Baranovichi offensive

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Baranovichi offensive
Part of the Eastern Front during World War I
Karte Branowitschi 1916.jpg
Date3–25 July 1916
Location
Baranovichi (Then Russian Empire, present-day Belarus)
Result Central Powers victory
Belligerents
Flag of the German Empire.svg  Germany
Flag of Austria-Hungary (1867-1918).svg  Austria-Hungary
Flag of Russia (1914-1917).svg Russian Empire
Commanders and leaders
Flag of the German Empire.svg Prince Leopold of Bavaria
Flag of the German Empire.svg Remus von Woyrsch
Flag of Russia (1914-1917).svg Alexei Evert
Flag of Russia (1914-1917).svg Alexander Ragoza
Strength
Flag of the German Empire.svg 9th Army Flag of Russia (1914-1917).svg 4th Army
Casualties and losses
13,000 [1] –40,000 [2] 80,000 [3] –120,000 [4]
General Adams, Commander of a German division at the battle of Baranowitschi - Labusy in March 1917 General Adams, Commander of a victorious division at the battle of Baranowitschi - Labusy. March 1917 - NARA - 17390550 (cropped).jpg
General Adams, Commander of a German division at the battle of Baranowitschi - Labusy in March 1917

The Baranovichi offensive was a battle fought on the Eastern Front during World War I between an army of Russia and the forces of Germany and Austria-Hungary in July 1916.

Contents

Background

Concurrent to an attack by Russian Southwestern Front, the Russian Western Front was to launch an offensive in the direction of Vilna. However, the plan of attack was changed - instead of an attack on Vilna, the offensive was to target the area of Baranovichi. This change of direction came about due to orders from above, mediated in a vision to Grigory Rasputin, and accepted by the Tsar, as commander-in-chief. In early June 1916, the troops of the Southwestern Front began their offensive, achieving breakthroughs against the Austro-Hungarian army and advancing into Galicia. However, General A. E. Evert, commander of the Russian Western Front, twice postponed planned offensive towards Baranovichi, first on May 31, then on June 4, and then attempted to cancel the operation altogether. By order of Russian GHQ, General Evert was obliged to " attack the enemy on the front - Nowogrodek - Baranovichi" on June 3.

Battle

The Russian Fourth Army launched the first attack on July 2 with three army corps, but had stalled by the next day. The Russians revived the offensive on July 4 but again stalled after only two days of fighting. Under the cover of night on July 8, the Russians launched a third push but all Russian attacks were repulsed by the end of the following day. On July 14, the German Army counterattacked and took back all lost ground. A final Russian attempt was made from July 25 to July 29, but yet again failed.

Results

Despite months of preparation and a sixfold advantage in manpower and artillery, the Russians failed to break through the fortified German positions, seizing only the first fortified line in some areas of the offensive which was then lost to German counterattacks.

Literature

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References

  1. Залесский К. А. , 2003. — p. 699.
  2. Oleynikov 2016, p. 258.
  3. Залесский К. А. Кто был кто в Первой мировой войне. — М:Астрель. АСТ, 2003. — p. 699.
  4. Oleynikov 2016, p. 242.

Sources