- With the occupation of Lodz, General Mackensen desires a pause in operations for his 9th Army, given that it has been in constant combat for a month in poor weather and with few supplies, and he also recognizes that the Russians have withdrawn to a strong defensive position along the Bzura and Rawka Rivers. Ludendorff, however, insists that the advance continues, with the objective of seizing Warsaw by the end of the year. He believes that warfare in the East is more mobile than the West, and while generally this is the case, it ignores the specific situation that 9th Army now faces, fighting a defensive line where the Russians have entrenched in strong positions. Thus 9th Army continues to attack the Russian 1st, 2nd, and 5th Armies opposite, attempting to force river crossings and achieve the breakthrough Ludendorff still believes is possible.
- The Russian 3rd Army pulls its two exposed corps back eastward over the Stradomka River today, a maneouvre that removes the possibility of the southern wing of the Austro-Hungarian 4th Army enveloping and annihilating these corps. Though Conrad is funnelling reinforcements to Roth's group, General Ivanov of South-West Front is doing the same - in addition to the two corps drawn from 8th Army, two additional corps are coming from 9th Army. Further, the Russian VIII Corps at Neusandez is already attacking westward towards Limanowa against the exposed flank of Roth's group, which remains orientated northwards.
Meanwhile, the Russian 8th Army in the Carpathians consists of little more than XII Corps, as General Brusilov has sent the remainder westward to support the beleaguered 3rd Army. This means that when several divisions on the eastern wing of the Austro-Hungarian 3rd Army attack today, the Russian defenders are pushed back. However, poor weather and logistical challenges has delayed the planned Austro-Hungarian attack against Bartfeld, while no forces have been yet dispatched towards Neusandez.
- With the tide turning against Austria-Hungary, the Serbian parliament is emboldened today to issue a declaration on its war aims; namely, to liberate all Serbs, Croatians, and Slovenians (known collectively as the South Slavs) within Austria-Hungary and unite them into a single kingdom under Serbian leadership.
- In Lower Mesopotamia the detachment of Indian Expeditionary Force D sent against Qurna advances on the opposite river bank today, clearing Ottoman units out of several trench positions. By late afternoon the British are on the river opposite Qurna, and spent the rest of the day exchanging fire with the Ottoman garrison of the town.
The Viceroy of India also telegrams London today, endorsing a proclamation at Basra that British occupation of the region will be permanent, and governed as a province of India.
- At 9am this morning the British squadron under the command of Admiral Sturdee sights the Falklands Islands, and his warships, led by Invincible and Inflexible, sail into Port Stanley. Though the squadron needs coal, only two colliers are available, so the ships will take turns, while the armoured cruiser Cornwall and the light cruiser Bristol extinguish their fires to clean its boilers and repair an engine respectively. The armed merchant cruiser Macedonia is assigned to patrol outside the harbour, while the armoured cruiser Kent is scheduled to relieve Macedonia at 8am tomorrow morning.
Admiral Sturdee summons his captains to Invincible, where he informs them that the squadron will sail in forty-eight hours - reports have German colliers assembling near Tierra del Fuego, and Sturdee wants to get around Cape Horn before the German East Asiatic Squadron. Unbeknownst to Sturdee and his captains, fate is about to delivery the German warships right into their hands.
Sunday, December 07, 2014
Saturday, December 06, 2014
December 6th, 1914
- Joffre sends a reply today to Grand Duke Nicholas' telegram of the 3rd, assuring the commander-in-chief of the Russian army that the French will shortly resume major offensive operations, once weapons appropriate to the new conditions resembling siege warfare are assembled. At the same time he receives another report from the Operations Bureau recommending attacks in Artois and either Champagne or near Verdun. This encapsulates the basic framework of the operation Joffre and his staff now begin to plan - a drive by the French 10th Army from the vicinity of Arras towards Cambrai, and an advance in Champagne east of Rheims by the French 4th Army from Suippes to Rethel.
- Overnight Russian forces at Lodz have abandoned the city and retreated eastward, and when wireless intercepts reveal the situation to the Germans, elements of 9th Army occupy the city. The retreat, however, is not a precipitate withdrawal - the advance of the right wing of the German 9th Army and the Austro-Hungarian 2nd Army had resulted in Lodz forming a bulge in the front, and by retreating the Russians can shorten their line and establish themselves on defensible positions on the Bzura and Rawka Rivers west of Warsaw. Indeed, for the past several days the centre and left of the German 9th Army has been battering itself against the Russian positions on the lower Bzura to no avail. Further, the Russian forces opposite the Austro-Hungarian 2nd Army remain in place, frustrating the hope for a further advance. By abandoning Lodz, the Russians are in a better position to defend the remainder of Poland.
- Southeast of Krakow further Austro-Hungarians attacks by Roth's forces on the Russian defences fail to achieve a breakthrough or turn the enemy's southern flank. However, the continued pressure convinces the commander of the Russian 3rd Army to pull back the two corps that still faced westward between Wisniowa and Wieliczka. Meanwhile reconnaissance reports from elements of the 10th Cavalry Division report significant Russian forces in Neusandez, but General Roth's focus remains the attack northwards - he has been ordered to continue the offensive in this direct irregardless of the threat to his own flank.
- To the southeast the commander of the Austro-Hungarian 3rd Army is planning an operation aimed at recapturing Bartfeld, lost on the 1st. Though his army is exhausted, the apparent redeployment of elements of the Russian 8th Army westwards has opened a window of opportunity to go over to the attack. However, today Conrad orders the left wing of 3rd Army to advance on Neusandez to support the offensive of 4th Army. The commander of 3rd Army knows his force is not capable of attacking Bartfeld and moving to Neusandez simultaneously, so he asks Conrad which operation he should undertake first. In an evasion typical of Conrad, he replies that the choice is at 3rd Army's discretion.
- Romanian Prime Minister Bratianu refuses today an Entente request to guarantee the independence of Greece against Bulgarian aggression.
- A small Ottoman force of twenty-four Russian-speaking cavalrymen attempt a raid today near Odessa on the Black Sea coast. Landing at Akkerman and dressed in Russian uniforms, their objective is to cut a key railway before escaping into neutral Romania. The attempt is a complete failure as every Ottoman soldier is rounded up shortly after making landfall.
- Early today reinforcements reach the detachment of Indian Expeditionary Force D encamped just south of Qurna on the opposite bank. Reconnaissance has revealed that Ottoman soldiers numbering over a thousand have reoccupied the trenches to the north that the British had captured and then evacuated on the 4th. The local British commander decides that these Ottomans will need to be defeated to secure the west bank of the river, the necessary prerequisite to then crossing the river to seize the town of Qurna itself.
- Admiral Spee convenes a meeting of his captains as the German East Asiatic Squadron continues to anchor off Picton Island. Believing that the Falklands Islands are unprotected, de proposes an attack on Port Stanley to destroy the wireless station, burn any stocks of coal (the bunkers of his ships now being full), and capture the British governor to balance the British seizure of the governor of German Samoa. Only the captain of Nürnberg supports the plan - the other captains wish to avoid the Falklands and pursue Entente shipping off the River Platte. Spee, however, overrules his captains and they sail this afternoon to attack Port Stanley on the morning of December 8th. It is a fateful, and for many a fatal, decision.
- Overnight Russian forces at Lodz have abandoned the city and retreated eastward, and when wireless intercepts reveal the situation to the Germans, elements of 9th Army occupy the city. The retreat, however, is not a precipitate withdrawal - the advance of the right wing of the German 9th Army and the Austro-Hungarian 2nd Army had resulted in Lodz forming a bulge in the front, and by retreating the Russians can shorten their line and establish themselves on defensible positions on the Bzura and Rawka Rivers west of Warsaw. Indeed, for the past several days the centre and left of the German 9th Army has been battering itself against the Russian positions on the lower Bzura to no avail. Further, the Russian forces opposite the Austro-Hungarian 2nd Army remain in place, frustrating the hope for a further advance. By abandoning Lodz, the Russians are in a better position to defend the remainder of Poland.
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| German soldiers marching through Lodz, December 6th, 1914. |
- Southeast of Krakow further Austro-Hungarians attacks by Roth's forces on the Russian defences fail to achieve a breakthrough or turn the enemy's southern flank. However, the continued pressure convinces the commander of the Russian 3rd Army to pull back the two corps that still faced westward between Wisniowa and Wieliczka. Meanwhile reconnaissance reports from elements of the 10th Cavalry Division report significant Russian forces in Neusandez, but General Roth's focus remains the attack northwards - he has been ordered to continue the offensive in this direct irregardless of the threat to his own flank.
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| Operations of the Austro-Hungarian 4th Army during the Battle of Limanowa-Lapanow, December 6th to 9th, 1914. |
- To the southeast the commander of the Austro-Hungarian 3rd Army is planning an operation aimed at recapturing Bartfeld, lost on the 1st. Though his army is exhausted, the apparent redeployment of elements of the Russian 8th Army westwards has opened a window of opportunity to go over to the attack. However, today Conrad orders the left wing of 3rd Army to advance on Neusandez to support the offensive of 4th Army. The commander of 3rd Army knows his force is not capable of attacking Bartfeld and moving to Neusandez simultaneously, so he asks Conrad which operation he should undertake first. In an evasion typical of Conrad, he replies that the choice is at 3rd Army's discretion.
- Romanian Prime Minister Bratianu refuses today an Entente request to guarantee the independence of Greece against Bulgarian aggression.
- A small Ottoman force of twenty-four Russian-speaking cavalrymen attempt a raid today near Odessa on the Black Sea coast. Landing at Akkerman and dressed in Russian uniforms, their objective is to cut a key railway before escaping into neutral Romania. The attempt is a complete failure as every Ottoman soldier is rounded up shortly after making landfall.
- Early today reinforcements reach the detachment of Indian Expeditionary Force D encamped just south of Qurna on the opposite bank. Reconnaissance has revealed that Ottoman soldiers numbering over a thousand have reoccupied the trenches to the north that the British had captured and then evacuated on the 4th. The local British commander decides that these Ottomans will need to be defeated to secure the west bank of the river, the necessary prerequisite to then crossing the river to seize the town of Qurna itself.
- Admiral Spee convenes a meeting of his captains as the German East Asiatic Squadron continues to anchor off Picton Island. Believing that the Falklands Islands are unprotected, de proposes an attack on Port Stanley to destroy the wireless station, burn any stocks of coal (the bunkers of his ships now being full), and capture the British governor to balance the British seizure of the governor of German Samoa. Only the captain of Nürnberg supports the plan - the other captains wish to avoid the Falklands and pursue Entente shipping off the River Platte. Spee, however, overrules his captains and they sail this afternoon to attack Port Stanley on the morning of December 8th. It is a fateful, and for many a fatal, decision.
Friday, December 05, 2014
December 5th, 1914
- After a day of heavy fighting the Russian counterattack in central Poland by III Caucasian Corps has stalled, and the arrival of the first elements of 27th Division gives the commander of the Austro-Hungarian 4th Army confidence that the enemy will not be able to break through. However, the delay imposed on the Austro-Hungarian advance has given the Russians time to move additional reinforcements into the area. Further to the north, efforts by the centre and left of the German 9th Army, though inflicting losses and grinding forward, have been unable to break through the Russian 1st and 2nd Armies at and north of Lodz.
- South of Krakow further attacks by the Austro-Hungarian 4th Army fail to gain ground, the only significant success being achieved by the German 47th Reserve Division, which had begun to enter the line alongside XIV Corps yesterday. The line of 4th Army now resembles an 'L', with XIV Corps and Nagy's cavalry along the bottom and the remainder of the army along the side.
- There have been no significant Russian attacks in the Carpathians for the past three days, and the reason for the sudden passivity is revealed to the Austro-Hungarian 3rd Army today through wireless intercepts indicating that the headquarters of the Russian VIII Corps is at Neusandez. Confirmation is received when cavalry moving east towards Neusandez encounter Russian infantry and are thrown back. This clearly indicates that elements of the Russian 8th Army are moving to reinforce 3rd Army south of the Vistula River, and these forces, if they can continue westward past Neusandez, may be able to attack the Austro-Hungarian 4th Army from the south - Roth's group attempting to outflank the Russian 4th Army may be outflanked itself.
- South of Krakow further attacks by the Austro-Hungarian 4th Army fail to gain ground, the only significant success being achieved by the German 47th Reserve Division, which had begun to enter the line alongside XIV Corps yesterday. The line of 4th Army now resembles an 'L', with XIV Corps and Nagy's cavalry along the bottom and the remainder of the army along the side.
- There have been no significant Russian attacks in the Carpathians for the past three days, and the reason for the sudden passivity is revealed to the Austro-Hungarian 3rd Army today through wireless intercepts indicating that the headquarters of the Russian VIII Corps is at Neusandez. Confirmation is received when cavalry moving east towards Neusandez encounter Russian infantry and are thrown back. This clearly indicates that elements of the Russian 8th Army are moving to reinforce 3rd Army south of the Vistula River, and these forces, if they can continue westward past Neusandez, may be able to attack the Austro-Hungarian 4th Army from the south - Roth's group attempting to outflank the Russian 4th Army may be outflanked itself.
Thursday, December 04, 2014
December 4th, 1914
- The Canadian soldiers encamped on Salisbury Plain continue to endure miserable conditions. There is heavy rainfall almost every day, while cold was a constant companion and frost frequently occurred each night. Today the weather offers a particular insult - as soldiers line up to receive their pay, a sudden storms blows the treasury bills away.
- The Operations Bureau at French army headquarters submits another assessment to Joffre, this time emphasizing the importance of railways and lines of communication. Unfortunately from their perspective, the territory Germany occupies has a dense railway network, both laterally and reaching back across the Rhine, allowing the Germans to both bring reinforcements to the front quickly and move reserves between different parts of the line. The assessment emphasizes the importance of major offensive operations targeting important rail connections to negate this German advantage.
- Today the French 1st Bombardment Group undertakes its first mission, striking the railway station at the German city of Freiburg.
- As the Serbian counteroffensive continues today, it is aided by a break in the weather. In contrast to the wet and muddy conditions of late November, today begins a warm spell that drys out the ground and eases their advance. The Serbs continue to hammer the Austro-Hungarian 6th Army, which falls back in disarray.
- Only this afternoon does the Russian 3rd Army realize that its southern flank is in danger and move reserves to counter the Austro-Hungarian advance. Thus when Roth's infantry divisions shift their line of advance to the north to envelop the Russian 3rd Army, they encounter significant resistance for the first time. This convinces the commander of the Austro-Hungarian 4th Army that his forces should be concentrated to the north, while only a small cavalry force is needed to screen Neusandez to the east.
It is also today that General Ivanov at South-West Front headquarters realizes that the Austro-Hungarians are undertaking a major counteroffensive south of Krakow against 3rd Army. Moreover, General Ruszkii of North-West Front is insisting Ivanov needs to send reinforcements northwards to aid the defence of Poland. Under these pressures, Ivanov has ordered General Brusilov of 8th Army to redeploy VIII and XXIV Corps towards Neusandez and Gorlice, while the rest of 8th Army is to shift over to the defensive.
- At 5am this morning the detachment of Indian Expeditionary Force D assigned to move on Qurna departs the British camp and sails up the Shatt al-Arab, escorted by two warships and two armed steamers. As the warships silence two Ottoman artillery pieces the soldiers land on the west bank and begin their advance northwards. Their movement is slowed by a lack of cavalry, meaning reconnaisance on the unknown terrain had to be undertaken by infantry. Coming up to an Ottoman position, the Indian infantry first perceived great enemy defenses, only to discover they had been a mirage and the Ottoman soldiers were only weakly-entrenched. The retreating Ottomans are able to cross over to Qurna on the east bank, and for several hours the Indian and Ottomans exchange fire across the river. As the British officers have no accurate maps of the region the width of the Tigris (200-300 yards) at this point comes as something of a surprise to them, and the British commander quickly concludes that his small force is insufficient to force a crossing. He orders his detachment to fall back southward to where they had landed in the morning, while reinforcements are dispatched from the main IEF D camp at Basra.
- The Operations Bureau at French army headquarters submits another assessment to Joffre, this time emphasizing the importance of railways and lines of communication. Unfortunately from their perspective, the territory Germany occupies has a dense railway network, both laterally and reaching back across the Rhine, allowing the Germans to both bring reinforcements to the front quickly and move reserves between different parts of the line. The assessment emphasizes the importance of major offensive operations targeting important rail connections to negate this German advantage.
- Today the French 1st Bombardment Group undertakes its first mission, striking the railway station at the German city of Freiburg.
- As the Serbian counteroffensive continues today, it is aided by a break in the weather. In contrast to the wet and muddy conditions of late November, today begins a warm spell that drys out the ground and eases their advance. The Serbs continue to hammer the Austro-Hungarian 6th Army, which falls back in disarray.
- Only this afternoon does the Russian 3rd Army realize that its southern flank is in danger and move reserves to counter the Austro-Hungarian advance. Thus when Roth's infantry divisions shift their line of advance to the north to envelop the Russian 3rd Army, they encounter significant resistance for the first time. This convinces the commander of the Austro-Hungarian 4th Army that his forces should be concentrated to the north, while only a small cavalry force is needed to screen Neusandez to the east.
It is also today that General Ivanov at South-West Front headquarters realizes that the Austro-Hungarians are undertaking a major counteroffensive south of Krakow against 3rd Army. Moreover, General Ruszkii of North-West Front is insisting Ivanov needs to send reinforcements northwards to aid the defence of Poland. Under these pressures, Ivanov has ordered General Brusilov of 8th Army to redeploy VIII and XXIV Corps towards Neusandez and Gorlice, while the rest of 8th Army is to shift over to the defensive.
- At 5am this morning the detachment of Indian Expeditionary Force D assigned to move on Qurna departs the British camp and sails up the Shatt al-Arab, escorted by two warships and two armed steamers. As the warships silence two Ottoman artillery pieces the soldiers land on the west bank and begin their advance northwards. Their movement is slowed by a lack of cavalry, meaning reconnaisance on the unknown terrain had to be undertaken by infantry. Coming up to an Ottoman position, the Indian infantry first perceived great enemy defenses, only to discover they had been a mirage and the Ottoman soldiers were only weakly-entrenched. The retreating Ottomans are able to cross over to Qurna on the east bank, and for several hours the Indian and Ottomans exchange fire across the river. As the British officers have no accurate maps of the region the width of the Tigris (200-300 yards) at this point comes as something of a surprise to them, and the British commander quickly concludes that his small force is insufficient to force a crossing. He orders his detachment to fall back southward to where they had landed in the morning, while reinforcements are dispatched from the main IEF D camp at Basra.
Wednesday, December 03, 2014
December 3rd, 1914
- Today Joffre receives a message from Grand Duke Nicholas, Commander in Chief of the Russian Army. The latter complains that inadequate pressure by the French on the Western Front has allowed the Germans to transfer significant forces to the Eastern Front, and that if further redeployments occurred the Russian army would have to cease offensive operations and dig entrenchments similar to those in the West.
- In central Poland the Russian III Caucasian Corps begins to move northwards towards Belchatow, occupied today by Austro-Hungarian cavalry, in order to strike the southern flank of the advance of the right wing of the German 9th Army and the left wing of the Austro-Hungarian 2nd Army. Radio messages indicating the planned counterattack are intercepted, however, which allows the Austro-Hungarian 2nd Army to plan an attack of its own to pre-empt the Russian operation. As the front north of Krakow has settled into trench warfare, the Austro-Hungarian 1st Army is able to order the redeployment of its 27th Division northwards to assist 4th Army.
- South of Krakow today the right wing of the Austro-Hungarian 4th Army, under the overall command of General Joseph Roth and consisting of XIV Corps and Nagy's cavalry divisions, push eastward today after defeating the Russians at Dobra yesterday, and capture Limanowa. However, though the southern flank of the Russian 3rd Army has given way, its centre stymies further Austro-Hungarian attacks today.
- When the Serbian counteroffensive is launched this morning, it strikes the Austro-Hungarian armies at a particularly opportune moment. The occupation of Belgrade has stretched it to the northeast, leaving 6th Army with a longer front to cover. Moreover, the Austro-Hungarian supply situation is dire, as both food and ammunition are scarce, and the infantry are tired from the constant advance of the past month. The destruction of bridges and roads by the retreating Serbs has also held up heavy artillery, and thus most of the line cannot count on artillery fire for support.
Thus when the infantry of the Serbian 1st Army attack out of the morning mist at 7am, they are able to immediately shatter the lines. By nightfall all three corps of the Austro-Hungarian 6th Army are on the retreat. The response of General Potiorek is sluggish, as information is scarce and he believes only one corps of 6th Army has been seriously engaged.
- Today the troop convoy from Australia and New Zealand arrives at Alexandria. The soldiers begin to disembarck, and the first move by train to Cairo where their encampment is located.
- Having rounded Cape Horn, yesterday the German East Asiatic Squadron came across and seized an English sailing vessel with 2800 tons of coal, and this morning the squadron anchors off Picton Island. Admiral Spee, cognizant of the uncertainty of access to coal in the Atlantic, decides to take the time to parcel out the seized coal among his five ships.
- In central Poland the Russian III Caucasian Corps begins to move northwards towards Belchatow, occupied today by Austro-Hungarian cavalry, in order to strike the southern flank of the advance of the right wing of the German 9th Army and the left wing of the Austro-Hungarian 2nd Army. Radio messages indicating the planned counterattack are intercepted, however, which allows the Austro-Hungarian 2nd Army to plan an attack of its own to pre-empt the Russian operation. As the front north of Krakow has settled into trench warfare, the Austro-Hungarian 1st Army is able to order the redeployment of its 27th Division northwards to assist 4th Army.
- South of Krakow today the right wing of the Austro-Hungarian 4th Army, under the overall command of General Joseph Roth and consisting of XIV Corps and Nagy's cavalry divisions, push eastward today after defeating the Russians at Dobra yesterday, and capture Limanowa. However, though the southern flank of the Russian 3rd Army has given way, its centre stymies further Austro-Hungarian attacks today.
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| The Battle of Limanowa-Lapanow, December 1914. |
- When the Serbian counteroffensive is launched this morning, it strikes the Austro-Hungarian armies at a particularly opportune moment. The occupation of Belgrade has stretched it to the northeast, leaving 6th Army with a longer front to cover. Moreover, the Austro-Hungarian supply situation is dire, as both food and ammunition are scarce, and the infantry are tired from the constant advance of the past month. The destruction of bridges and roads by the retreating Serbs has also held up heavy artillery, and thus most of the line cannot count on artillery fire for support.
Thus when the infantry of the Serbian 1st Army attack out of the morning mist at 7am, they are able to immediately shatter the lines. By nightfall all three corps of the Austro-Hungarian 6th Army are on the retreat. The response of General Potiorek is sluggish, as information is scarce and he believes only one corps of 6th Army has been seriously engaged.
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| The Serbian counteroffensive, December 3rd to 12th, 1914. |
- Today the troop convoy from Australia and New Zealand arrives at Alexandria. The soldiers begin to disembarck, and the first move by train to Cairo where their encampment is located.
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| Australian soldiers arriving at Alexandria, December 3rd, 1914. |
- Having rounded Cape Horn, yesterday the German East Asiatic Squadron came across and seized an English sailing vessel with 2800 tons of coal, and this morning the squadron anchors off Picton Island. Admiral Spee, cognizant of the uncertainty of access to coal in the Atlantic, decides to take the time to parcel out the seized coal among his five ships.
Tuesday, December 02, 2014
December 2nd, 1914
- Falkenhayn, Hindenburg, and Ludendorff meet at Breslau today with Conrad and other military officials from both countries, with the Kaiser also in attendance. In discussing future operations on the Eastern Front, Falkenhayn informs Conrad that the Germans aim to push the Russians over the Vistula and San Rivers, with the principal role being played by the German 9th Army, for which reinforcements are still arriving. The German Chief of Staff expects the Austro-Hungarians to pin down Russian forces opposite their lines to prevent them from redeploying northwards to meet the main German thrust. Falkenhayn also states categorically that no further reinforcements will come from the Western Front.
This news is disappointing to Conrad, who hoped for more significant German redeployments to the East, specifically to aid the Austro-Hungarians. While not arguing with the overall premise of German strategy, Conrad does inform his German counterparts that his armies are about to undertake their own offensive actions south of the Vistula River.
- Southeast of Krakow, three Austro-Hungarian cavalry divisions under General Julius Nagy begin their advance today. Situated on the right of XIV Corps, they are to cover the southern flank of 4th Army as it advances to meet the Russian 3rd Army. One division heads towards Neusandez, a key town through which the Russian 8th Army can most easily send reinforcements to the Russian 3rd Army once the main battle begins.
- In the early hours of this morning, elements of the Austro-Hungarian 5th Army occupy Belgrade, encountering no opposition from the Serbian army. The news of the capture of the Serbian capital is greeted with widespread celebrations in Vienna, and is applauded by its German ally.
There are storm clouds on the horizon, however. For the past several days, soldiers of the Serbian 1st Army have been able to rest while being resupplied, and their morale has recovered from the November retreat. Fresh shipments of artillery shells have also reached 1st Army's artillery batteries. The commander of 1st Army orders a counterattack for tomorrow, and inspires General Putnik to instruct the entire Serbian army to go over onto the offensive.
- In South Africa, Christian De Wet's commando, one of the leading forces in the Boer Rebellion, has been decimated by desertion over the past few weeks since its defeat at Mushroom Valley, many being enticed by a promise of a government pardon. Today its disintegration is completed when De Wet himself is captured by government soldiers. At the same time, another of the rebel leaders, J. C. G. Kemp, and five hundred Boer rebels join forces with S. G. Maritz's force just inside the frontier of German South-West Africa, where the latter retreated after its defeat at Kakamas on October 24th.
This news is disappointing to Conrad, who hoped for more significant German redeployments to the East, specifically to aid the Austro-Hungarians. While not arguing with the overall premise of German strategy, Conrad does inform his German counterparts that his armies are about to undertake their own offensive actions south of the Vistula River.
- Southeast of Krakow, three Austro-Hungarian cavalry divisions under General Julius Nagy begin their advance today. Situated on the right of XIV Corps, they are to cover the southern flank of 4th Army as it advances to meet the Russian 3rd Army. One division heads towards Neusandez, a key town through which the Russian 8th Army can most easily send reinforcements to the Russian 3rd Army once the main battle begins.
- In the early hours of this morning, elements of the Austro-Hungarian 5th Army occupy Belgrade, encountering no opposition from the Serbian army. The news of the capture of the Serbian capital is greeted with widespread celebrations in Vienna, and is applauded by its German ally.
There are storm clouds on the horizon, however. For the past several days, soldiers of the Serbian 1st Army have been able to rest while being resupplied, and their morale has recovered from the November retreat. Fresh shipments of artillery shells have also reached 1st Army's artillery batteries. The commander of 1st Army orders a counterattack for tomorrow, and inspires General Putnik to instruct the entire Serbian army to go over onto the offensive.
- In South Africa, Christian De Wet's commando, one of the leading forces in the Boer Rebellion, has been decimated by desertion over the past few weeks since its defeat at Mushroom Valley, many being enticed by a promise of a government pardon. Today its disintegration is completed when De Wet himself is captured by government soldiers. At the same time, another of the rebel leaders, J. C. G. Kemp, and five hundred Boer rebels join forces with S. G. Maritz's force just inside the frontier of German South-West Africa, where the latter retreated after its defeat at Kakamas on October 24th.
Monday, December 01, 2014
December 1st, 1914
- Albert Ballin, a prominent German shipowner, and Hans-Nils Anderson, a Danish industrialist, begin negotiations to draw up a proposal designed to convert Russian conservatives to the cause of a separate peace.
- Yesterday the southern wing of the German 9th Army, comprised mainly of units recently arrived from the Western Front, began an attack to the south of Lodz, and today are joined by the northern wing of the Austro-Hungarian 2nd Army. The objective is to break through the Russian 5th and 4th Armies and outflank the Russian position at Lodz.
- The Battle of Limanowa-Lapanow opens today south of Krakow. The Austro-Hungarian XIV Corps, southern-most of 4th Army's corps and on the outside of the advance and turn into the Russian 3rd Army's flank, is still assembling its units, so the formations already present launch attacks today to keep the enemy away from its deployment zone.
- In the Carpathians elements of the Russian 8th Army seize the town of Bartfeld. After weeks of desperate fighting, the commander of the Austro-Hungarian 3rd Army holding the Carpathians informs Conrad today that his units will need a period of sustained rest before being capable of further operations, and will be unable to hold its present positions if the Russians continue to apply pressure. As such, 3rd Army commander considers whether preparations ought to begin for a retreat as far south as Budapest.
- Yesterday the southern wing of the German 9th Army, comprised mainly of units recently arrived from the Western Front, began an attack to the south of Lodz, and today are joined by the northern wing of the Austro-Hungarian 2nd Army. The objective is to break through the Russian 5th and 4th Armies and outflank the Russian position at Lodz.
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| The Eastern Front, December 1st, 1914. |
- The Battle of Limanowa-Lapanow opens today south of Krakow. The Austro-Hungarian XIV Corps, southern-most of 4th Army's corps and on the outside of the advance and turn into the Russian 3rd Army's flank, is still assembling its units, so the formations already present launch attacks today to keep the enemy away from its deployment zone.
- In the Carpathians elements of the Russian 8th Army seize the town of Bartfeld. After weeks of desperate fighting, the commander of the Austro-Hungarian 3rd Army holding the Carpathians informs Conrad today that his units will need a period of sustained rest before being capable of further operations, and will be unable to hold its present positions if the Russians continue to apply pressure. As such, 3rd Army commander considers whether preparations ought to begin for a retreat as far south as Budapest.
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