THE RUSSIAN ·OFFENSIVE OF JULY, 1917.
The second wave of the attack awaiting the order to advance. This Siberian force captured Dzike Lany, a fortified summit south-west of Brzezany
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-russian-attack-in-galicia-cmp3dfw5s?CMP=TNLEmail_118918_1980118
The Russian attack in Galicia
The Germans make the usual claim to have inflicted heavy casualties on the Russian forces, and it is significant that the Russians themselves admit that some of their detachments “sustained severe losses, especially in officers”
July 3, 1917
The fierce battle in Galicia on Sunday has ended the stagnation on the Russian front, and confounded the prophets of evil who thought quite sincerely that Russia was “out of the war”. We can only hope that the fine example of the Russian South-Western Army will prove infectious, and that north of the Pripet marshes the inactive troops will once more take up their arms.
In Galicia, at any rate, the Russian soldiers have plunged into the conflict with an ardour which seems to have already produced remarkable results. It is stated that in one day’s fighting on Sunday they took prisoners 173 officers and more than 10,000 men, which is more than the entire British captures on the Western front during June. The attack was delivered north and south of Brzezany on a front of many miles. Brzezany is the stronghold on the Zlota Lipa, south-east of Lemberg, which helped to check the Russian advance last summer and autumn.
The whole countryside in this part of Galicia is hilly and difficult, and rapid movements are impossible. Reports from both sides testify that the struggle on Sunday was fierce and bitter. The capture by the Russians of the well-fortified position at the village of Koniuchy, north of Besezany, is admitted. The Germans make the usual claim to have inflicted heavy casualties on the Russian forces, and it is significant that the Russians themselves admit that some of their detachments “sustained severe losses, especially in officers”. The line attacked was held by mixed German and Austrian troops, together with some Turks, these last probably amounting to a couple of depleted divisions.
We must wait a few days before assessing the precise magnitude of the new Russian offensive, but meanwhile we may rejoice that the Provisional Government and General Brusiloff have succeeded in renewing military operations The Germans were talking of Russian activity all last week, and their apprehensions were marked by a change of tone in the German Press, which suddenly began to taunt the Russian forces with incompetence.
We shall not indulge in premature congratulations, but our Russian Allies may be assured that their comrades in the West are greatly cheered by the news from Galicia. Sunday’s battle should mark the revival of the conviction that Russian liberties can only be assured, and that a lasting peace can only be won, by the definite overthrow of the German and Austrian armies in the field.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/russian-troops-defection-ttst7txxt?CMP=TNLEmail_118918_1980118
In Galicia, at any rate, the Russian soldiers have plunged into the conflict with an ardour which seems to have already produced remarkable results. It is stated that in one day’s fighting on Sunday they took prisoners 173 officers and more than 10,000 men, which is more than the entire British captures on the Western front during June. The attack was delivered north and south of Brzezany on a front of many miles. Brzezany is the stronghold on the Zlota Lipa, south-east of Lemberg, which helped to check the Russian advance last summer and autumn.
The whole countryside in this part of Galicia is hilly and difficult, and rapid movements are impossible. Reports from both sides testify that the struggle on Sunday was fierce and bitter. The capture by the Russians of the well-fortified position at the village of Koniuchy, north of Besezany, is admitted. The Germans make the usual claim to have inflicted heavy casualties on the Russian forces, and it is significant that the Russians themselves admit that some of their detachments “sustained severe losses, especially in officers”. The line attacked was held by mixed German and Austrian troops, together with some Turks, these last probably amounting to a couple of depleted divisions.
We must wait a few days before assessing the precise magnitude of the new Russian offensive, but meanwhile we may rejoice that the Provisional Government and General Brusiloff have succeeded in renewing military operations The Germans were talking of Russian activity all last week, and their apprehensions were marked by a change of tone in the German Press, which suddenly began to taunt the Russian forces with incompetence.
We shall not indulge in premature congratulations, but our Russian Allies may be assured that their comrades in the West are greatly cheered by the news from Galicia. Sunday’s battle should mark the revival of the conviction that Russian liberties can only be assured, and that a lasting peace can only be won, by the definite overthrow of the German and Austrian armies in the field.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/russian-troops-defection-ttst7txxt?CMP=TNLEmail_118918_1980118
Russian troops’ defection
Under the influence of the extremists (Maximalists) several detachments, having received the command to support the attacked detachments, held meetings and discussed the advisability of obeying the order, whereupon some of the regiments refused to obey the military command
July 21, 1917
Certain Russian regiments in Galicia, infected with the spirit of insubordination resulting from extremist agitation, left their positions during the German onslaught on Thursday and retired from the battle. To this, rather than to the superiority of German arms, was due the breach in the lines which was announced yesterday.
It is not yet clear how far the German advance has gone. The first report from Berlin was that three lines of trenches were carried, but the evening statement was that the enemy were closely pursuing the retreating Russians. Several thousand prisoners were taken. Similar indiscipline, though attended with less serious consequences, occurred farther south on General Korniloff’s front. One unit left the village of Bludniki to the enemy and crossed the River Lomnica. Another south of Kalusz, when faced by an attack, began to retire without orders.
The Russian commander at once threw in his reserves, which with a furious onslaught which swept the retreating battalion along with them, rapidly retrieved the situation. Our correspondent with this Army, telegraphing at an earlier date, says that the present system of military committees has failed and future success will depend upon a proper restoration of discipline.
NORTH-EAST GALICIA.
After strong artillery preparation, the enemy persistently attacked our detachments on the Pieniaki-Harbuzow front [on both sides of the headwaters of the Sereth and 20 miles south of Brody]. At first all these attacks were repelled. At 10 o’clock, the 607th Mlynoff Regiment, situated between Batkow and Manajow (in the same region), left their trenches voluntarily and retired, with the result that the neighbouring units had to retire also. This gave the enemy the opportunity for developing his success.
Our failure is explained to a considerable degree by the fact that under the influence of the extremists (Maximalists) several detachments, having received the command to support the attacked detachments, held meetings and discussed the advisability of obeying the order, whereupon some of the regiments refused to obey the military command. The efforts of the commanders and committees to arouse the men to the fulfilment of the commands were fruitless.
East of Brzezany, to the south of Szybalin, the Austro-Germans, after repeated attacks, occupied a portion of the first line of trenches. The enemy’s efforts to attack us to the south of Brzezany were repelled by our fire.
SOUTH-EAST GALICIA.
West of Halicz the detachments occupying the village of Bludniki retired, whereupon the enemy, profiting by this movement, occupied the place. The effort to win back this village was unsuccessful. According to supplementary reports received on July 17 about 7 o’clock in the evening, when the enemy took the offensive and seized the height to the south of the village of Nowica (south of Kalusz), one of our regiments began to leave. Major-General Prince Gagarin, Commander of the Military District, seeing the critical situation, at once moved forward a battalion of the Ukhnoff Regiment, commanded by 2nd Captain Burishen, which had recently arrived in this district. The latter conducted an energetic attack.
Simultaneously General Prince Gagarin threw into the attack on both flanks of the advancing infantry native cavalry regiments - the Daghestanians on the right, the Circassians and the Kabardians on the left. With a furious onslaught the Ukhnoff Regiment and the natives rushed forward, bearing also with them the Russian regiment which had retired. The general onslaught soon changed the situation in our favour. The advancing enemy fled in disorderly fashion, and our former position was restored. The brilliant work of the artillery of this command contributed decisively to the success.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/russias-enemies-at-home-b2mnpzz60?CMP=TNLEmail_118918_1980118
It is not yet clear how far the German advance has gone. The first report from Berlin was that three lines of trenches were carried, but the evening statement was that the enemy were closely pursuing the retreating Russians. Several thousand prisoners were taken. Similar indiscipline, though attended with less serious consequences, occurred farther south on General Korniloff’s front. One unit left the village of Bludniki to the enemy and crossed the River Lomnica. Another south of Kalusz, when faced by an attack, began to retire without orders.
The Russian commander at once threw in his reserves, which with a furious onslaught which swept the retreating battalion along with them, rapidly retrieved the situation. Our correspondent with this Army, telegraphing at an earlier date, says that the present system of military committees has failed and future success will depend upon a proper restoration of discipline.
NORTH-EAST GALICIA.
After strong artillery preparation, the enemy persistently attacked our detachments on the Pieniaki-Harbuzow front [on both sides of the headwaters of the Sereth and 20 miles south of Brody]. At first all these attacks were repelled. At 10 o’clock, the 607th Mlynoff Regiment, situated between Batkow and Manajow (in the same region), left their trenches voluntarily and retired, with the result that the neighbouring units had to retire also. This gave the enemy the opportunity for developing his success.
East of Brzezany, to the south of Szybalin, the Austro-Germans, after repeated attacks, occupied a portion of the first line of trenches. The enemy’s efforts to attack us to the south of Brzezany were repelled by our fire.
SOUTH-EAST GALICIA.
West of Halicz the detachments occupying the village of Bludniki retired, whereupon the enemy, profiting by this movement, occupied the place. The effort to win back this village was unsuccessful. According to supplementary reports received on July 17 about 7 o’clock in the evening, when the enemy took the offensive and seized the height to the south of the village of Nowica (south of Kalusz), one of our regiments began to leave. Major-General Prince Gagarin, Commander of the Military District, seeing the critical situation, at once moved forward a battalion of the Ukhnoff Regiment, commanded by 2nd Captain Burishen, which had recently arrived in this district. The latter conducted an energetic attack.
Simultaneously General Prince Gagarin threw into the attack on both flanks of the advancing infantry native cavalry regiments - the Daghestanians on the right, the Circassians and the Kabardians on the left. With a furious onslaught the Ukhnoff Regiment and the natives rushed forward, bearing also with them the Russian regiment which had retired. The general onslaught soon changed the situation in our favour. The advancing enemy fled in disorderly fashion, and our former position was restored. The brilliant work of the artillery of this command contributed decisively to the success.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/russias-enemies-at-home-b2mnpzz60?CMP=TNLEmail_118918_1980118
Russia’s enemies at home
General Brusiloff’s reports do not mince matters. For the last three days they speak of “troops not showing the necessary stability”, of “complete disobedience” to commanders, of “almost uninterrupted retreat” before inferior forces
July 24, 1917
The new Government of Russia have marked their accession to office by an act of singular wisdom and courage. M Kerensky and his colleagues have dared to tell the nation the truth on the internal situation and to allow others to tell it. That way lies the best hope for the salvation of all that the Revolution has won and of the very existence of the State. Only a shock which will at once awaken the silent millions who are the real Russian people to the reality and the imminence of the dangers that hang over their country can save her while it is yet time. The true picture of the actual position presented to them by the chief Revolutionary authorities should bring vividly to their minds the need of instant and decisive action. The Prime Minister, whose brilliant services to the Revolution are above suspicion, the Ministry he has gathered round him in this hour of grave national peril, the Soviet, and the Council of Peasants’ Delegates have all raised their voice in warning and in exhortation.
Still more significant are the reports, official and unofficial, from the front where Russian soldiers have so often covered themselves with glory, and where, within the last few weeks, Brusiloff was driving Germans and Austrians before his victorious advance. All tell the same lamentable tale; all foresee the coming ruin of Russian freedom and of Russian safety, unless the cancer of anarchy which is eating into the State and into its armies is swiftly and ruthlessly cut out.
Levity, fanaticism, and treachery, the Government bluntly tell the nation, are threatening the very foundations of new free Russia. They have brought the Kaiser’s armies victoriously through the Russian lines; they have led to the abandonment without a serious struggle of wide districts in Galicia; they have led, we hear today, to the fall of Tarnopol.
General Brusiloff’s reports do not mince matters. For the last three days they speak of “troops not showing the necessary stability”, of “complete disobedience” to commanders, of “almost uninterrupted retreat” before inferior forces. Today we are told that a new Russian offensive near Vilna, which was at first successful, “is being jeopardized by instability and moral weakness” in certain regiments. The officers sacrifice themselves wholesale, but their tainted troops will not follow them. Still darker is the story told by the “Executive Committee of the Second Army” and the Government Commissary with it. They do not hesitate to affirm that on the front of that force the German offensive “is assuming the character of a disaster”.
The disaffection is not universal. The enemy themselves speak of the “strong attacks” they have sustained and the “desperate encounters” in which they have fought. But manifestly it is widespread, and has been tending to spread still more. The centre and source of all this treason is, it need hardly be said, the Maximalist movement in Petrograd. The Germans have never found so good an investment for their forged notes as in financing this deadly parasite of the democratic Revolution. It is the outbreaks in the capital last week which have set the example of insubordination, mutiny, and anarchy in the Armies. The mine had long been prepared, and the attempted insurrection fired the train.
M Kerensky seems to have grasped the truth that the only effectual means to check both is stern repression. Bodies of troops which can be trusted have been summoned to Petrograd, and the fire with which the anarchists greeted them only stirred them to indignation. By Saturday the Prime Minister had denounced, the “traitorous activity” of the leaders and the deputation from the Baltic Fleet, and ordered their immediate arrest.
He directed the dissolution of the Committee which had practically assumed control of the squadron, and the dispatch for trial of other ringleaders, together with all suspected of inciting to insubordination against the Government. He added that persons refusing to obey these orders would be branded as traitors to the country and the Revolution, and would be the subject of “the most rigorous measures”. That is the way to command.
The Government followed next day with the proclamation in which they pledged themselves, as their first and capital task, to employ their whole strength against the foreign foe and in defence of the new regime against “every anarchical and counter-revolutionary attempt”. For these ends, they declare, they will “take the most rigorous measures in their power”. If and when such measures are successfully carried out, the prospects of ordered liberty and of national safety in Russia will have immeasurably improved. Whether they can be so carried out depends upon the sustained firmness of the authorities and the measure of effective support they receive from the real nation and from the sound portion of the Army. The matter must soon come to a test. The Soviet and the Council of Peasants’ Delegates have resolved that the country and the Revolution are in danger, and have voted unlimited power to the Governrnent for the re-establishment of discipline in the Army and for “war to the knife against revolution and anarchy”.
From the front the Executive Committee of the Second Army announce that the Commander-in-Chief yesterday issued orders that deserters should be fired upon. This body of faithful soldiers has no doubt as to what the Government should do. “Let the country know the truth, let it act without mercy, and let it find courage to strike those who by their cowardice are destroying and selling Russia and the Revolution.”
Trust the people and strike home. The Government which can do that will save both the State and the democracy.
Still more significant are the reports, official and unofficial, from the front where Russian soldiers have so often covered themselves with glory, and where, within the last few weeks, Brusiloff was driving Germans and Austrians before his victorious advance. All tell the same lamentable tale; all foresee the coming ruin of Russian freedom and of Russian safety, unless the cancer of anarchy which is eating into the State and into its armies is swiftly and ruthlessly cut out.
Levity, fanaticism, and treachery, the Government bluntly tell the nation, are threatening the very foundations of new free Russia. They have brought the Kaiser’s armies victoriously through the Russian lines; they have led to the abandonment without a serious struggle of wide districts in Galicia; they have led, we hear today, to the fall of Tarnopol.
General Brusiloff’s reports do not mince matters. For the last three days they speak of “troops not showing the necessary stability”, of “complete disobedience” to commanders, of “almost uninterrupted retreat” before inferior forces. Today we are told that a new Russian offensive near Vilna, which was at first successful, “is being jeopardized by instability and moral weakness” in certain regiments. The officers sacrifice themselves wholesale, but their tainted troops will not follow them. Still darker is the story told by the “Executive Committee of the Second Army” and the Government Commissary with it. They do not hesitate to affirm that on the front of that force the German offensive “is assuming the character of a disaster”.
The disaffection is not universal. The enemy themselves speak of the “strong attacks” they have sustained and the “desperate encounters” in which they have fought. But manifestly it is widespread, and has been tending to spread still more. The centre and source of all this treason is, it need hardly be said, the Maximalist movement in Petrograd. The Germans have never found so good an investment for their forged notes as in financing this deadly parasite of the democratic Revolution. It is the outbreaks in the capital last week which have set the example of insubordination, mutiny, and anarchy in the Armies. The mine had long been prepared, and the attempted insurrection fired the train.
He directed the dissolution of the Committee which had practically assumed control of the squadron, and the dispatch for trial of other ringleaders, together with all suspected of inciting to insubordination against the Government. He added that persons refusing to obey these orders would be branded as traitors to the country and the Revolution, and would be the subject of “the most rigorous measures”. That is the way to command.
The Government followed next day with the proclamation in which they pledged themselves, as their first and capital task, to employ their whole strength against the foreign foe and in defence of the new regime against “every anarchical and counter-revolutionary attempt”. For these ends, they declare, they will “take the most rigorous measures in their power”. If and when such measures are successfully carried out, the prospects of ordered liberty and of national safety in Russia will have immeasurably improved. Whether they can be so carried out depends upon the sustained firmness of the authorities and the measure of effective support they receive from the real nation and from the sound portion of the Army. The matter must soon come to a test. The Soviet and the Council of Peasants’ Delegates have resolved that the country and the Revolution are in danger, and have voted unlimited power to the Governrnent for the re-establishment of discipline in the Army and for “war to the knife against revolution and anarchy”.
From the front the Executive Committee of the Second Army announce that the Commander-in-Chief yesterday issued orders that deserters should be fired upon. This body of faithful soldiers has no doubt as to what the Government should do. “Let the country know the truth, let it act without mercy, and let it find courage to strike those who by their cowardice are destroying and selling Russia and the Revolution.”
Trust the people and strike home. The Government which can do that will save both the State and the democracy.
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