Rump Austrian Empire after World War I Revised
- Thread starter chris N
- Start date
In 1935 Austrian Officers were allow to see a Czech prototype of the new T-38 tank and a concept model of the Proposed enlarged and upguned T-38. The tank would be larger than the T-38 with a more powerful engine better armor and the more powerful 47mm gun. The gun was a Czech made and was considered superior to the current Austrian 47mm ATG.
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Austria sold its T35 tanks to Romania and acquired the new T-38 tank as a stop gap measure. Austrian Army personnel were working on the propose T-39 tank which was an enlarged T-38 with the 47mm gun The Austrians were Manufacturing the He-100 fighter under license . It had purchased some bombers from the Czechs and also considered buying a new Czech fighter.
The Austrian Army now had a Ethnic Slovenian as its Commanding General. Kaiser Otto I wanted the best people in every position The man had been a Brigadier General during the Great War He had proven himself to be a capable officer.. Otto's father had appointed him as an army commander and then as deputy Chief of the General Staff.
Otto had encouraged the appointment of capable people to cabinet post even if they were not ethnic Austrians. The Commander of the Army was a Slovenian, the Interior Minister a Croatian. As a result all parts of the Austrian Empire felt that they had a chance to rise to any position in the Empire. Otto was quite popular among the people and he made it a point to visit all parts of the Empire.
The Austrian defenses facing Fascist Italy had been greatly strengthen. In addition to additional pillboxes the fortifications had been increased when two of the obsolete Battleships had been scrapped and its guns used to increase the artillery. The Empire's Army was much better equipped than it had been in 1914. The Landwehr had been upgraded with better training and equipment.
The Austrian Imperial Army in 1936 formed its first Paratrooper Unit. It was open to all members of the army. The only requirements were to be physically fit and be able to speak and understand German. People who could speak and understand German as well as other languages were encouraged to apply. Plans were to form a Battalion and the goal was to have a Brigade by the end of 1938.
The Austrian Air Force was looking at air craft to purchase to carry the Paratroopers. Junkers was offering the Ju52 but the American DC-3 was also being considered.
The Austrian Air Force was looking at air craft to purchase to carry the Paratroopers. Junkers was offering the Ju52 but the American DC-3 was also being considered.
By the Spring of 1937 the Austrian Paratrooper unit consisted of 1 full strength Battalion and 1 under-strength battalion of Parachute Infantry with a Brigade HQ. The air force had acquired 45 DC-3 aircraft and 11 Dc-4 aircraft. The commanding officer of the unit Colonel Richard Holmberg reported that he believed that the second battalion would be full strength by next year with a third abattalion also nearing completion and a battery of Parachute Artillery also available.
By 1939 Austria's Parachute Brigade had reached its planned level of 1 Brigade consisting of an HQ,with Engineer detachment, At Rifle detachment,Medical detachment.,
3 Parachute Infantry Battalions and 1 artillery Battalion. To airlift the force there were 54 DC-3 and 18 DC-4. More aircraft were needed but the government could not afford to buy any more at this time. Twelve of the enlarged T-39 were currently in service with the Austrian Army and another 22 were to be delivered by the Czech Manufacture before the end of the year and 98 in 1940.
3 Parachute Infantry Battalions and 1 artillery Battalion. To airlift the force there were 54 DC-3 and 18 DC-4. More aircraft were needed but the government could not afford to buy any more at this time. Twelve of the enlarged T-39 were currently in service with the Austrian Army and another 22 were to be delivered by the Czech Manufacture before the end of the year and 98 in 1940.
There had been some "incidents on the Italian-Austrian border and as a result Austria increased its order for the T-39 tank and was going to be manufacturing so
of the tanks in Austria as well as buying tanks from the Czech company. So far the clashes had been small but the Austrians had increased its forces along the border.
of the tanks in Austria as well as buying tanks from the Czech company. So far the clashes had been small but the Austrians had increased its forces along the border.
Great Britain shut down coal exports to Italy and Germany did the same.. Britain also closed oil sales to Italy and Romania did the same. Fascist Italy was feeling the pressure mount on it to stop creating problems with Austria,Yugoslavia and Greece. But Russia signed an agreement to sell oil to Italy.
Russia also signed an agreement to sell coal to Italy but it would be unable to meet the demand that had been filled by Britain for some time. Still the Russians were able to help the Italians out and thus increase trade.
Stll there were protest in Ita;y and a demand to do something to make things better.
Stll there were protest in Ita;y and a demand to do something to make things better.
Pressure on the Fascist Italian Government was mounting and there were growing demonstrations in the capital and throughout Italy. Tankers were arriving from Russia with oil and freighters with coal. But coal prices were rising. Mussolini hope to turn the peoples anger against the west still he was prepared to use brutal force against the people if need be. The Austro- Italian Border was sealed as Otto assembled the war cabinet. Orders for weapons were increasing as the Austrian Empire began to call up some reservist to strengthen the border forces.
Coal and oil arrived from Russia but not before there had been clashes between Italian administrators and the Italian police Mussolini called on the Military to restore order and the King summonsed Mussolini to the palace . . Mussolini explained on a radio broadcast that additional supplies of coal and oil would being arriving shortly. He also announced a curfew in several of the cities.