WW1 - The Military Situation

• Initially, there was some success and good morale.

  • At the start of the war, there were victories in the South against the Austro-Hungarians.
• There were some early setbacks.

  • The Battle of Tannenburg in modern day Poland saw defeat by the Germans with 300,000 dead or wounded and 92,000 taken as prisoners.
  • Defeat at the Masurian Lakes followed and Russia had to retreat from East Prussia.
• The army which had 15 million conscripts suffered from a lack of weapons.

  • There were 2 rifles for every 3 soldiers and limited shells.
  • There was also a lack of warm clothes, properly fitting uniforms and waterproof boots.
• Brusilov Offensive 1916

  • Attempted to push Germany out of Ukraine and break Austro-Hungarian lines.
  • Support Britain and France by forcing the removal of troops from the Western Front.
  • Improved supplies of machine guns and shells but many experienced officers were killed.
  • Successful against the Austro-Hungarians.
  • The German response was to move men forward quickly through the rail network which halted the Russian advance.
  • Morale in the Russian army had collapsed with 1.5 million desertions in 1916.