German Trans-Causcasus Expedition 1918

[Peter H]

Realpolitics in the Causcasus 1918;at the same time as the 2nd Marne Battle in France,German resources are being used to secure Baku's oil:

The situation following Russian suspension of hostilities in December 1917 was exceedingly complicated. Three peoples – the Georgians, the Armenians, and the Azerbaidjan Tartars – constituted the majority of the mixed population living south of the Caucasus range and the borders of Turkey and Persia. Russia’s political control over the Trans-Caucasus disappeared after the Bolshevik Revolution and, through anarchy among the Russian troops, military control collapsed. A Trans-Caucasian Government was formed under the influence of the Georgians, politically the most mature of the peoples,which in November 1917 proclaimed an independent republic to include Georgians,Armenians, and Tartars, despite religious differences and traditional animosities. In March 1918 came the Brest Litovsk Treaty ceding Batum, Kars, and Ardahan to Turkey.

Outside influences then made themselves felt. The Turks advanced and, ignoring the treaty-terms, began to seize the whole Caucasus region ; Germany – determined to control Baku and its oil-fields – could in no-wise permit this. Beset by the rival influences of Turkey and Germany, the newly formed Trans-Caucasian republic collapsed and split up; an independent Armenian republic of Erivan was proclaimed in May under Turkish protection; a Tartar republic under the Turks, and to include Baku, was established in the same month. Georgia, on the other had, welcomed a German expeditionary force as protection from Turkish invasion. Baku was the only Bolshevik stronghold, and on this the Turks were advancing in defiance of the Germans.


June 8th 1918--German Expeditionary Force,via Crimea, lands at Poti,Georgia.

On June 21st 1918 German troops marched into Tiflis,Georgia cheered by flag–waving crowds and the band of the German Club playing the Parisian Entry March of 1871.

July/August 1918-Germans under Kress von Kressenstein deter Turkish movement through Georgia,as the latter advance on Azerbaidjan.Although no shots are fired,the situation between these allies is tense.

More on the Baku dispute between Germany and Turkey can be found here:

http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepage ... rb/246.htm

[Peter H]

The German Expeditionary Force consisted of Bavarians,a regiment of the German 217th Infantry Division:

29th Bavarian Inf Regt (consisting of 7th and 9th Res. Jager Batns)
10th Sturm battalion
1 MG Abteilung
176th mortar coy


Germans in Tiflis:

[Peter H]

Trek into Georgia:

[Gwynn Compton]

As always, you're full of wonderful information, my deepest thanks.

What resistance from the locals did the Germans meet, if at all any?

Gwynn

[Peter H]

Gwyn,
A few of the 'tribes' in the region offered token resistance,but nothing major.The fledgling Georgian army supported the German move to protect them from both the Turks and the Bolsheviks.

The Germans in fact armed a tribe called the Jangalis,who also ended up fighting for the Turks around Baku.

The Turkish 3rd Army in the Causcasus consisting of the Turkish 10th,26th and 50th Divisions was what they were trying to bluff away from Georgia.This was because the main railroad from Baku,ran through Tiflis and then west towards the Black Sea.Even though the Turks eventually captured Baku in September 1918,no oil could be got out to the Central Powers unless this transit line was open.Hence who controlled the railroad,controlled the oil flow and distribution.

[Peter H]

Update on German forces in Georgia,from Hermann Cron's Imperial German Army 1914-18:

29th Bavarian Jäger Regt(Bav 7th Res,Bav 9th Res Jäger Btns)
15th Bavarian Jäger Regt(raised August 1918--Bav 1st Res Jäger Btn from 29th Bav Jäger Regt,Caucasian Railway Protection Btn,raised from former German POWs)
Assault Btn 10
II Btn,Reserve Field Artillery Regt 65
Aviation Det 28
AFV MG Section 176
Signal Section 1750
At times also 7th Bavarian Cavalry Brigade (Bavarian 4th Chevaulegers Regiment deployed Sept 1918)

[Carlos Marighela]

Peter,

Any details on the structure of Assault Battalion 10 or the AFV MG detachment? I'm curious as to whether this was some sort of motorised MG company or indeed an armoured car unit.

[Jan-Hendrik]

Very interesting thread, gentlemen!

Had never heard about this dispute between Reich & Ottoman Empire.

Thank you.

Jan-Hendrik

[Peter H]

HI,

The 10 Sturm Battalion was the organic assault unit of the German 10th Army in 1918.I think this army was in the Ukraine 1918.Rather than waste such an elite unit in an occupation role it was despatched east to Georgia.Like its brother Assault Battalions it would have numbered around 500 men.I have no details on the AFV troops.Cron relates that such units were equipped with either German armoured cars or ex-Russian types.

Regards
Peter


The 10 Sturm in Russia:

[Carlos Marighela]

Thanks for the quick response Peter. Presumably 2-3 coys + attached MGs, minenwerfer etc.

[Mad Zeppelin]

The AVF troop was Panzer-Kraftwagen-MG-Abteilung 1. They had 1 Daimler/15, 1 Ehrhardt/15 (both modernised in 1917), 1 Ehrhardt/17, 1 ex-Belgian Minerva (modified), 1 Daimler-MG-carrier - and possibly two ex-Russian Austins, plus a number of softskin vehicles.
They participated in the expedition to Baku.

[Mad Zeppelin]

Concerning SturmBtl 10:
- battalion staff
- 1 assault company (268 strong)
- 1 machine gun company, 12 MGs (139 strong)
- 1 mine thrower company, 8 mortars (109 strong)
- 1 garrison company formed from former German POWs in the Caucasus

[Auseklis]

Does someone know the number of the German fieldpost office attached to the expedition force?

[Peter H]

The Ottoman thrust towards the Caspian 1918:

http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=116782


"An Iron Cross For DELIBERATE "Friendly" Fire":

http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/ ... hp?t=53386

[Carlos Marighela]

Many thanks Mad Zepplin, just the sort of detail I was after. I don't suppose I could push my luck and ask what the II Bn 105 Fd Art Regt was armed with?