Austria's Balkan frontier - the disputed borderland between Europe and the Ottoman Turks - was defended in the 18th century by a unique organization of hardy communities who were granted farmland in return for armed service. These Grenzers, masters of guerrilla warfare, were later incorporated into Austria's regular forces, and earned a wider reputation fighting against the army of Frederik the Great's Prussia. By the start of the wars against Revolutionary and Napoleonic France they provided a significant part of the Austrian Line. This book unravels their complex history, and illustrates the development of their colourful folk costumes into striking uniforms.

Introduction · The First Irregulars - Trenk's Freikorps - native costumes · The first regulars - evolution of uniforms · The 1769 reforms - Grenz units in the Imperial Line - artillery and sharpshooter units · Grenzer cavalry · Auxiliary formations · Grenzers at the start of the Napoleonic period