engineer Companies 3 Engr
3 Divisional Pioneer Companies 3 Pioneer
1 MG Company 3 MMG
2 Artillery Brigade (total) 2 FAO, 3 18 Pdr, 6 4.5”, 3 6”M, 9 Limber
ANZAC/Canadian Infantry Division (1918)
Headquarters 1 HQ
3 Infantry Brigades
Headquarters 1 HQ, 8 MMG, 3 3’M
4 Infantry Battalions
Headquarters 1 HQ
4 Infantry Companies 3 Rifle
3 Divisional Engineer Companies 3 Engr
3 Divisional Pioneer Companies 3 Pioneer
1 MG Company 3 MMG
2 Artillery Brigade (total) 2 FAO, 3 18 Pdr, 6 4.5”, 3 6”M, 9 Limber
Cavalry Division
Headquarters 1 HQ
3 Cavalry Brigades
Headquarters 1 HQ
3 Cavalry Regiments
Headquarters 1 HQ
3 Cavalry Squadrons 3 Rifle, 3 Horse
3 Artillery Brigades 1 FAO, 4 13 Pdr, 4 Limbers
Mounted Engr Squadron 3 Engr, 3 Horse
Cavalry Division (1915)
Headquarters 1 HQ
3 Cavalry Brigades
Headquarters 1 HQ
3 Cavalry Regiments
Headquarters 1 HQ
3 Cavalry Squadrons 3 Rifle, 3 Horse
1 MG Squadron 3 MMG, 3 Wagon
3 Artillery Brigades 1 FAO, 4 13 Pdr, 4 Limbers
Mounted Engr Squadron 3 Engr, 3 Horse
Motor MG Battery (1916) 2 Armored Cars
Heavy Motor MG Battery (1916) 6 Tanks
Motor MG Corps Battalion (1917, 14 were raised, 3, 6, 9 were Whippet tanks)
Headquarters 1 HQ
3 MG Companies each 5 Tanks
Bulgaria
Bulgaria entered WW1 on the side of the Central Powers in 1915 in order to extract revenge for her defeat by Serbia during the Balkan Wars. A tough determined and experienced opponent, they gave a good account of themselves in this limited theatre. Bulgaria had 15 infantry divisions and 1 cavalry division ready to go in 1915.
Infantry Division
Headquarters 1 HQ, 1 Rifle, 1 Horse
2 Infantry Brigades and 1 Reserve Brigade each
Headquarters 1 HQ, 1 FAO
2 Infantry Regiments each
Headquarters 1 HQ, 1 MMG
4 Infantry Battalions each
Headquarters 1 HQ
4 Infantry Companies each 3 Rifle
1 Howitzer battery 1 105H, 1 Limber
2 Mountain Batteries each 1 75H, 1 Limber
2 Division Cavalry Squadrons each 2 Rifle, 2 Horse
1 Pioneer Battalion
Headquarters 1 HQ
3 Pioneer Companies each 3 Engr
Cavalry Division
Headquarters 1 HQ
2 Cavalry Brigades
Headquarters 1 HQ
2 Cavalry Regiments
Headquarters 1 HQ, 1 MMG, 1 Wagon
6 Cavalry Squadrons 3 Rifle, 3 Horse
1 Horse Artillery Battalion 1 FAO, 3 75H, 3 Limbers
France
The French Army entered the war with 20 Corps, 1 Colonial Corps and over 50 reserve Infantry divisions. Each corps consisted of 2 infantry divisions, 1 Corps Engineer Company, 1 field artillery regiment, 1 cavalry regiment and a howitzer regiment. The French army was trained very much in the Napoleonic tradition preferring to close with the bayonet over using firepower.
Infantry Division (1914)
Headquarters 1 HQ
2 Infantry Brigades each
Headquarters 1 HQ
2 Infantry Regiments each
Headquarters 1 HQ, 1 Rifle, 1 Horse
3 Infantry Battalions each
Headquarters 1 HQ, 1 MMG
4 Infantry Companies each 3 Rifle
Division Cavalry Squadron 2 Rifle, 2 Horse
1 Artillery Regiment 1 FAO, 9 75H, 9 Limbers
1 Engineer Company 4 Engr
Reserve Infantry Division (1914)
Headquarters 1 HQ
2 Infantry Brigades each
Headquarters 1 HQ
2 Infantry Regiments each
Headquarters 1 HQ
3 Infantry Battalions each
Headquarters 1 HQ, 1 MMG
4 Infantry Companies each 3 Rifle
Division Cavalry Regiment
Headquarters 1 HQ, 1 MMG, 1 Wagon
4 Squadrons each 3 Rifle, 3 Horse
1 Artillery Regiment 1 FAO, 9 75H, 9 Limbers
1 Engineer Company 4 Engr
Note Brought up to regular division standard 1915.
Infantry Division (1915)
Headquarters 1 HQ
3 Infantry Brigades each
Headquarters 1 HQ
2 Infantry Regiments each
Headquarters 1 HQ, 1 37IG
3 Infantry Battalions each
Headquarters 1 HQ, 2 MMG
4 Infantry Companies each 3 Rifle
Division Cavalry Squadron 2 Rifle, 2 Horse
1 Artillery Regiment 1 FAO, 9 75H, 3 58M, 12 Limbers
2 Engineer Company 4 Engr
Infantry Division (1917)
Headquarters 1 HQ
3 Infantry Regiments each
Headquarters 1 HQ, 1 37IG
3 Infantry Battalions each
Headquarters 1 HQ, 4 MMG
4 Infantry Companies each 3 Rifle
Division Cavalry Squadron 2 Rifle, 2 Horse
1 Artillery Regiment 1 FAO, 9 75H, 3 58M, 1 155H, 13 Limbers
2 Engineer Company 4 Engr
Cavalry Division
Headquarters 1 HQ
2 Cavalry Brigades
Headquarters 1 HQ
2 Cavalry Regiments
Headquarters 1 HQ, 1 MMG, 1 Wagon
4 Cavalry Squadrons 3 Rifle, 3 Horse
1 Horse Artillery Brigade 1 FAO, 2 75H, 2 Limbers
1 Cyclists Group 5 Scout, 5 Bicycle
Corps Artillery Regiment 1 FAO, 12 75H, 12 Limbers
Corps Howitzer Group 1 FAO, 3 155H, 3 Limbers
Corps Cavalry Regiment
Headquarters 1 HQ, 1 MMG, 1 Wagon
4 Squadrons each 3 Rifle, 3 Horse
Armored Groupment (1916 one type of tank in each group)
2 Groups 4 Tanks
Light Tank Regiment
Headquarters 1 HQ
3 Battalions each
Headquarters 1 HQ
3 Companies each 4 FT17
Germany
In 1914, Germany’s army was the measuring stick which all other armies were judged by. Consisting of 25 Army Corps which, in wartime, split into a Regular and Reserve Corps this army was huge at mobilization. Each of these Corps would have 2 infantry divisions, 1 Jager battalion, 1 pioneer company, 1 Foot Artillery regiment (155mm). Additionally, there were 11 cavalry divisions on the main axis of advance.
Infantry Division (1914)
Headquarters 1 HQ
2 Infantry Brigades each
Headquarters 1 HQ
2 Infantry Regiments each
Headquarters 1 HQ, 2 MMG
3 Infantry Battalions each
Headquarters 1 HQ
4 Infantry Companies each 3 Rifle
Divisional Cavalry (2 Squadrons) 6 Rifle, 6 Horse
1 Artillery Brigade (2 Regiments) 2 FAO, 9 77H, 3 105H, 12 Limbers
1 Pioneer Field Company 4 Engr
Reserve Infantry Division (1914)
Headquarters 1 HQ
2 Infantry Brigades each
Headquarters 1 HQ
2 Infantry Regiments each
Headquarters 1 HQ, 2 MMG
3 Infantry Battalions each
Headquarters 1 HQ
4 Infantry Companies each 3 Rifle
Divisional Cavalry (4 Squadrons) 12 Rifle, 12 Horse
1 Artillery Regiment 1 FAO, 6 77H, 6 Limbers
1 Pioneer Field Company 4 Engr
Note In 1915 these use the regular division ORBAT.
Infantry Division (1916)
Headquarters 1 HQ
2 Infantry Brigades each
Headquarters 1 HQ
2 Infantry Regiments each
Headquarters 1 HQ, 3 Storm Troop
3 Infantry Battalions each
Headquarters 1 HQ, 2 MMG, 1 7.6MW
4 Infantry Companies each 3 Rifle
Divisional Cavalry (2 Squadrons) 6 Rifle, 6 Horse
1 Artillery Brigade (2 Regiments) 2 FAO, 9 77H, 3 105H, 12 Limbers
1 Pioneer Field Company 4 Engr
Infantry Division (1917)
Headquarters 1 HQ
3 Infantry Regiments each
Headquarters 1 HQ, 3 Storm Troop
3 Infantry Battalions each
Headquarters 1 HQ, 2 MMG, 1 7.6MW
4 Infantry Companies each 3 Rifle
Divisional Cavalry (2 Squadrons) 6 Rifle, 6 Horse
Divisional Artillery Regiment 1 FAO, 3 77H, 3 105H, 6 Limbers
1 Pioneer Field Company 4 Engr
Cavalry Division
Headquarters 1 HQ
3 Cavalry Brigades
Headquarters 1 HQ
2 Cavalry Regiments
Headquarters 1 HQ
4 Cavalry Squadrons 3 Rifle, 3 Horse
1 Artillery Battalion 1 FAO, 3 77H, 3 Limbers
1-3 Jager Battalions
Headquarters 1 HQ
4 Infantry Companies each 3 Rifle
MG Company 2 MMG
Bicycle Company 3 Scout, 3 Bicycle
1 Cavalry MG Battery 2 MMG, 2 Wagons
Note In 1916 regiments receive a MG squadron of 2 MMG, 2 Wagons.
Corps Jager Battalion
Headquarters 1 HQ
4 Infantry Companies each 3 Rifle
MG Company 2 MMG
Bicycle Company 3 Scout, 3 Bicycle
Corps Artillery Regiment 1 FAO, 4 155H, 4 Limbers
Corps Pioneer Field Company 4 Engr
Storm Battalion (1916)
Headquarters 1 HQ
2 Assault Companies each 3 Engr
Support Company 2 MMG, 2 Trench Mortar, 1 FT, 2 37IG
Storm Battalion (1917)
Headquarters 1 HQ
2-5 Assault Companies each 3 Rifle
Support Company 2 MMG, 2 Trench Mortar, 1 FT, 2 76.2IG
Panzer Detachment (1917, 10 are raised) 1 Tank
Note Detachments 1 to 4 use A7V, 11-16 use Mark IV
Mountain Jager Battalion
Headquarters 1 HQ
4 Infantry Companies each 3 Rifle
MG Company 4 MMG
Bicycle Company 3 Scout, 3 Bicycle
Mountain Artillery Battalion (1916) 1 FAO, 3 75H, 3 Pack Horse
Note Formed to support German Mountain Jager battalions in Romania and Austria.
Italy
Italy entered the war in May 1915 hoping to capitalize on the Eastern focus of the Austro-Hungarians. Unfortunately, for the Italians they found themselves fighting over the worst terrain in Europe and against elite German Mountain troops stiffing the Imperial and Royal Army. Italy raised 12 Corps of 2 divisions, 1 Bersaglieri Regiment of 3 battalions, 1 cavalry regiment, 3 cavalry divisions, as well as independent Bersaglieri and Alpini units.