The Darkest hour of the Russian Empire
Chapter Two: 1915
Part IX: Fight and defend
Nastupaet minuta proschania,
Ty glyadish mne trevozhno v glaza,
I lovlyu ya rodnoe dykhanie,
A vdali uzhe dyshit groza.
Drognul vozdukh tumannyi i siniy,
I trevoga kosnulas' viskov,
I zovet nas na podvig Rossiya,
Veet vetrom ot shaga polkov.
The minute of leave-talking had come
You look in my eyes with anxiety
I feel your breath
While the storm is ready to break out
Blue and smoky air shivered
And disturbance touched my temples
Russia is calling us for battle
Regiments are marching fast
On 2nd of January the Galizian army was saved - Russian troops managed to take Lwow back, and the encirclement was broken. Commanders of 21st and 3rd Army Corps were awarded with St.George's orders.
Our army is free!
In the Caucasus the Turks moved all their forces to Trabzon. They wanted to prevent the Russian invasion, and they managed to do this - tired soldiers of GD Nicholas had to retreat.
It won't be easy to capture Trabzon
Turkish positions
On 6 of January after defeats in Eastern Prussia, the Germans decided to change the command - Erich von Falkenhayn was appointed as new commander.
New Head of Staff
Two days later, the Russian attempt to take Biyalostok back failed.
Biyalostok stills German
On 11 of January new operation in Galizia was announced - this offensive had to retake all Galizian provinces and to stabilize the Austrian front. The main target of the first battle was Tarnopol, because this city was strategically important for the Austrian breakthrough into Russian provinces. Stavka couldn't allow Austrians to attack Eastern Ukraine.
Tarnopol operation
Offensive in Galizia wasn't the single operation that the Russians started in January. With stabilized front HQ decided to continue taking Eastern-Prussian cities, but not to attack Konigsberg - Armies stormed Allenstein.
The Russians head for Allenstein
Christmas in the frontline (Orthodox Christmas is on 7 of January)
On 15 of January the British started naval blockade against German Empire.
That will help us
In the Serbian front things continued going well - Serbia didn't want to surrender and kept some Austrian provinces.
Serbian front
On 25 of January Sikorsky designed new interceptor for the Imperial Air Force - Sikorsky S-20.
New technology
Sikorsky S-20 after the trials
Also, Alexander Kolchak started researching Concentrated Firepower doctrine for the Imperial Navy.
Russian scientific projects, 25 of January
A day later Austrians left Przemysl - Galizian operation went well.
Brusilov is victorious
On 7 of February German navy engaged Russian squadron in Danzig Bay.
Naval battle in the Baltic Sea
Russian heavy cruiser of Baltic fleet
The fight was long and difficult - the German squadron had 25 vessels, while Russian Beltic Fleet consisted of only 20. After desperate battle Russian fleet had to fall back, but tactically it was victory.
Battle of Danzig Gulf showed that the Russian fleet was able to sink German ships. The Russians lost 3 Destroyer flotillas (15 ships), 1 Transport flotilla (5 ships), 1 Light Cruiser (Bogatyr), 4 Heavy Cruisers (Rurik, Admiral Makarov, Rossia, Gromoboi) and 1 Battleship (Imperator Pavel I).
The Germans losses were heavier - 3 DD Flotillas (15 ships), 5 Light Cruisers (Freya, Arkona, Nautilus, Gefion, Bremen), 3 Heavy Cruisers (Hagen, Heimdall, Odin) and 2 Battleships (Mecklenburg, Schwaben).
The war continues
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Next update: November, 1 November, 5