5th Army (Austria-Hungary)

The Austro-Hungarian 5th Army was a field army of the Austro-Hungarian Army during World War I. It was primarily deployed on the Eastern Front against the Russian Empire and later participated in fighting on the Italian Front.

Organization and Notable Engagements:

The 5th Army saw action in several key battles. Early in the war, it participated in the initial Austro-Hungarian offensives into Russian Poland and Galicia in 1914. It was involved in the Battle of Galicia, a major defeat for Austria-Hungary, and subsequent retreats.

The army was later reorganized and reinforced. It played a significant role in the Gorlice-Tarnow Offensive in 1915, a successful German-Austrian counter-offensive that pushed back the Russian armies.

Following the entry of Italy into the war in 1915, elements of the 5th Army were transferred to the Italian Front to defend against Italian attacks in the mountainous terrain. The army participated in battles along the Isonzo River. It remained active on the Italian Front until the end of the war in 1918.

Commanders:

Notable commanders of the 5th Army included:

• General of Cavalry Viktor Dankl von Krasnik (early war)
• Archduke Joseph August of Austria (later in the war)

Disbandment:

Like the rest of the Austro-Hungarian Army, the 5th Army was dissolved following the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in November 1918.