User:Buckshot06/Structure of the Austrian Armed Forces in 1989

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On 1 March 1978, the "Wehrgesetz 1978" became law, which encompassed the "Heeresgliederung 1978" plan to grow the Austrian Armed Forces to 384,000 (84,000 active, 300,000 militia) by the early 1990s to be able to fully employ the Austrian de:Raumverteidigung's concept. A total of 30 new Landwehrstammregimenter were to be raised. On 6 October 1987, the Austrian government enacted the "Heeresgliederung 1987", which instructed the armed forces to stop the growth of the militia at 200,000. Afterwards only the militia's infantry grew, making 1988-1989 the timeframe Austria's armed forces reached their maximum strength. On 29 May 1990 the "Wehrgesetz 1978" was cancelled and the army began to shrink, which accelerated with the Gesamte Rechtsvorschrift für Wehrgesetz 1990, Fassung vom 31.12.1992.

Raumverteidigung

tactical nuclear weapons to block the enemy approach routes through Upper Austria.[1] To prevent the use of tactical nuclear weapons on Austrian territory the Austrian military developed the Raumverteidigung (Area Defense) concept, which envisioned that Austrian forces would delay, harass and decimate Warsaw Pact forces with determined, sustained and costly resistance along their expected axis of advance.[1][2][3][4][5]

Strategic considerations

The Austrian military assumed that Warsaw Pact forces would include

Tulln and Krems, from where the enemy forces would have turned West to reach the Sankt Pölten area. In parallel the 5th Hungarian Army, consisting of Hungarian units, Soviet Central Group of Forces and Southern Group of Forces units, and Czechoslovak units based in Slovakia was expected to strike from Sopron through the Wiener Wald towards Sankt Pölten.[3][4]

After taking Sankt Pölten the Austrian armed forces expected the combined Warsaw Pact forces to strike West to take possession of the

4th Alpine Army Corps.[4]

Initial dispositions

In 1978 the Austrian Armed Forces enacted its new concept of Raumverteidigung. The Raumverteidigung divided the entire nation into Key Zones (Schlüsselzonen), Area Security Zones (Raumsicherungszonen), and Subzones (Teilzonen). Key zones were set up in those areas of the national territory, which an aggressor had to take possession of in order to achieve his military goals. Area security zones were set up to deny an aggressor the possibility to bypass key zones and prevent the massing, movement, supply, and maintenance of enemy units. Operationally the aim was to block the direct march lines through layered defenses in the key zones and to prevent an aggressor from freely using the space in the area security zones through mobile warfare. Both types of zones were to be defended by militia formations.[3][4][6][5]

The four subzones formed the Central Area in Austria's mountainous interior, which was outside of the anticipated main axis of a Warsaw Pact advance. In the event of an attack and an occupation of most of Austria, one or more the sub zones would form the national territory, which would justify the continuation of Austria as a subject of international law. The central area was therefore of essential importance and had to be defended at its entrances. The Army Command and Austrian government would have retreat to a bunker complex in St Johann im Pongau in the central area.[1] Furthermore the central area acted as main depot of Austria's war stocks. The capital Vienna would not have been defended and was therefore excluded from defense preparations.[3][4][5]

Geographically the country was divided into 34 areas:

  • 10 Key zones
  • 19 Area security zones
  • 1 reinforced key area designated Block Zone 33 (Sperrzone 33)
  • 4 Sub zones / Central Area

Each key zone and area security zone, and Block Zone 33 were overseen during peacetime by a Landwehrstammregiment, which were tasked with training the militia forces needed for the defense of their assigned zone.[5] The Landwehrstammregiments consisted of a staff company, training companies, a supply train, and mobilization depots. Some of the Landwehrstammregiment also trained and fielded an active Jäger battalion. In case of war the Landwehrstammregiments would have reformed as Landwehr Regiments with various types of militia battalions and companies, allowing the regiments to fight delaying actions from fortified positions as well has hit and run attacks on enemy formations trying to pass through their zone. The Landwehr regiments formed the area-bound Landwehr and fielded the following types of Landwehr units:[3][4]

  • Landwehr battalions (Landwehrbataillone) tasked with defending their zone
  • Blocking battalions and companies (Sperrbataillone and Sperrkompanien) tasked to man more than 500 bunkers and fortified positions[1]
  • Jagdkampf battalions and companies (Jagdkampfbataillone and Jagdkampfkompanien) tasked to fight behind enemy lines and disrupt enemy supply lines
  • River-blocking companies (Flusssperrkompanien) tasked with blocking river fords
  • Guard companies (Wachkompanien) tasked to guard key infrastructure
  • Guard-blocking companies (Wachsperrkompanien) tasked to guard and defend key transport infrastructure, and to prevent the enemy from capturing it
  • Stationary artillery batteries (Artilleriebatterie ortsfest) with
    M2 155mm howitzers
    in bunkers to lay suppressing fire on enemy approach routes

Operationally the country was divided initially into three operational areas (Operationsraum), which were commanded by the Army Command.[4]

The Air Division and army's support troops were under direct Army Command. In wartime the operational commands would command nine brigades, which formed the mobile Landwehr. The mobile Landwehr was the Austrian armed forces reserve, which once the intentions of the opponent were determined, could be used to counterattack enemy formations. The mobile Landwehr consisted of six light Jäger brigades, which would only be fully manned during wartime, and three Panzergrenadier brigades, equipped with main battle tanks and infantry fighting vehicles, which were fully manned at all times. The staffs of the six Jäger brigades would have been formed upon war by the armed forces military commands, which in peacetime had territorial functions in the states. The three Panzergrenadier brigades were assigned to the 1st Panzergrenadier Division and based along the Danube valley from Vienna to Linz.[3][4]

Each Austrian military command was numbered from 1 to 9, with all zones and units assigned to the command or part of the command starting with the same number. The only exception was the 9th Panzergrenadier Brigade, which carried the number of the Vorarlberg Military Command in the extreme West of the country, but was based near Vienna in the East of the country and manned by conscripts from Vienna. The Austrian military commands of the Raumverteidigung concept, their assigned number, zones and main units during peacetime were:[3]

  • Burgenland Military Command - No. 1, in Eisenstadt
    • 1st Jäger Brigade, in Eisenstadt
    • 11th Landwehrstammregiment, in Neusiedl (Area Security Zone 11)
    • 12th Landwehrstammregiment, in Eisenstadt (Area Security Zone 12)
    • 14th Landwehrstammregiment, in Pinkafeld (Key Zone 14)
  • Vienna Military Command - No. 2, in Vienna
    • 2nd Jäger Brigade, in Vienna (in wartime assigned to Lower Austria Military Command)
    • 21st Landwehrstammregiment, in Vienna (Area Security Zone 21 in Lower Austria)
  • Lower Austria Military Command - No. 3, in Sankt Pölten
    • 3rd Panzergrenadier Brigade, in Mautern an der Donau (based in the Area Security Zone 31)[7]
    • 9th Panzergrenadier Brigade, in Götzendorf an der Leitha (based in the Area Security Zone 21)
    • 311th Jagdkampfbataillon 311, in Allentsteig (Area Security Zone 31, in peacetime part of the 32nd Landwehrstammregiment)
    • 32nd Landwehrstammregiment, in Korneuburg (Area Security Zone 32)
    • 33rd Landwehrstammregiment, in Mautern an der Donau (Block Zone 33)
    • 34th Landwehrstammregiment, in
      Wöllersdorf
      (Key Zone 34)
    • 35th Landwehrstammregiment, in Amstetten (Key Zone 35)[8][6]
    • 36th Landwehrstammregiment (Area Security Zone 36, formation suspended with the 1987 reform)
  • Upper Austria Military Command - No. 4, in Linz
    • 4th Panzergrenadier Brigade, in Linz (covering Block Zone 45)
    • 41st Landwehrstammregiment, in Steyr (Block Zone 41)
    • 42nd Landwehrstammregiment, in Linz (Area Security Zone 42)
    • 43rd Landwehrstammregiment, in Wels (Area Security Zone 43)
    • 44th Landwehrstammregiment, in Kirchdorf an der Krems (Area Security Zone 44)
  • Styria Military Command - No. 5, in Graz
    • 5th Jäger Brigade, in Graz
    • 51st Landwehrstammregiment (Area Security Zone 51, formation suspended with the 1987 reform)
    • 52nd Landwehrstammregiment, in Feldbach (Area Security Zone 52)
    • 53rd Landwehrstammregiment, in Straß (Key Zone 53)[9]
    • 54th Landwehrstammregiment, in Graz (Key Zone 54)
    • 55th Landwehrstammregiment, in Sankt Michael (Subzone 55)
    • 56th Landwehrstammregiment (Subzone 56, formation suspended with the 1987 reform)
  • Tyrol Military Command - No. 6, in Innsbruck
  • Carinthia Military Command - No. 7, in Klagenfurt
    • 7th Jäger Brigade, in Klagenfurt
    • 71st Landwehrstammregiment, in Wolfsberg (Key Zone 71)
    • 72nd Landwehrstammregiment, in Klagenfurt (Area Security Zone 72)
    • 73rd Landwehrstammregiment, in Villach (Key Zone 73)
    • 74th Landwehrstammregiment, in Spittal an der Drau (Area Security Zone 74)
  • Salzburg Military Command - No. 8, in Salzburg
  • Vorarlberg Military Command - No. 9, in Bregenz
    • 91st Landwehrstammregiment, in Lochau (Area Security Zone 91)

Army Command

  • Army Command would retreat to a bunker in St Johann im Pongau to the South of Salzburg
    • Command Battalion
    • Army Signal Regiment in St Johann im Pongau
    • SIGINT
      Battalion
    • 1st Logistic Regiment

Vienna Military Command

  • Vienna Military Command' in Vienna
    • Staff Battalion Wien
    • Guard Battalion
    • 21st Landwehr (Territorial Army) Regiment in Southeastern Lower Austria and Vienna (Raumsicherungszone 21)
      • Staff Company
      • 211th Landwehr Battalion
      • 213th Landwehr Battalion
      • 2x Light Infantry Companies (Jagdkampfkompanien)
      • 3x Guard Companies
      • 2x Blocking Companies
      • 1x Guard-blocking Company
      • 21st Engineer Company
      • Logistic Company

I Army Corps

I Army Corps Area of Operations
  • I Army Corps in Graz
    • Command Company
    • 2nd Logistic Regiment
    • 2nd Engineer Battalion
    • 2nd Signal Battalion
    • 2nd Air-defense Battalion (18x
      Pinzgauer AP712
      )

1st Panzergrenadier Division

1st Panzergrenadier Division Structure

Burgenland Military Command

Niederösterreich Military Command

Steiermark Military Command

II Army Corps

II Army Corps Area of Operations
  • II Army Corps in Salzburg
    • Command Company
    • 3rd Logistic Regiment
    • 3rd Engineer Battalion
    • 3rd Signal Battalion
    • 3rd Air-defense Battalion (18x
      Pinzgauer AP712
      )

Oberösterreich Military Command

  • Oberösterreich Military Command in Hörsching tasked with defending Upper Austria
    • Staff Battalion Oberösterreich
    • 41st Landwehr (Territorial Army) Regiment
      • Staff Company
      • 411th Blocking Battalion (Sperrbataillon 411)
      • 412th Light Infantry Battalion (Jagdkampfbataillon 412)
      • 41st Blocking Company
      • Guard Company
      • Guard-blocking Company
      • River-blocking Company Mauthausen
      • River-blocking Company Linz
      • Fortification Artillery Battery
        M2 155mm howitzers
        )
      • 41st Anti-tank Company
      • 41st Engineer Company
      • Logistic Company
    • 42nd Landwehr (Territorial Army) Regiment in Northern Upper Austria (Raumsicherungszone 42)
      • Staff Company
      • 421st Blocking Battalion (Sperrbataillon 421)
      • 422nd Blocking Battalion (Sperrbataillon 422)
      • 423rd Light Infantry Battalion (Jagdkampfbataillon 423)
      • River-blocking Company Brandstatt
      • Fortification Artillery Battery
        M2 155mm howitzers
        )
      • 42nd Engineer Company
      • Logistic Company
    • 44th Landwehr (Territorial Army) Regiment in Central Upper Austria
      • Staff Company
      • Light Infantry Company (Jagdkampfkompanie)
      • 5x Blocking Companies
      • 2x Guard Companies
      • 44th Engineer Company
      • Logistic Company

Tirol Military Command

Kärnten Military Command

Salzburg Military Command

Vorarlberg Military Command

Air Division

See also

Bibliographical notes

  • The book about 50 years of Austria's Armed Forces published by the Landesverteidigungsakademie (Defense University,
    ISBN 3-902455-03-9
    ) from page 671 to 697 looks at the "Strukturentwicklung des Bundesheeres von der „Wende“ 1989/90 bis zum Jahr 2003", choosing 1989/90 as one of the key years for the structural development of the Austrian Armed Forces. (Other years relevant 1962/63 Bundesheerreform, 1978 Raumverteidigung, 2003/04 Heeresreform).
  • Aspects of Heeresgliederung 1978, Heeresgliederung 1987 and Raumverteidigung ([1], [2], [3], [4], etc.),
  • doctoral theses about these topics (i.e).
  • Die Geschichte der 9. Panzergrenadierbrigade in Wort und Bild von 1955 bis 1995 [5]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Theuretsbacher, Wilhelm. "Im Kalten Krieg drohte Österreich atomare Vernichtung". Kurier. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  2. ^ Seledec, Walter. "Das Bundesheer im Kalten Krieg". ORF - Austrian National TV. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  3. ^
    ISBN 978-3-205-78469-2
    .
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h Lampersberger, Thomas. "Der Weg zur Raumverteidigung 3". Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  5. ^ a b c d Steiger, Andreas. "Feuertaufe für die Raumverteidigung - RVÜ79". Truppendienst. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  6. ^ a b Gerold Keusch, Rudolf Halbartschlager. "Das entscheidende Gelände der Raumverteidigung 1". Truppendienst. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  7. ^ "Die Geschichte der 3. Panzergernadierbrigade" (PDF). Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  8. ^ Häusler. "Geländebefahrbarkeit der Schlüsselzone 35" (PDF). Geologischen Bundesanstalt. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  9. ^ 160 Jahre Garnison Straß (PDF). Bundesministeriums für Landesverteidigung und Sport. pp. 42–45. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  10. ^ "3. Panzergrenadierbrigade Die "Dritte" ist bald Geschichte".
  11. ^ https://www.noen.at/horn/politiker-sollen-horner-kaserne-retten-top-4307308
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