Austria-Hungary HELP FOR A-H UNIFORM

[Zaim Qyteza]

Hi to all,

Can anyone help me to identify the uniform of this officer. The photo is about 1916-1918.

Thanks in advance.

[Elmar Lang]

Hello Artan,

I am sure that the uniform shown in the picture is not austrian. I think it could be Rumanian.

Best wishes,

Enzo (Elmar Lang)

[Zaim Qyteza]

Hello Artan,

I am sure that the uniform shown in the picture is not austrian. I think it could be Rumanian.

Best wishes,

Enzo (Elmar Lang)

Dear Enzo.

This picture dated 1916, is taken from an Albanian publication dated 1928. The person is the future King Zog. In that time (1916), he was a war lord in north Albania. During the Austrian occupation of Albania (1916-1918), with the excuse of the funeral of Kaiser F-J I, Zog (age 21) was stopped in Vienna from the Austrian authorities in a “golden prison” for two years. There he has the honor rank of colonel, or something similar. He return in Albania, only after the fall of the A-H Empire. All this history is a 1928-es official version, but you must understand, that in Albania the official story, only rarely is friend of the truth.

Now, how is possible Zog in a Romanian uniform!!! Perhaps an auto-created Austrian uniform? Perhaps an ex Prince Wied period uniform?

Regards,

Artan

[Valter]

It's probably an auto-crated uniform (supposed to be Albanian?) as Artan suggested. AH never used shoulder boards like these (actually, they didn't have any shoulder boards with ranks, except navy), they wore ranks on collars.

[Elmar Lang]

Hello Artan,

Valter correctly confirms your opinion: it can be an uniform Zog created for himself (yesterday, I was thinking "who's the gentleman pictued in the photo?").

The "Offiziersborte" is of the austrian type (but also used in Romania, for example), the stars are in-line (arrangement not used in Austria) and the cuffs show those ornamental knots that remember those on romanian uniforms. German-style shoulder boards are another non-austrian detail. The aiguillets with suspended acorns is an austrian sharpshooter's badge, possibly arranged as "adjutant's aiguillettes" or just to give a more luxurious touch.

I think that the history of Albania is extremely interesting and I hope that you could find as more details as possible!

Best wishes,

Enzo

[Zaim Qyteza]

Dear sirs,

Your interpretation is very interesting to me, because for our official history (based in this picture), Zog has the rank of colonel in A-H Army. I think to write an article for this argument.

Here attached, is another example of militia officer during A-H occupation of Albania (1916-1918). He is Leon de Gilardy an ex mobilized in A-H Army. When the A-H Army entry in Albania he passed (with the “ok” of the Austrians)on the service of Zog with the rank of captain. After the war he remain in Albania and continued his career until the rank of general (1934). Is this another case of fantasy uniform, or an Austrian standard for the local militias under their service?

Regards,

Artan

[Elmar Lang]

Hello,

Captain de Gilardy is wearing what looks like a standard type austrian field tunic, tranformed with a different collar (and ranks on it) and the added shoulder boards.

Most probably early Albanian ranks are very similar to austrian ones, but the rank stars instead of being grouped, are in-line.

Best wishes,

E.L.

[Zaim Qyteza]

Hi to all,

Can anyone help me to identify the uniform of this officer. The photo is about 1916-1918.

Thanks in advance.

Dear all,

Some days ago, I find to the National Archives, the original picture that was used to the publication of 1928, cited from me at the beginning of this topic. I think that this picture can help you to distinguish other details of this self-created uniform of Ahmed Zog.

Thanks,

Artan

[Peter Orincsay]

Very nice photograph. Do you know the correct colours of this uniform?

Cheers!

Péter

[Zaim Qyteza]

Very nice photograph. Do you know the correct colours of this uniform?

Cheers!

Péter

Peter,

No I don't know the colour, but I think it is azure/grey.

Regards,

Artan

[Peter Orincsay]

It might have looked like this?

Did some Photoshop colouring on this beautiful photograph.

[Paul R]

Very nice photoshop work!

[Bayern]

King Achmet Zog was a great opportunist , He wa muslim and one of the tribal chieftains of Albania . Prince lajos Windischgraetz related that during the serbian retreat Zog encircled and destroyed a serbian infantry brigade took the armament and organized an army . Windischgraetz was commisioned to bribe Zog to side with AH . the prince with a escort of kaiserjaegers meets Zog in his castle made the proposal ,Zog accepted together with 100000 gold korone and promised allegiance to Austria . At night , Zog meets a bulgarian colonel his proposal an 100000 levas . Later was bribed by the greeks and sided to the Allies . The uniform colour is a light blue grey , but the lace on the front open knots and skirts must be black 

[Bayern]

More about Zog , after the war he married countess Geraldine Apponyi , a  niece of Windischgraetz . During 1957 or 1958 both met in Paris , Zog with full purse and the prince ruined . The bandit greeted Windischgraetz as my dear uncle ! with clear duble sense .