1 World Patriotic War. The main events of the First World War
Commander
Forces side
First world War (July 28, 1914 - November 11, 1918) - one of the largest armed conflicts in the history of mankind. The first global armed conflict of the XX century. As a result of the war, four empires ceased their existence: Russian, Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman and German. The participating countries lost more than 10 million people killed soldiers, about 12 million killed civilians, about 55 million were injured.
Military actions to the sea in the First World War
Participants
The main participants of the First World War:
Central powers: German Empire, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire, Bulgaria.
Entente: Russian Empire, France, United Kingdom.
Full list of participants See: First World War (Wikipedia)
Background conflict
The naval arms race between the British Empire and the German Empire was one of the most important causes of World War II. Germany wanted to increase her military fleet to magnitude, which would allow German Overseas Trade to independently depend on the goodwill of Britain. However, the increase in the German fleet to magnitude comparable to the British fleet inevitably raised the very existence of the British Empire.
Campaign 1914.
Breakthrough of the German Mediterranean Division to Turkey
On July 28, 1914, Austria-Hungary declared War of Serbia. Mediterranean Squades of Kaiserovskaya Navy under the command of the counter-admiral Wilhelm Sushon (Linear Cruiser Goeben. and light cruiser Breslau.), not wanting to be captured in the Adriatic, reached Turkey. The German ships escaped the clashes with the superior enemy forces and, passing through Dardanelles, came to Constantinople. The arrival of the German squadron to Constantinople became one of the factors that pushed the Ottoman Empire to join the First World War on the side Tripping Union.
Actions in the North Sea and in the Strait of La Mans
Far Blocade of the Fleet Germany
The British fleet intended to solve its strategic tasks by means of a long blockade of German ports. The German fleet, gave way to the British forces, chose a defensive strategy and began the production of mineral offices. In August 1914, the British fleet carried out the transfer of troops to the continent. During the shelter, the transfer occurred in the Gelgoland Bay.
Both sides actively used submarines. The German submarines acted more successfully, so on September 22, 1914, U-9 sank 3 English cruisers at once. In response, the British fleet began to enhance anti-submarine defense, the Northern Patrol was created.
Actions in the Barents and the White Sea
Actions in the Barents Sea
In the summer of 1916, the Germans, knowing that an increasing number of military cargo enters Russia Northern seawayThey sent their submarines in the waters of Barents and the White Seas. They sink 31 allies ship. For confrontation, they created the Russian fleet of the Arctic Ocean.
Actions in the Baltic Sea
Plans of both parties for 1916 did not provide for any major operations. Germany held minor forces in Baltik, and the Baltic Fleet constantly increased its defensive positions by the device of new minefields and coastal batteries. Actions have brought to raid operations of light strength. In one of these operations, on November 10, 1916, the German 10th fleet of the "Esmintsev" lost 7 ships at the minefield at once.
Despite the defensive nature of the action of both parties, losses in the ship's composition in 1916 were essential, especially in the German fleet. The Germans lost 1 auxiliary cruiser, 8 Squaded Mission, 1 submarine, 8 trawls and small ships, 3 military transports. Russian fleet lost 2 squadrocks, 2 submarines, 5 travelers and small ships, 1 Military transport.
Campaign 1917.
Dynamics of loss and reproduction of the tonnage of the Allied countries
Actions in Western European waters and in the Atlantic
April 1 - it was decided to introduce the convoy system on all messages. With the introduction of the convoy system and an increase in the forces and means of anti-submarine defense losses in the trading tonnage began to decline. Other measures were introduced to enhance the fight against boats - the mass installation of guns to commercial vessels was launched. During 1917, the guns were installed on 3,000 English courts, and by the beginning of 1918 weapons had up to 90% of all large-tonnant British shopping ships. In the second half of the campaign, the British began to mass production of anti-submarine minebones - in just 1917 they put 33,660 min in the North Sea and Atlantic. For 11 months of unlimited underwater war, she lost only in the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean of 1037 vessels with a total tonnage of 2 million 600 thousand tons. In addition, allies and neutral countries lost 1085 vessels with a capacity of 1 million 647 thousand tons. During 1917, Germany built 103 new boats, and losses were 72 boats, of which 61 were killed in the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
Cruiser campaign Wolf.
Raid German cruisers
On October 16 - 18 and 11-12, the German lightweight cruisers and the squadrock destroyers committed attacks on the "Scandinavian" convoys and achieved major success - they were allowed to go to the bottom of 3 English convoyed destroyers, 3 trawlera, 15 steamats and damaged 1 destroyer. Germany in 1917 completed to act on the communications of the Entente with surface raiders. The last raid made a raider Wolf. - He swelling 37 vessels with a total tonnage of about 214,000 tons. The fight against the navigation of the Entente has passed solely on submarines.
Actions in the Mediterranean and Adriatic
Outrantky Barrage
The fighting at the Mediterranean coated down mainly to unlimited actions of the German boats on the enemy's marine messages and the anti-submarine defense of the allies. For 11 months of unlimited underwater war on the Mediterranean Sea, the German and Austrian boats were sinking 651 vessels of allies and neutral countries with a total tonnage of 1 million 647 thousand tons. In addition, in the mines supplied by boat-barriers, over hundreds of courts were died and died with a total displacement of 61 thousand tons. Large losses from boats in 1917 suffered the naval forces of the Allies on the Mediterranean Sea: 2 linear ships (English - Cornwallis, French - Danton.), 1 cruiser (French - Châteaurenault), 1 Barrier, 1 monitor, 2 destroyers, 1 submarine. The Germans lost 3 boats, Austrians - 1.
Actions in Baltic
Defense of the Moonzund Archipelago in 1917
February and October Revolutions in Petrograd completely undermined combat capability Baltic Fleet.. On April 30, the Matosan Central Committee of the Baltic Fleet (Centrobalt) was established, which controlled the activities of officers.
From September 29 to October 20, 1917, using a quantitative and qualitative advantage, German Navy and ground forces He conducted an operation "Albion" to master the Moonzund Islands in the Baltic Sea. In the operation, the German fleet lost 10 destroyers and 6 trails, defending - 1 armor, 1 destroyer, 1 submarine, up to 20,000 soldiers and sailors were captured. The Moonzund Archipelago and the Riga Bay were left by Russian forces, the Germans managed to create a direct threat to a military attack for Petrograd.
Actions in the Black Sea
Year to date Black Sea Fleet He continued to block the Bosphorus, as a result of which the Turkish fleet ended the coal and his ships stood in the databases. The February events in Petrograd, the renunciation of the emperor (March 2) sharply undermined the morale and discipline. Fleet's actions in the summer - autumn 1917 were limited to the raids of the destroyers, which were still disturbed by the Turkish coast.
During the whole campaign of 1917, the Black Sea Fleet led the preparation for large amphibian operation on the Bosphorus. It was assumed to plant 3-4 rifle cases and other parts. However, the timing of the landing operation was repeatedly postponed, in October the rate decided to transfer the Bosphorus operation to the next campaign.
Campaign 1918.
Events in Baltic, on the Black Sea and in the north
On March 3, 1918, a peaceful treaty was signed in Brest Litovsk by representatives of Soviet Russia and the central powers. Russia came out of World War II.
All subsequent martialctionswhich occurred on the data of the theaters of the fighting, historically belongs to
Start XX century. It is characterized by the exacerbation of the struggle between countries for the markets of raw materials and the sale of goods, for dominance in the international arena. In connection with the expansion of German expansion, Russia and the United Kingdom in 1907 signed an agreement on the division of spheres of influence in Iran, Afghanistan and Tibet. Following the "heartguard" of France and England in 1904, the Russian-English agreement led to the formation of the Russian-Franco-British Union, finally issued in 1907 and received the name Entente. Europe split into two hostile camps - the Triple Union (Germany, Italy, Austria-Hungary) and Annta (France, England, Russia). The First World War began.
Causes of the First World War
- The aggravation of contradictions between industrial powers due to markets for markets for raw materials, spheres of influence.
- The struggle for the redistribution of peace between the desired union and anntha.
- The desire of developed countries to expansion - territorial, military-political, financial and economic, socio-cultural expansion.
Russian goals in war
- Strengthening Russia's position in the Balkans during the provision of assistance to Slavic peoples.
- Fight for control over Black Sea! Straits.
- Countering Austria-Hungary aggression, in relation to Serbia.
Raise to war
June 28, 1914. The heir of the Austro-Hungarian throne of the Austro-Hungarian throne of the Eret Duke of Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo Bosnian gymnasium Gavrili Principle is the nationality by nationality.
World War I.
MAIN EVENTS
1914 |
|
| July 23 | Austria-Hungary, with the support of Germany, accused Serbia in the murder there, and put forward to her ultimatum. |
| July 28th | Austria-Hungary declared the failure to comply with the ultimatum and announced Serbia War. |
| July 30-31 | Mobilization began in Russia. |
| August 1 | Germany in response to the beginning mobilization announced the war of Russia. |
| August 3rd | Germany declared France war. |
| August 4 | England joined the war. |
| August 6. | Austria-Hungary declared war of Russia. |
| Fall | A number of combat operations were carried out, the seizure of Lviv by Russian troops, the defeat of the 2nd Russian army. |
| Results: 1) Runted the strategic plan of Germany - the lightning and alternate defeat of France and Russia, 2) none of the parties achieved decisive success. | |
1915 |
|
| During a year | Main fighting moved to the eastern front, the goal is to defeat the Russian troops. |
| Spring Summer | A breakthrough of the German troops was carried out: Russian troops were ousted from Galicia, Poland, the part of the Baltic States, Ukraine and Belarus. |
| 8 September | Nicholas II accepted the role of commander-in-chief. |
| By the end of the year | The war on all fronts took the position that was extremely unprofitable Germany. The German command decided to re-postpone his efforts to the West Front, having completed a breakthrough in the area of \u200b\u200bthe French fortress Verden. |
| Results: 1) Runted the strategic plan of Germany - to withdraw Russia from the war, 2) the struggle acquired a positional character on all fronts. | |
1916 |
|
| February 13-16 | Russian troops occupied Erzurum. |
| March 18-30 | A narrocal operation was held - the offensive of Russian troops, who did not have combat success, but the facilitious position of the allies under the verte. |
| May 22 - September 7 | During the Brusilovsky breakthrough of Russian troops on the south-western front of the Army of Austria-Hungary and Germany, defeated. |
| During a year | Germany lost strategic initiative. |
| Results: 1) The offensive of the Russian troops saved the French fortress Verden, 2) Germany lost the strategic initiative, 3) Romania spoke on the side of the Entente. | |
1917-1918 |
|
| Winter 1917 | Mitava and Trapezundic operations. |
| April 18, 1917 | A note of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Temporary Government of Russia P. N. Milyukova was published about the loyalty of Russia to the Union obligations. The document is addressed to the governments of the Entente countries. |
| November 7, 1917 | October Revolution in Russia. The Bolsheviks came to power immediately accepted the decree on the world. |
| December 15, 1917 | Soviet Russia signed a separable truce with Germany and Turkey. |
| February 18, 1918 | The offensive of the Austro-German troops throughout the Eastern Front after the refusal of the People's Commissar of Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Government L. D. Trotsky to agree to the Ultimatum of the Germans. |
| March 3, 1918 | Brest world is concluded between Soviet Russia and central European powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary), Turkey. |
| Results: 1) The Russian army is completely demoralized, the people require the world, 2) On November 20 (December 3), 1917, the Bolsheviks began negotiations on the world, and on March 3, 1918, the Brest world was signed. | |
Results of war for Russia
- The Russian Empire lost Poland, Finland, Baltic States, Ukraine and part of Belarus (territory managed in Germany, some of them were formally proclaimed independent).
- Russia was inferior to Turkey Kars, Ardagan, Batum.
- Germany was paid 6 billion stamps of the Contribution.
Influence of war on Russian society
At the beginning of hostilities, the country captured the wave of patriotism. But after the first defeats of the Russian Army, a significant part of society was aware of the futility of war for Russia.
The First World War strongly complicated the lives of people. The orientation of the industry for military orders led to a shortage of consumption goods, which caused significant growth prices for them. Also loading railways Military transport led to interruptions in the supply of products into large cities.
By 1916, the strike movement again gained strength, and along with economic requirements, political sounds. Due to the heavy economic situation, the peasants did not want to sell products agriculture, preferring to wait for the best times. By the end of 1916, in 31 provinces, the government was forced to introduce pRODIVERSE - Forced cutting bread on solid prices.
Unrest in the rear also led to the fall of the discipline at the front. Huge and often unjustified losses have a negative impact on the moral spirit of the army and public opinion on the war. Losses on the front and instability in the economy also led to a decrease in the authority of the imperial power. It reached the open criticism of Nicholas II's actions by various parties. A flurry of discontent caused the figure of Rasputin, who was close to the family of the emperor and, using his influence on the empress, intervened in cases concerning government management. In Russia, gradually
World War II 1914 - 1918. I became one of the most bloody and large-scale conflicts in human history. It began on July 28, 1914 and ended on November 11, 1918. 38 states participated in this conflict. If we talk about the reasons for the First World War, you can confidently argue that this conflict has been provoked by the serious economic contradictions of the world powers in the beginning of the century of alliants. Also, it is worth noting that it probably existed the possibility of a peaceful settlement of these contradictions. However, feeling the increased power, Germany and Austria-Hungary moved to more decisive actions.
Participants of the First World War were:
- on the one hand, the Four Union, which included Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, Turkey (Ottoman Empire);
- with another Anttanta block, which was Russia, France, England and the Allied Countries (Italy, Romania and many others).
The beginning of the First World War was provoked by the murder of the heir to the Austrian throne of Ertzgertzog Franz Ferdinand and his wife by a member of the Serbian nationalist terrorist organization. The murder committed by Gavrila Principle provoked a conflict of Austria with Serbia. Germany supported Austria and entered the war.
The course of the First World War, historians divide on five separate military campaigns.
The beginning of the 1914 military campaign dates back July 28. On August 1, Germany entered into war declares the war of Russia, and on August 3 and France. German troops invade Luxembourg and, later, Belgium. In 1914 essential events The First World War turned out in the territory of France and today are known as "Run to the Sea". In an effort to surround the enemy's troops, both army moved to the coast where the front line was closed. France has retained control over port cities. Gradually, the front line has stabilized. The calculation of the German command for the rapid seizure of France was not justified. Since the strengths of both parties were exhausted, the war took a positional character. These are events on the Western Front.
Military actions on Eastern Front started on August 17th. Russian army began an offensive on eastern part Prussia and originally it turned out to be quite successful. The victory in the Galic Battle (August 18) was adopted by most of the society with joy. After that, the battle of Austria's troops no longer entered serious battles with Russia in 1914
Events and the Balkans did not grow too successfully. Previously, Austria Belgrade was captured by Serbs. There were no active fights in Serbia this year. In the same, in 1914, Japan came against Germany, which allowed Russia to protect the Asian borders. Japan has begun actions to seize German's island colonies. However, the Ottoman Empire entered the war on the side of Germany, discovering the Caucasian front and having deprived Russia of a convenient message with the Union countries. As a result, at the end of 1914, none of the countries of the conflict participants could have been able to achieve their goals.
The second campaign in the chronologists of the First World War dates back to 1915. In the Western Front, the most severe combat clashes took place. And France and Germany made desperate attempts to turn the situation in their favor. However, huge losses incurred by both parties have not led to serious results. In fact, the front line by the end of 1915 did not change. Neither the spring offensive of the French in the arts, neither the operation, argued in Champagne and Arto, did not change the situation.
The situation in the Russian front changed to the worst. Winter offensive of a poorly prepared Russian army soon turned into the August counteroffensive Germans. And as a result of the Gorlitsky breakthrough of the German troops, Russia lost its Galicia and, later, Poland. Historians note that in many ways the great retreat of the Russian army was provoked by the crisis of supply. The front stabilized only by autumn. The German troops were busy Wying Volyn province and partially repeated pre-war borders with Austria-Hungary. The position of the troops as well as in France contributed to the beginning of the positional war.
1915 was marked by the entry into the war of Italy (May 23). Despite the fact that the country was a member of the Fourth Union, she announced the beginning of the war against Austria-Hungary. But on October 14, the Unitanta Union declared War Bulgaria, which led to the complication of the situation in Serbia and its imminent drop.
During the 1916 military campaign, one of the most famous battles of the First World War occurred - Venden. In an effort to suppress the resistance of France, the German command concentrated in the area of \u200b\u200bthe Venden protrusion huge forces, hoping to overcome the Anglo-French defense. During this operation, from February 21 to December 18, up to 750 thousand soldiers of England and France and up to 450 thousand soldiers of Germany died. The Verdinsky battle is also known to the fact that the new type of weapon was applied for the first time - flamethrower. However, the greatest effect of this weapon was psychological. To assist allies, in the Western Russian front was undertaken offensive, named by Brusilovsky breakthrough. This forced Germany to transfer serious forces into Russian front and slightly facilitated the position of the allies.
It should be noted that military operations developed not only on land. Between the blocs of the strongest world powers came ill confrontation and on the water. It was in the spring of 1916 that one of the main battles of the First World War in the Sea-Yutland occurred. In general, at the end of the year the Antante block was dominant. The proposal of the Four Union about the world was rejected.
During the 1917 military campaign, the transfer of the forces towards the Antanka increased even more and the United States joined the obvious winners. But the weakening of the economies of all countries - participants in the conflict, as well as the growth of revolutionary tension led to a decrease in military activity. The German command decides on strategic defense on the land fronts, at the same time, focusing on attempts to withdraw from the war England using a submarine fleet. In the winter of 1916 - 17, there were no active fighting and in the Caucasus. The situation in Russia aggravated as much as possible. In fact, after the October events, the country came out of the war.
1918 brought Antante the most important victories, which led to the end of World War II.
After the actual exit from the Russian war, Germany managed to eliminate the Eastern Front. She was signed by peace with Romania, Ukraine, Russia. The conditions of the Brest civil contract concluded between Russia and Germany in March 1918 were the hardest for the country, but soon this agreement was canceled.
In the future, Germany occupied the Baltic States, Poland and partially Belarus, after which he threw his strength to the West Front. But, thanks to the technical superiority of the Entente, the German troops were defeated. After Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria concluded the world with the countries of the Entente, Germany was on the verge of disaster. By virtue of revolutionary events, Emperor Wilhelm leaves his country. November 11, 1918, Germany signs an act of surrender.
According to modern data, losses in the First World War made up to 10 million soldiers. Accurate data on loss among civilians does not exist. Presumably, due to severe living conditions, epidemics and hunger, two times more people died.
According to the results of the First World War, Germany was supposed to pay reparations to allies for 30 years. She lost 1/8 of their territory, and the colonies sent the countries to winners. The Bank of the Rhine for 15 years is occupied by the allied troops. Also, Germany was forbidden to have an army of more than 100 thousand people. All types of weapons were superimposed.
But, the consequences of the First World War affected and in the situation in the winning countries. Their economy, with the exception, perhaps, the United States was in a complex state. The standard of living of the population declined sharply, national economy It fell into decay. At the same time, military monopolies have enriched. For Russia, the First World War has become a serious destabilizing factor, in many respects that influenced the development of the revolutionary situation in the country and caused a subsequent civil war.
Air battle
According to general opinion, the First World War is one of the most large-scale armed conflicts in the history of mankind. Its result was the collapse of four empires: Russian, Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman and German.
In 1914, the events occur as follows.
In 1914, two main theater of hostilities were formed: French and Russian, as well as Balkans (Serbia), the Caucasus and from November 1914 Middle East, the colony of European states - Africa, China, Oceania. At the beginning of the war, no one thought she would take a protracted character, her participants were going to finish the war in a few months.
Start
On July 28, 1914, Austria-Hungary declared War of Serbia. On August 1, Germany declared the war of Russia, the Germans without any declaration of war invaded Luxembourg on the same day, and the next day they occupied Luxembourg, they put forward Belgium an ultimatum about the passing of German troops to the border with France. Belgium did not accept ultimatum, and Germany declares the war, on August 4, invading the limits of Belgium.
The King of Belgium Albert turned to the Garabian Neutrality guarantors. In London, they demanded to stop the invasion of Belgium, otherwise England threatened to declare German war. Ultimatum is an expiration - and the United Kingdom declares war in Germany.
Belgian blond brand "SAVA" on the Franco-Belgian border
The warship of the First World War rolled and began to gain momentum.
West Front
Germany at the beginning of the war had ambitious plans: instant defeat of France, passing through the territory of Belgium, the capture of Paris ... Wilhelm II said: "We will have lunch in Paris, and dinner - in St. Petersburg."Russia did not take into account Russia at all, considering it a non-painted power: it is unlikely that it can quickly mobilize and bring their army to the borders . It was the so-called Schliffen plan developed by the head of the German General Staff Alfred von Schliffen (after the resignation of Schlöffene is modified with Helmut background Moltke).
Count von Schlofen.
He was mistaken, this Shliffen: France began an unforeseen counterattack in Paris's outskirts (Battle on Marne), and Russia quickly began an offensive, so the German plan failed and the German army began its positional war.
Nicholas II declares German war from the balcony of the Winter Palace
The French believed that the initial and main blow to Germany would apply according to Alsace. They had their own military doctrine: plan-17. As part of this doctrine, the French command intended to place troops along its eastern border and start an offensive through the territories of Lorraine and Alsace, which were taken by the Germans. The same actions were envisaged by the plan of Schliffene.
Next, there was a surprise on the part of Belgium: its army, 10 times inferior to the number german army, unexpectedly had active resistance. But nevertheless, on August 20, Brussels were taken by the Germans. The Germans behaved confidently and boldly: they did not stop before defending the cities and fortresses, but simply went by them. The Belgian government ran to Havr. King Albert I continued to defend Antwerp. "After a short siege, heroic defense and fierce bombardment on September 26, the last stronghold of the Belgians fell is the fortress of Antwerp. Under the hail of shells from the horsepower of monstrous guns, matened by the Germans and installed on the previously built platforms, silent the fort for the fort. September 23 left Antwerp Belgian government, 24 began the bombing of the city. Whole streets stood in the flame. In the port of the burned grace tanks with oil. "Zepelins" and airplanes threw the unfortunate city bombs from above.
Air battle
The peaceful population in a panic ran from the doomed city, tens of thousands, salting who is where: on ships in England and France, on foot in Holland "(the magazine" Sunday Sparks "of October 19, 1914).
Border Battle
On August 7, the border battle between the Anglo-French and German troops began. The French command after the invasion of the Germans in Belgium urgently revised their plans and began to actively move parts in the direction of the border. But the Anglo-French armies suffered a heavy defeat in the battle of Mons, the battle of Charleroi and in the Ardennes operation, losing about 250 thousand people. The Germans invaded France bypassing Paris, taking the French army to gigantic ticks. September 2, the French government moved to Bordeaux. The city defense was headed by General Galleeni. The French were preparing for the defense of Paris on the Marna River.
Joseph Simon Gallium
Battle on Marne ("Miracle on Marne")
But by this time the German army has already begun to be out of their strength. She had no opportunity to deeply coverage french army Bypassing Paris. The Germans decided to turn to the east of north of Paris and hit the main forces of the French army.
But, turning to the east of north of Paris, they substituted their right flank and rear under the blow of the French group, concentrated for the defense of Paris. Cover the right flank and rear was nothing. But german command I went to this maneuver: Troops turned east, not reaching Paris. The French command took advantage of the opportunity and hit the wrong flank and rear of the German army. Even a taxi was used to translate troops.
"Marne Taxi": such cars were used to transfer troops
First battle on marn I broke the course of hostilities in favor of the French and threw the German troops on the front from Verden to Amiens 50-100 kilometers ago.
The main battle on Marne began on September 5, and already on September 9, the defeat of the German army became apparent. The order of departure was met in the German army with a complete lack of understanding: for the first time during the military action in german army Began the mood of disappointment and depression. And for the French, this battle became the first victory over the Germans, the moral spirit of the French fasteners. The British realized their military failure and took the course to increase armed Forces. The battle on Marne became the turning point of war in the French Theater of Military Action: the front stabilized, and the forces of opponents were approximately equal.
Battle of Flanders
The battle on Marne led to the "run to the sea": both army moved, trying to surround each other from the flank. This led to the fact that the front line closed and rushed to the North Sea. By November 15, the entire space between Paris and the North Sea was filled with the troops of both sides. The front was in a stable condition: the offensive potential of the Germans had exhausted, both sides began their positional struggle. Antante managed to keep ports, comfortable for maritime messages with England - especially port Kale.
Eastern front
On August 17, the Russian army crossed the border and began an offensive on Eastern Prussia. First, the actions of the Russian army were successful, but the command failed to take advantage of the results of the victory. The movement of other Russian armies slowed down and was not agreed, by the Germans who have hit the open flank of the 2nd Army from the west. At the beginning of the First World War, General A.V. commanded this army Samsonov, participant in the Russian-Turkish (1877-1878), Russian-Japanese wars, Naughty Ataman Troops Donskoy, Semirechensky cossack troops, Turkestan Governor General. During the East Prussian operation of 1914, his army suffered a hard defeat in the battle of Tannenberg, part of it was surrounded. When leaving the environment near the city of Villenberg (now Velbark, Poland), Alexander Vasilyevich Samsonov died. On another, more common version, it is believed that he shot himself.
General A.V. Samsonov
In this battle, the Russians broke several German divisions, but in general battle lost. Great Prince Alexander Mikhailovich in his book "My memories" wrote that the 150 thousand Russian army of General Samsonov was a victim, consciously abandoned in Ludendorf trap. "
Galicia Battle (August-September 1914)
This is one of the largest battles of the First World War. As a result of this battle, Russian troops occupied almost all Eastern Galicia, almost all the Bukovina and besieged Menley. The 3rd, 4th, 5th, 8th, 9th Army as part of the Russian southeart participated in the operation Western Front (Commander Front - General Man. I. Ivanov) and four Austro-Hungarian armies (Ertzgertzog Friedrich, Feldmarshal Gotzendorf) and the German group of General R. Warzha. The capture of Galicia was perceived in Russia not as an occupation, but as a return of the rejected part of historical Russia, because It prevailed the Orthodox Slavic population.
N.S. Samokh "in Galicia. Cavalist
Results of 1914 on the Eastern Front
The 1914 campaign has developed in favor of Russia, although Russia has lost part of the territory of the Kingdom of Polish on the German part of the Front. The defeat of Russia in Eastern Prussia was also accompanied by large losses. But Germany could not achieve the planned results, all its successes from a military point of view were very modest.
Advantages of Russia: It was possible to apply a major defeat of Austria-Hungary and capture significant territories. Austria-Hungary has turned to Germany from a full ally in a weak partner requiring continuous support.
Difficulties for Russia: War by 1915 passed into its positional. The Russian army began to feel the first signs of the crisis of ammunition. Advantages of Anntha: Germany was forced to fight in two directions at the same time and make the transformation of troops from the front to the front.
Japan enters war
Anntan (mainly England) convinced Japan to speak against Germany. On August 15, Japan presented Germany to the Ultimatum, demanding to bring troops from China, and on August 23, he declared the war and began the siege of Qingdao - the German naval base in China, which ended with the surrender of the German garrison.
Then, Japan began to seize the island colonies and bases of Germany (Germany Micronesia and German New Guinea, Caroline Islands, Marshall Islands). At the end of August, the troops of New Zealand captured German Samoa.
Japan's participation in the war on the side of the Entente turned out to be profitable for Russia: its Asian part was safe, and Russia did not have the need to spend resources on the maintenance of the army and the fleet in this region.
Asian Military Theater
Turkey initially fluctuated for a long time, whether to enter her in war and on whose side. Finally, she announced "Jihad" (Holy War) to the countries of the Entente. On November 11-12, the Turkish fleet under the command of the German Admiral Sushon fired at Sevastopol, Odessa, Feodosia and Novorossiysk. On November 15, Russia announced Turkey War, England and France followed it.
The Caucasian Front has formed between Russia and Turkey.
Russian airplane in the body of a truck in the Caucasian front
In December 1914 - January 1915 took placeSarykamysh operation: The Russian Caucasian army stopped the offensive of the Turkish troops on Kars, defeated them and moved to counteroffensive.
But Russia, along with this, lost the most convenient way of communication with its allies - through the Black Sea and Straits. Only two ports had Russia to transport a large number of goods: Arkhangelsk and Vladivostok.
Results of the 1914 military campaign
By the end of 1914, Belgium was almost completely conquered by Germany. A small western part of Flanders with the city of IPR remained behind the Entente. Lille was taken by Hermann. The 1914 campaign was distinguished by dynamism. The army of both sides actively and quickly maneuvered, the troops did not build long-term defensive lines. By November 1914, a stable line of the front began to take shape. Both sides have exhausted the offensive potential and started building trenches and wire barriers. The war has moved to the positional.
Russian Expeditionary Corps in France: Chief of 1brigada General Lohwitsky with several Russian and French officers bypass positions (Summer 1916, Champagne)
The length of the Western Front (from the North Sea to Switzerland) was more than 700 km, the density of the arrangement of troops on it was high, significantly higher than on the Eastern Front. Intensive military actions were carried out only on the northern half of the front, the front from Verdine and south was considered as secondary.
"Cannon fodder"
On November 11, a battle occurred under Langememark, which the world community called it senseless and negligible human life: For English machine guns, the Germans threw the units from the non-truthful young people (workers and students). After a while, such a thing happened, and this fact became the entrusted opinion about the soldiers in this war as "cannon meat".
By the beginning of 1915, everyone began to understand that the war took a protracted character. It was not provided by plans by any of the parties. Although the Germans captured almost all of Belgium and most of France, they were completely inaccessible to the main goal - the rapid victory over the French.
The reserves of ammunition by the end of 1914 ended, it was necessary to urgently establish their mass production. It turned out to be undervalued by heavy artillery. The fortresses were practically not prepared for defense. As a result, Italy as a third member of the Trimmed Union did not enter the war on the side of Germany and Austria-Hungary.
Lines of fronts of the First World War by the end of 1914
With such results ended the first military year.
A small lyrical addition to the above-mentioned Artyom Zhdanov. It was also strange War Between relatives - monarchs of Great Britain, Germany and Russia. All three - King Georg V, Kaiser Wilhelm II and Emperor Nicholas II - were grandchildren english Queen Victoria. More precisely, Nikolai was a grandchildren's nephew (his mother, Danish Princess Dagmara, who became Empress Maria Fedorovna, was his native sister of Princess Alexandra - Mother George V), but his wife Alexander Fodorovna is a direct granddaughter of Victoria. It was from Victoria through her a hemophilia Cesarevich Alexey (by the way, another sinister sign for the last Romanovs: with the time of the Umuned by Peter I, Alexey's heir in the dynasty, it was not acceptable to use this name). Although Nikolai was a grandchildren, but strikes his almost complete physiognomic similarity with Cousin Georg V.
Princess Saxen-Coburg Princess As Queen Victoria actively contributed to the unification of Germany in 1871. Its role in the backstage negotiations is difficult to overestimate. Victoria loved Germany, and this love only strengthened Albert's spouse, another saxen-koburg. After his death, Victoria, coming to Germany, stopped in his small family estate, dreaming of a secluded life with him here, in Germany. She spoke out perfectly in German, and sometimes he was talking about their subjects with some alienation: "You, the British ...".
Victoria loved Wilhelm - the first grandson from his first child - daughters, too, Victoria, which she disliked and jealous to Albert. Wilhelm, in turn, had a very hostile relationship with her mother, but he loved his grandmother, often came to her and spent a lot of time with her. Wilhelm liked England and all English. In particular, he admired the British Fotom and took him for the sample when building a fleet for Germany. More than once during their arrings to her grandmother, he met and communicated with cousins \u200b\u200b- Georg and Nikolai. When in January 1901, Wilhelm reported that Victoria at death, he immediately went to the south of England, on about. White, where in the Osboron Palace held Victoria's bed the last days Her life. She died in his hands. Together with cousins \u200b\u200band other relatives, he participated in her funeral and after that he had never returned to England again, now having a habit of both the country and all English. Correspondence of Wilhelm and its contacts through relatives with sister - russian Empress During the war, he gave a reason to many in Russia to blame Alexander Fedorovna in treason and became one of the catalysts of discontent, which took place in February-March 1917 into the revolution. After the defeat in the First World War and the overthrow of the German monarchy in November 1918, Wilhelm held the remainder of his life in exile in Holland, where he died on June 3, 1941. In connection with the war, the British began to silence the names with Wilhelm, and in July 1917 . The English dynasty accepted the name of Windsor to cut the "umbilical" with saxen-coburgs.
Another thread that tied the Romanovs with Victoria was the Great Princess Maria Alexandrovna, the younger sister Alexander III and, accordingly, the native aunt of Nicholas. She married the third child of Victoria - Prince Alfred and after him became the Duchess of Edinburgh. Maria Fodorovna is the only one of the Romanovs, who directly became a member of the British dynasty. She did not love England, and therefore, together with her husband in 1893, she inherited the duke of Saxen-Coburg-Gota, it began to spend most of the time and in general in Germany. Ovdov in 1899, she finally settled in Koburg. In war, she took the side of Germany against Russia. With the destruction of the monarchy in 1918, she became the last in the Saxen Coburg Dynasty.