The Russian Campaign, April to August, 1915: Being the Second Volume of "Field Notes from the Russian Front"Washburn, Stanley
History
The Russian Campaign, April to August, 1915: Being the Second Volume of "Field Notes from the Russian Front"
Washburn, Stanley
World War, 1914-1918 -- Campaigns -- Eastern Front; World War, 1914-1918 -- Personal narratives
How long the Russians will remain on this line can be merely
speculation. Many of these lines that are taken up temporarily prove
unusually strong, or the enemy proves unexpectedly weak, and what was
intended as only a halt, gradually becomes strengthened until it may
become the final line. My own idea was, however, that after forcing
the Austrians to develop their full strength and suffer the same heavy
losses, the Russians would again retire to a similar position and do
it all over again. It is this type of action which is slowly breaking
the hearts of the enemy. Again and again they are forced into these
actions which make them develop their full strength and are taken only
when supported by their heavy guns, only to find, when it is all over,
that the Russians have departed and are already complacently awaiting
them a few days’ marches further on. This kind of game has already told
heavily on the Austrian spirits. How much longer they can keep it up
one can only guess. I don’t think they can do it much longer, as not
one of these advances is now yielding them any strategic benefit, and
the asset of a talking point to be given out by the German Press Bureau
probably does not impress them as a sufficiently good reason to keep
taking these losses and making these sacrifices.
Leaving the position we returned to our base, where we spent the night
preparatory to moving on the next day to the army that lies next in
the line north of us, being the third from the extreme Russian left.
My impressions of the condition and spirit of the army visited this
day were very satisfactory, and I felt as I did about its southern
neighbor--that its movements for the moment have not a vast importance.
It may go back now, but when the conditions which are necessary are
fulfilled it can almost certainly advance. Probably we need expect
nothing important for some months here and further retirements may be
viewed with equanimity by the Allies. Not too far away there is a final
line which they will not leave without a definite stand and from which
I question if they can be driven at all.
A VISIT TO AN HISTORIC ARMY
CHAPTER XXI
A VISIT TO AN HISTORIC ARMY
BRODY, GALICIA,
_July 7, 1915_.
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