The ''k.k. Landesschützen'' (in English, "imperial-royal country 'or'' provincialriflemen") – from 16 January 1917 ''Kaiserschützen'' ("imperial riflemen") – were three regiments of Austro-Hungarian mountain infantry during the '' kaiserliche und königliche Monarchie'' (the "imperial and royal monarchy"). As a rule, only

Tyrol Tyrol ( ; historically the Tyrole; ; ) is a historical region in the Alps of Northern Italy and western Austria. The area was historically the core of the County of Tyrol, part of the Holy Roman Empire, Austrian Empire and Austria-Hungary, f ...

ean and

Vorarlberg Vorarlberg ( ; ; , , or ) is the westernmost States of Austria, state () of Austria. It has the second-smallest geographical area after Vienna and, although it also has the second-smallest population, it is the state with the second-highest popu ...

men were enlisted in the Landesschützen.

History

The Tyrolean ''Landesschützen'' ("territorial infantry") were established on 19 December 1870 with ten battalions. Two companies of mounted infantry were added in 1872. In 1906, they were reorganized on the pattern of the Italian ''

Alpini The Alpini are the Italian Army's specialist mountain infantry. Part of the army's infantry corps, the speciality distinguished itself in combat during World War I and World War II. Currently the active Alpini units are organized in two operati ...

'' as mountain troops. Despite being territorial forces, the ''Kaiserschützen'' were used in the First World War in many theatres and took heavy losses.

Deployments 1914–1918

* Galicia:

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, Gródek,

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, Pilica, Limanowa Lapanow, Gorlice Tarnów, Carpathia *

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: Monte Cristallo, Monte Piano, Falzarego, Tofana, Col di Lana,

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, amongst others The ''Kaiserschützen'' were deployed principally in opposition to the Italian ''Alpini''. By the date of the armistice, 4 November 1918, the second and third regiments were positioned on Zugna Torta, over Monte Corno, up to Monte Spil. The first regiment were in the

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Military awards

Soldiers of the ''Kaiserschützen'' received numerous military decorations:

Awards to Officers

* 5 awards of the Military Maria Theresa Order * 4 awards of the Order of the Iron Crown, 2nd Class * 2 awards of the military merit crosses, 2nd Class * 29 awards of the Leopold Order * 166 awards of the Order of the Iron Crown, 3rd Class * 563 awards of the military merit cross, 3rd Class * 427 awards of the Signum Laudis in silver * 1,111 awards of the Signum Laudis in bronze * 13 awards of the Golden Medal of Honor for officers * 14 awards of the silver valor medal for officers

Awards to Other Ranks

* 130 awards of the Golden Medal of Honor * 2,797 Silver Medal of Valor, 1st Class * 9,820 awards of the Silver Medal of Valor, 2nd Class * 13,025 awards of the Bronze Medal of Honor

History

Deployments 1914–1918

Military awards

Awards to Officers

Awards to Other Ranks

Further reading