IR 1

The Emperor’s Regiment. Usually, the units marked with number 1 (infantry regiment, hussar regiment, etc.) were named after the ruler, and the ruler was the owner of the regiment. This was also the case with the 1st KuK Infantry Regiment. This is shown by the cap badge of the opening picture, on which the regimental number is engraved next to the portrait of Franz Joseph I. Such engravings also appear on other badges. E.g. the engraving IR 34 was added next to the portrait of Emperor Wilhelm II. These badges were not trench art, they were produced in large numbers.

The 1st Infantry Regiment was based in Silesia, with its command in the town of Troppau. The crew consisted predominantly of native Germans. 15% were Czech. It was founded in 1715 as an Imperial German infantry regiment. Up to the time of the Great War, he participated in all major armed conflicts where Austria was at war. The letter seal shown in the entry mentions June 27, 1866 with the name Trautenau. This was the only battle won by the Austrians in the Prussian-Austrian War of 1866. I couldn’t find a direct mention, but certainly the regiment distinguished itself here and it became the regiment’s memorial day.

In the Great War, the regiment belonged to the I Corps as part of the 5th Division. On the Russian front, the division sometimes was subordinated to the 7th Army and sometimes to the 3rd Army. In the summer of 1918, they were sent to the Italian front, to the Dolomites.

I also present the Kappenabzeichen of the aid fund supporting the invalids and orphans of the regiment as well.