von Nádás
In spite of his Magyar origins, Tersztyánszky found himself on the wrong end of Hungarian Premier István Tisza's temper by engaging in a severe dispute with the Premier's friend, Baron Bela Tallián. Tisza considered Tersztyánszky part-and-parcel of the Army High Command, and therefore should not be allowed to overrule a Hungarian governmental authority. Tisza therefore insisted on his removal from command of the IV. Army. Thus, the Premier's clout in military affairs was amply illustrated.
General von Cramon states "Toward the end of September [1915] the Imperial Austrian Army, composed of Austrian and German troops, stood to the northwest and north of Belgrade, the German XI. Army in the region of Versetsch. Tersztyanszky had originally been chosen as the commander of the Austrians. Shortly, however, before the operations began he had a quarrel in his headquarters with one of the officials of Tisza and this assumed such proportions that the all-powerful Hungarian President of the Ministry brought the question before the Emperor, Franz Josef. The latter, as could not otherwise be expected, in view of the powerful position occupied by tisza, dropped the General. In Teschen, at least among the younger men, the departure of Tersztyanszky was not particularly regretted. Instead of him, General von Kövess now had the honour of winning Belgrade."
Tersztyánszky was removed from his position to placate the Premier, but the Army High Command at Teschen was not to be ordered around by an upstart civil governor. After a period of nine months, Tersztyánszky was appointed to reorganise the severely mauled IV. Army in late June 1916, replacing the Archduke Josef Ferdinand at the insistance of the Germans. He had been promoted to Generaloberst in May, before this.
Tersztyánszky was reappointed to command the III. Army, which he was supposed to lead against Serbia two years earlier on 5 March 1917; meanwhile, command of the IV. Army was given to General Karl von Kirchbach. During the Russian summer offensive in 1917, Tersztyánszky's sector was struck heavily by the Russians and he subsequently forfeited command to General Kritek in July 1917.
GWS, 10/01
Assembling forces prior to their transfer to Galicia in the middle of the month
II. Armee, Gen. d. Kav. Eduard von Böhm-Ermolli
IV. Korps, Gen. d. Kav. Tersztyánszky von Nádás
XXXI. inf. div., Feldmlt. Erzherzog Josef
XXXII. inf. div., Feldmlt. Fail-Greißler
Sent to aid General Kövess' XII. Army Corps defending Eastern Galicia
Army Group Kövess; II. Armee, Gen. von Böhm-Ermolli
IV. Korps, Gen. d. Kav. Tersztyánszky von Nádás
XXXI. inf. div., Feldmlt. Erzherzog Josef
XXXII. inf. div., Feldmlt. Fail-Greißler
Immediately preceding the Battles for the Carpathians
Army Group Woyrsch, Gen. Remus von Woyrsch
II. Army, GdI Eduard von Böhm-Ermolli
IV. Corps, GdK Tersztyánszky
31. inf. div., FML von Lütgendorf
35. Deutsch Cav. Div., Gen. von Schmettau
As of Christmas Day, Tersztyánszky had his HQ situated southwest of Lodz in Russian Poland, at the village of Stara, 1 km east of the river Pilica. His sector was almost 20 km long, running north to south, and was bound by Gallwitz Corps on his left and GdK Hermann Kövess’ XII. Corps on his right. On Christmas Day, there was some heavy action in the southern part of the sector, as the Russian Grendiers division in the 4. Army attempted to break west toward Stara. Kövess threw the 16. Inf. Div. of FML Schariczer into the fray, and the fighting was reportedly horrendous amidst the frozen marshes of a muddy creek called the Carna, which formed Schmettau’s main defense line some 10 km east of the Pilica. A few days after the battle of Tomaszów, fought further north, the entire 2. Army was transferred to the Carpathians. [rev. 5/04]
Immediately preceding the Battles for the Carpathians
Army Group Woyrsch
II. Armee, Gen. d. Kav. von Böhm-Ermolli
IV. Korps, Gen. d. Kav. Tersztyánszky von Nádás
XXXI. inf. div., Feldmlt. von Lütgendof
XXXII. inf. div., Feldmlt. Goiginger
Immediately preceding the Dunajec offensive
II. Armee, Gen. d. Kav. Eduard von Böhm-Ermolli
IV. Korps, Gen. d. Kav. v. Tersztyánszky
Chief of Staff, Obstlt. Frh. v. Salis-Samaden
13. Schützen div., Feldmlt. Edl. v. Kreysa
25. Schützen brig., Oberst Richter
26. Schützen brig., Genmj. Riml
13. field art. brig., Genmj. Tunk
32. inf. div., Genmj. Ritt. v. Willerding
63. inf. brig., Genmj. Edl. v. Obauer
64. inf. brig., Genmj. Grallert
32. field art. brig., Genmj. Kreycy
31. inf. div., Feldmlt. Frh. v. Lütgendorf
61. IBrig. Genmj. v. Felix
31. field art. brig., Oberst Schirza
43. Schützen div., Feldmlt. Schmidt v. Georgenegg
59. inf. brig., Genmj. Kroupa
86. Schützen brig., Oberst Ritt. v. Zygadlowicz
54. inf. brig., Oberst v. Watterich
43. field art. brig., Oberst Michalek
Orders of Battle: Balkan Front, late May 1915
Made independent of II. Army on 27 May 1915
Army Group Tersztyánszky, Gen. d. Kav. v. Tersztyánszky
Chief of Staff, Oberst Adalbert v. Dani
59. inf. div., Feldmlt. Lukas Snjaric
9. mtn. brig., Genmj. Edl. v. Hrozny
18. mtn. brig., Genmj. Skvor
61. inf. div., Feldmlt. Winkler
10.mtn. brig., Genmj. v. Droffa
16. Honved mtn. brig., Genmj. Breit
Rayon Banat: Feldmlt. Hess
Pancsova, Oberst Szabo
Homokos, Genmj. Mrazek
Ungarisch Weißkirchen, Obstlt. Sagai
Berszazka, Oberst Minnach
Orsova, Oberst Franzl
Rayon Syrmia, Feldmlt. Adalbert v. Tamasy
Grk, Oberst Hodula
Mitrovica, Oberst v. Ybl
Nikinci, Oberst Guha
Asanja, Feldmlt. v. Jozsa
Surcin, Genmj. Füllöpp
Immediately following the Brussilov Offensive
Linsingen Army Group
IV. Armee, Generaloberst Tersztyánszky von Nádás
X. kav. div., Genmj. von Bauer
Szurmay Korps, Genmj. von Szurmay
LXX. Honved inf. div., Genmj. Goldbach
XI. inf. div., Genmj. von Bauer
X. Korps, Gen. d. Inf. von Csanady
XIII. Schützen div., Genmj. Kalser von Maasfeld
II. inf. div., Genmj. von Jemrich
XXXVII. Honved inf. div., Genmj. Haber
Deutsch X. Korps, Genlt. von Lüttwitz
XIX. inf. div., Genlt. von Schmettau
XX. inf. div., Genlt. ?
XXIX. K.u.K. inf. div., Feldmlt. Schön
Bernhardi Group, Gen. d. Kav. von Bernhardi
German comb. inf. div., Genmj. Rusche
XI. Bay. inf. div., Genlt. von Kneußl
II. K.u.K. Korps, Feldmlt. Kaiser
XLI. Honved inf. div., Genmj. Schamschula
IV. inf. div., Genmj. Pfeffer
Fath Korps, Gen. d. Inf. Fath
XXVI. Schützen div., Feldmarschal Lischka
XLV. Schützen div., Feldmlt. Smekal
LIII. inf. div., Genmj. von Pongracz
Hauer kav. Korps, Gen. d. Kav. von Hauer
Polish Legion, Genmj. von Puchalski
XI. Honved kav. div., Genmj. Czito
I. kav. div., Genmj. de Ruiz
IX. kav. div., Feldmlt. von le Gay
Reserve: II. Polish Legion Brigade, Oberst Köttner
When Archduke Friedrich conferred with Falkenhayn at Teschen in July 1916, the Germans demanded the removal of Archduke Josef Ferdinand from command of the IV. Army. His forces were caught unawares and paid the penalty. Therefore, he was replaced by a candidate that had long been on the mind of Conrad: Tersztyanszky, who was disgraced by Hungarian Premier Tisza a year before. Tersztyanszky took the reins of command intently, but immediately advised further withdrawal, especially as his Fath, Bernhardi, and II. Corps were under attack by the Russian IV. Corps in the north and several others to the south.
For, the sectors of these Corps formed a wide salient, and the Russians in the south were actually pushing north and behind the IV. Army rather than due west as the offensive had generally raged. Tersztyanszky offered a fighting retreat to straighten his lines and take up a position on the right bank of the River Stochod. Thus, the long-fought-for town of Czartorysk was surrendered and the endless swampy forests between that place and the Stochod were abandoned.
GWS, 10/01
Immediately following the Brussilov Offensive
Linsingen Army Group
IV. Armee, Generaloberst Tersztyánszky von Nádás
Szurmay Korps, Feldmlt. Szurmay
X. kav. div., Genmj. von Bauer
XI. inf. div., Genmj. von Obauer
LXX. Honved inf. div., Genmj. Goldbach
X. Korps, Feldmlt. von Csanady
II. inf. div., Genmj. von Jemrich
XIII. Schützen div., Feldmlt. von Kaiser
XXXVII. Honved inf. div., Genmj. Haber
Lüttwitz Group, Genlt. von Lüttwitz
XX. kav. div., Genlt. von Schöler
XIX. inf. div., Genlt. von Schmettau
CXXI. inf. div., Genmj. von Ditfurth
XXIX. inf. div., Feldmlt. Schön
Bernhardi Army Group, Gen. d. Kav. von Bernhardi
Comb. German div., Genmj. Rusche
CVII. Deutsch div., Genmj. Hahndorff
II. K.u.K. Korps, Feldmlt. Kaiser
XLI. Honved inf. div., Genmj. Schamschula
IV. inf. div., Genmj. Pfeffer
Fath Korps, Gen. d. Inf. Fath
Kneußl Group, Genlt. von Kneußl
Polish Legion, Genmj. von Puchalski
XXVI. Schützen div., Genmj. von Wieden
XLV. Schützen div., Genmj. von Stöhr
XI. Bay. div., Genlt. von Kneußl
LIII. inf. div., Genmj. von Pongracz
Deutsch comb. div., Genlt. Clausius
Hauer kav. Korps, Gen. d. Kav. von Hauer
I. kav. div., Genmj. de Ruiz
IX. kav. div., Gennmj. von le Gay
Bay. kav. div., Genlt. von Hellingrath
Tersztyanszky had thought abandoning Czartorysk and making for the swamps would bring him a respite, but General Everth, commander of the Russian Western Front, had a secret up his sleeve. He intended to outdo Brussilov by unleashing the Russian Guards Army against Tersztyanszky, force the Stochod, and capture Kowel--perhaps even drive to Vladimir Volynski on the same railway line. The Guards as a force had not been in action for eleven months. During this respite, they received only the most thorough training and rations. Everth therefore prepared to glorify them in this return to action. The Russian XXX. Corps, which had compelled the IV. Army to abandon Czartorysk, was in the van.
On 28 July, the general assault began all along the Stochod. The positions of the IV. Army on this line were as follows: Berhardi, Kaiser, Fath, and Hauer. To these four Corps only three main causeways through the marshes were open to the Russians. As the Guards approached the river, they were open to merciless gunfire from the air by German planes, while snipers took the rest. After a week, some 55,000 men were lost, and Everth halted the effort to seize Kowel. Humiliated, Everth gave Brussilov his reserves so his more illustrious comrade could continue the struggle in the direction of Vladimir Volynski, on firmer ground.
GWS, 10/01
Immediately following the defeat of Roumania
Linsingen Army Group
IV. K.u.K. Armee, Generaloberst Tersztyánszky von Nádás
Marwitz Group, Gen. d. Kav. von der Marwitz
Beckmann Group, Genlt. Beckmann
CVIII. Deutsch inf. div., Genlt. Beckmann
II. Deutsch Guards div., Oberst von Arnim
CXV. inf. div., Genmj. von Kleist
Szurmay K.u.K. Korps, Feldmlt. Szurmay
XI. inf. div., Genmj. von Metz
X. Deutsch Landsturm div., Genlt. von Stocken
X. K.u.K. Korps, Gen. d. Inf. von Csanady
XIII. Schützen div., Feldmlt. Kalser von Maasfeld
II. inf. div., Genmj. von Jemrich
Reinforced X. Deutsch Korps, Genlt. Schmidt von Kobelsdorf
XIX. Deutsch inf. div., Genmj. von Hülsen
XX. Deutsch inf. div., Genmj. Wellmann
CXXI. Deutsch inf. div., Genmj. von Ditfurth
XXIX. K.u.K. inf. div., Feldmlt. Schön
Support: CCXV. Deutsch inf. div., Genmj. Gronau
CCXVIII. Deutsch inf. div., Genmj. Gentner
Immediately preceding Brussilov's second offensive (Kerensky Offensive)
Prinz Leopold von Bayern Front, Generalfeldmarschal Prinz Leopold
Böhm-Ermolli Group, Gen. d. Inf. von Böhm-Ermolli
III. K.u.K. Armee, Generaloberst Tersztyánszky von Nádás
V. inf. div., Genmj. von Felix
XIII. Korps, Feldmlt. von Schenk
XLII. honved inf. div., Genmj. Mihaljevic
XXXVI. inf. div., Genmj. Nöhring
XXVI. Korps, Feldmarschal von Hadfy
XV. inf. div., Genmj. von Aust
II. kav. div., Genmj. von Abele
Reserve: XVI. inf. div., Genmj. von Kaltenborn
LXXXIII. Deutsch inf. div., Genmj. von Stumpf
Assigned in July: VIII. Bayerisch res. div., Genmj. Jehlin
XVI. Deutsch res. inf. div., Genlt. Sieger
XX. Deutsch inf. div., Genlt. Wellmann
Bayerisch kav. div., Genmj. von Egloffstein
Eager to prove to the Entente that Russia was still worthy of receiving spoils after their victory, Alexander Kerensky ordered his commander-in-Chief General Kornilov to prepare for another summer offensive. Kornilov gave the leadership to General Brussilov, who was so successful in breaking the Austrian lines the summer before.
Brussilov had the difficult task of searching for divisions that were still fight-worthy. He found the VII. Army under General Belkovich and the XI. Army under General Erdelli to be most competant. Added to this was General Kornilov's VIII. Army along the Dniester.
Tersztyánszky's III. Army was situated across the trenches from Kornilov. The Russians attacked on 1 July 1917, with the aim of breaking through to Lemberg. Tersztyánszky's army suffered a severe initial assault by the Russians, and within the first day, lost over 30 miles to the enemy, as well as thousands of prisoners. The cities of Kalusz and Halicz were lost to the Russians within a week, but the weakness of the III. Army was being countered by the strength of General von Bothmer's German Süd Armee on its left flank.
Attacks against the Süd Armee also resulted in initial gains by the Russians, but whereas the Austrians had fled in disarray, the Germans were retiring in order. The Russians soon lost their steam and slowed their advance significantly. Meanwhile, Supreme Commander of the East General Hoffmann prepared a supply line and allocated reserves for a counteroffensive.
On July 19, the opening bombardment occurred in northern Galicia which broke the new Russian front. This sent a shockwave across the whole battlefront, and the tide turned against the Russians. The most famous photograph of the 1917 campaign shows Russian soldiers running for their lives after throwing down their weapons (see below).
The III. Army managed to throw back the Russians who had brought near destruction to them three weeks earlier, but Tersztyánszky was no longer in command. He may have been one the last K.u.K. commanders to be ousted at the Germans' insistance. General Kritek was appointed to replace him, and the III. Army proceeded to follow the demoralised Russians beyond the frontlines of 1 July 1917 and pursued them eastward, capturing Kolomea, Sniatyn, and finally Czernowitz at the beginning of August. Kornilov prepared a battleline on the Zbrucz River, which was the Austrian-Russian border prior to WWI. This was the furthest advance by the Austrians on the Podolian Front yet.
GWS, 12/00
