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
There may be those who are disappointed, but history, I believe,
will conclude that this summer campaign of the Russians has been the
greatest factor so far in the war making for the ultimate victory
of the Allies. For nearly four months Germany has been drained of
her best. Men and resources have been poured on this Front since
May regardless of cost. Autumn approaches with the armies in being,
undemoralized and preparing to do it all over again. In the meantime
the Allies are preparing to begin on the West, or at least it is
generally so believed. When they do at last start, Germany will for
months be occupied in protecting herself, and will probably be unable
to act so vigorously here. If Russia gets over the period of the
next sixty days, she will be safe until Spring, and by that time she
will without doubt be able to take up an offensive in her turn.
[Illustration: Wounded returning to Warsaw.]
[Illustration: On the banks of the River Dniester. Cossack snipers in
the woods overlooking the river.]
After months of observation of the Germans it is folly to speculate on
how long they can stand this pace. It may be for six months, and it
may be for two years, but with the Allies patiently wearing down the
enemy month after month and year after year there can be but one end.
That Russia has played her part, and played it heroically, I think no
one, even the Germans themselves, can deny. There are some that like to
believe that the enemy will try to get Moscow and Kiev before winter
sets in. The former objective seems impossible, and the latter even
if obtained would, I believe, in no way compensate the enemy for his
sacrifices, for the nature of the country is such that all advances
could only be at terrific cost. Besides, Kiev, even if taken, would
not, I think, have any tangible effect on forcing Russia to make peace,
and this end alone can justify the Germans in making further huge
sacrifices.
There are many who maintain that Russia will find it difficult to
reconquer Galicia and Poland. Probably she will never have to do so.
It is perfectly possible that when the end comes, Germany will still
be on the territory of France, Belgium, and Russia. Peace will bring
back instantly all of these provinces without any fighting at all. It
matters not, then, whether Germany is broken while still in the heart
of Russia or under the walls of Berlin itself. The task is to break the
enemy and that this will be done eventually I think cannot be doubted.
It is the stamina, the character and the resources of the Allies that
in the end will decide this war, and nothing is more unwise than to
judge the situation from the study of pins moved back and forward on
the map of Europe.
Printed in Great Britain by Butler & Tanner Frome and London
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Transcriber's note:
Inconsistent spelling and hyphenation are as in the original.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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