FAR 9K

The reorganization of the cavalry divisions into infantry divisions affected not only the cavalry squadrons, but also the mounted artillery. The guns of mounted artillery was similar to that of traditional artillery units, only the personnel were riding horses for faster movement. After the reorganization, the horses used for fast movement were removed from the units. Also, the horse artillery units were given a new assignment. Thus, the artillery brigade of the 9th cavalry division was assigned to the 33rd division. And their name also changed: instead of the previous RtAR 9, after the reorganization they were given the name FAR 9K, where the letter K referred to the previous cavalry role (Kavallerie).

I wrote all this in detail because, in addition to the extremely beautiful badge, the presented correspondence card is also special. It was written home by the lieutenant of the aforementioned artillery regiment to his beloved on October 26, 1918, in the last week of the Great War. There is no sign that collapse was imminent. The letter writer dreamed that 3 months have passed since his last leave, and that he will have to wait another two months before he can go home again. Did he return safely to his beloved?

The 33rd Division was in reserve at the lower reaches of the Piave at that time, relatively far from the front lines. The main direction of the Italian attack was further north, and the inglorious situation when the armistice dates were misinterpreted and Italians took entire divisions prisoner did not occur on this front. So Lieutenant Szili had a good chance of getting home by the end of the year, the date written on the postcard.