After experiencing considerable difficulties in fighting the French "Chasseurs Alpins" in the Vosges Mountains during the Battle of the Frontiers, the German Army determined to create its own specialized mountain units. The Royal Bavarian 1st and 2nd Snowshoe Battalions ("Kgl. Bayerisches Schneeschuhbataillon I & II") were formed in Munich, Bavaria on November 21, 1914. A third battalion was formed in April 1915 from the 4th, 5th and 6th companies of the second battalion. In May 1915, the three battalions were brought together with a fourth (formed from troops of the other battalions and Bavarian "Landwehr" troops) to form the 3rd Jäger Regiment ("Jäger Regiment Nr. 3"). In October 1915, the designation "Schneeschuhbataillon" was eliminated.