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Battle of Lemberg (1914)
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Galicia was a major battle between Russia
and Austria-Hungary
during the early stages of World War I
in 1914. In the course of the battle, the Austro-Hungarian armies were severely defeated and forced out of Galicia, while the Russians captured Lemberg
and, for approximately nine months, ruled Eastern Galicia.
decided to launch an offensive into Russian Poland
with his northern armies (the 1st and 4th). As the Russian army would soon be able to mobilize forces greatly superior in numbers to that of the Central Powers in the East (especially the Austro-Hungarian armies, which were Russia's primary target), von Hötzendorf saw his only chance in an early victory. He also hoped that Germany would join his offensive into Poland, but that hope was frustrated by the fact that Germany only deployed few troops in East Prussia ordered entirely on the defence. Thus, the 1st and 4th Austro-Hungarian armies started their advance into Poland without definite German support. Initially they were opposed by the Russian 4th and 5th armies respectively. Meanwhile, Nikolai Ivanov, the Russian commander of the Southwest Front, was expecting an Austro-Hungarian offensive from Lemberg in eastern direction. This was to be met by a Russian offensive into eastern Galicia with the Russian 3rd and 8th armies.
. Dankl struck and drove back Baron Salza's Russian Fourth Army in what would be known as the Battle of Kraśnik
. Dankl's army was able to capture 6,000 prisoners.
To the right of Dankl the Auffenberg's 4th Army, aiming at Cholm, drove back the Russian Fifth Army under Pavel Plehve
in the Battle of Komarów
, capturing 20,000 prisoners and inflicting heavy casualties. However, a planned Austrian enveloping movement around the Russian army failed.
As the Russians were being driven back along the northern front the Austrian Army Group Kovess made a simultaneous advance against Ivanov's left wing. Along the southern front Ivanov had the Russian Third Army
under Nikolai Ruzsky
and the Russian Eighth Army under the capable Aleksei Brusilov
. Brusilov and Ruszky routed the Austro-Hungarians so thoroughly that even though poor roads necessitated that the Russians halt for two days, the Austrians could not regroup to halt the Russian drive. This attack became known as the Battle of Gnila Lipa
.
With the entire Kovess Group in full retreat, Conrad pulled forces away from northern front which he believed had been sufficiently defeated. In fact the Russians north of Lemberg were still a potential threat. Ivanov ordered Plehve's Fifth Army to attack and drove the Austrians back as they began to shift forces to the south in an engagement known as the Battle of Rava Ruska
. The Austrian Second Army was quickly recalled from Serbia
but it was too late and the entire Austrian front collapsed in Galicia and the Russians took control of Lemberg.
simply surrendered and some even offered to fight for the Russians. A total of some 130,000 prisoners were taken by the Russians by the time the battle subsided on September 11, while they inflicted 324,000 casualties. The Russians suffered 225,000 casualties, including 40,000 captured. The Russians had pushed the front 100 miles into the Carpathian Mountains
, completely surrounded the Austrian fortress of Przemyśl and started a Siege of Przemyśl
which lasted for over a hundred days. The battle severely damaged the Austro-Hungarian Army, destroyed a large portion of its trained officers, and crippled Austria. Though the Russians had been utterly crushed at the Battle of Tannenberg
, their victory at Lemberg prevented that defeat from fully taking its toll on Russian public opinion.
Russian Empire
The Russian Empire was a state that existed from 1721 until the Russian Revolution of 1917. It was the successor to the Tsardom of Russia and the predecessor of the Soviet Union...
and Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary , more formally known as the Kingdoms and Lands Represented in the Imperial Council and the Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen, was a constitutional monarchic union between the crowns of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary in...
during the early stages of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
in 1914. In the course of the battle, the Austro-Hungarian armies were severely defeated and forced out of Galicia, while the Russians captured Lemberg
Lviv
Lviv is a city in western Ukraine. The city is regarded as one of the main cultural centres of today's Ukraine and historically has also been a major Polish and Jewish cultural center, as Poles and Jews were the two main ethnicities of the city until the outbreak of World War II and the following...
and, for approximately nine months, ruled Eastern Galicia.
Background
When war with Russia became apparent in the beginning of August, the Austro-Hungarian chief-of-staff Conrad von HötzendorfFranz Graf Conrad von Hötzendorf
Count Franz Conrad von Hötzendorf was an Austrian soldier and Chief of the General Staff of the Austro-Hungarian Army at the outbreak of World War I.-Early life and military career:...
decided to launch an offensive into Russian Poland
Congress Poland
The Kingdom of Poland , informally known as Congress Poland , created in 1815 by the Congress of Vienna, was a personal union of the Russian parcel of Poland with the Russian Empire...
with his northern armies (the 1st and 4th). As the Russian army would soon be able to mobilize forces greatly superior in numbers to that of the Central Powers in the East (especially the Austro-Hungarian armies, which were Russia's primary target), von Hötzendorf saw his only chance in an early victory. He also hoped that Germany would join his offensive into Poland, but that hope was frustrated by the fact that Germany only deployed few troops in East Prussia ordered entirely on the defence. Thus, the 1st and 4th Austro-Hungarian armies started their advance into Poland without definite German support. Initially they were opposed by the Russian 4th and 5th armies respectively. Meanwhile, Nikolai Ivanov, the Russian commander of the Southwest Front, was expecting an Austro-Hungarian offensive from Lemberg in eastern direction. This was to be met by a Russian offensive into eastern Galicia with the Russian 3rd and 8th armies.
Battles
The Austro-Hungarian 1st Army under Viktor Dankl was moving in the north towards LublinLublin
Lublin is the ninth largest city in Poland. It is the capital of Lublin Voivodeship with a population of 350,392 . Lublin is also the largest Polish city east of the Vistula river...
. Dankl struck and drove back Baron Salza's Russian Fourth Army in what would be known as the Battle of Kraśnik
Battle of Krasnik
The Battle of Kraśnik started on August 23, 1914 in the province of Galicia and the adjacent areas across the border in the Russian Empire, in northern Austria , and ended two days later. The Austro-Hungarian First Army defeated the Russian Fourth Army. It was the first victory by Austria-Hungary...
. Dankl's army was able to capture 6,000 prisoners.
To the right of Dankl the Auffenberg's 4th Army, aiming at Cholm, drove back the Russian Fifth Army under Pavel Plehve
Pavel Plehve
Pavel von Plehve , a German officer, served exclusively in the Russian Army during World War I.- Military career :After graduation from officers cavalry school Plehve served in uhlan regiment. In 1877 he graduated from the General Staff Academy...
in the Battle of Komarów
Battle of Komarów (1914)
The Battle of Komarow was a battle on the Eastern Front during World War I. It would prove a victory for the Austro-Hungarian forces, but one they would not be able to reproduce in the coming months of the war.- Background :The prewar planning for a joint Austro-German war with Russia entailed an...
, capturing 20,000 prisoners and inflicting heavy casualties. However, a planned Austrian enveloping movement around the Russian army failed.
As the Russians were being driven back along the northern front the Austrian Army Group Kovess made a simultaneous advance against Ivanov's left wing. Along the southern front Ivanov had the Russian Third Army
3rd Army (Russian Empire)
The Russian Third Army was a World War I Russian field army that fought on the Eastern theatre of war.Field management was established in July 1914 at the headquarters of the Kiev Military District. The unit was disbanded in the beginning of 1918...
under Nikolai Ruzsky
Nikolai Ruzsky
Nikolai Vladimirovich Ruzsky , was a Russian general of World War I.Career=His military career prior to the outbreak of World War I in August 1914 took him to both the Russo-Turkish War and the Russo-Japanese War, where he was Chief of Staff to the Second Manchurian Army. In between he served as...
and the Russian Eighth Army under the capable Aleksei Brusilov
Aleksei Brusilov
Aleksei Alekseevich Brusilov was a Russian general most noted for the development of new offensive tactics used in the 1916 offensive which would come to bear his name. The innovative and relatively successful tactics used were later copied by the Germans...
. Brusilov and Ruszky routed the Austro-Hungarians so thoroughly that even though poor roads necessitated that the Russians halt for two days, the Austrians could not regroup to halt the Russian drive. This attack became known as the Battle of Gnila Lipa
Battle of Gnila Lipa
The Battle of Gnila Lipa took place 26–30 August 1914 when the Imperial Russian Army invaded Galicia and confronted the Austro-Hungarian Army. It was part of a larger series of battles known collectively as the Battle of Galicia. The battle ended in a defeat of the Austro-Hungarian troops....
.
With the entire Kovess Group in full retreat, Conrad pulled forces away from northern front which he believed had been sufficiently defeated. In fact the Russians north of Lemberg were still a potential threat. Ivanov ordered Plehve's Fifth Army to attack and drove the Austrians back as they began to shift forces to the south in an engagement known as the Battle of Rava Ruska
Battle of Rawa
Battle of Rawa was an early stage World War I battle between Austria-Hungary and Russia, between September 3-11, 1914. The Russian armies had defeated their opponents and threw them back to the Carpathian mountains...
. The Austrian Second Army was quickly recalled from Serbia
Kingdom of Serbia
The Kingdom of Serbia was created when Prince Milan Obrenović, ruler of the Principality of Serbia, was crowned King in 1882. The Principality of Serbia was ruled by the Karađorđevic dynasty from 1817 onwards . The Principality, suzerain to the Porte, had expelled all Ottoman troops by 1867, de...
but it was too late and the entire Austrian front collapsed in Galicia and the Russians took control of Lemberg.
Results
As the Austrians retreated many Slavic soldiers in the Austro-Hungarian ArmyAustro-Hungarian Army
The Austro-Hungarian Army was the ground force of the Austro-Hungarian Dual Monarchy from 1867 to 1918. It was composed of three parts: the joint army , the Austrian Landwehr , and the Hungarian Honvédség .In the wake of fighting between the...
simply surrendered and some even offered to fight for the Russians. A total of some 130,000 prisoners were taken by the Russians by the time the battle subsided on September 11, while they inflicted 324,000 casualties. The Russians suffered 225,000 casualties, including 40,000 captured. The Russians had pushed the front 100 miles into the Carpathian Mountains
Carpathian Mountains
The Carpathian Mountains or Carpathians are a range of mountains forming an arc roughly long across Central and Eastern Europe, making them the second-longest mountain range in Europe...
, completely surrounded the Austrian fortress of Przemyśl and started a Siege of Przemyśl
Siege of Przemysl
The Siege of Przemyśl was one of the greatest sieges of the First World War, and a crushing defeat for Austria-Hungary. The investment of Przemyśl began on September 24, 1914 and was briefly suspended on October 11 due to an Austro-Hungarian offensive...
which lasted for over a hundred days. The battle severely damaged the Austro-Hungarian Army, destroyed a large portion of its trained officers, and crippled Austria. Though the Russians had been utterly crushed at the Battle of Tannenberg
Battle of Tannenberg (1914)
The Battle of Tannenberg was an engagement between the Russian Empire and the German Empire in the first days of World War I. It was fought by the Russian First and Second Armies against the German Eighth Army between 23 August and 30 August 1914. The battle resulted in the almost complete...
, their victory at Lemberg prevented that defeat from fully taking its toll on Russian public opinion.
Russian forces
Russian South-Western front. Commander-in-chief – Nikolai Ivanov, Chief of Staff – Mikhail Alekseyev- 4th Army4th Army (Russian Empire)The Russian Fourth Army was a World War I Russian field army that fought on the Eastern Front.-Composition:At the beginning of the war, the army consisted of:...
Commander — Anton von SaltzaAnton von SaltzaAnton Jegorowitsch Saltza was a Russian Imperial General in World War I. He participated in the Battle of Galicia where he commanded the Russian 4th Army. He was replaced by Alexei Evert during the battle as the commander of the 4th Army....
(replaced by Alexei EvertAlexei EvertAlexei Evert was a Russian Imperial General in World War I, notable for his role as commander of the Russian Western Army Group in the Brusilov Offensive....
after the battle of Krasnik).- Grenadiers Corps
- XIV. Corps
- XVI. Corps
- 5th Army5th Army (Russian Empire)The Russian Fifth Army was a World War I Russian field army that fought on the Eastern theatre of war.-Action:The 5th Army saw action at the Battle of Rawa, . Under the command of General Pavel Plehve they advanced into a forty mile gap in the Austrian line between the Austrian First and Fourth...
, Commander — Pavel PlehvePavel PlehvePavel von Plehve , a German officer, served exclusively in the Russian Army during World War I.- Military career :After graduation from officers cavalry school Plehve served in uhlan regiment. In 1877 he graduated from the General Staff Academy...
- V. Corps
- XVII. Corps
- XIX. Corps
- XXV. Corps
- 3rd Army3rd Army (Russian Empire)The Russian Third Army was a World War I Russian field army that fought on the Eastern theatre of war.Field management was established in July 1914 at the headquarters of the Kiev Military District. The unit was disbanded in the beginning of 1918...
, Commander — Nikolai RuzskyNikolai RuzskyNikolai Vladimirovich Ruzsky , was a Russian general of World War I.Career=His military career prior to the outbreak of World War I in August 1914 took him to both the Russo-Turkish War and the Russo-Japanese War, where he was Chief of Staff to the Second Manchurian Army. In between he served as...
– Staff officers: Vladimir Mikhailovich Dragomirov, Nikolay DukhoninNikolay DukhoninNikolay Nikolayevich Dukhonin was a Russian general, the last commander-in-chief of the Russian Imperial Army.-Biography:...
, Mikhail Bonch-BruevichMikhail Bonch-BruevichMikhail Dmitriyevich Bonch-Bruyevich was an Imperial Russian and Soviet military commander, Lieutenant General .From 1892-1895, Bonch-Bruyevich served as an officer with the Lithuanian Guards Regiment, posted at Warsaw.-First World War:...
- IX. Corps
- X. Corps
- XI. Corps
- XXI. Corps
- 8th Army, Commander — Aleksei BrusilovAleksei BrusilovAleksei Alekseevich Brusilov was a Russian general most noted for the development of new offensive tactics used in the 1916 offensive which would come to bear his name. The innovative and relatively successful tactics used were later copied by the Germans...
– Staff officers Anton Ivanovich DenikinAnton Ivanovich DenikinAnton Ivanovich Denikin was Lieutenant General of the Imperial Russian Army and one of the foremost generals of the White movement in the Russian Civil War.- Childhood :...
(Quartermaster)- VII. Corps
- VIII. Corps
- XII. Corps
- XXIV. Corps
Austro-Hungarian forces
- Army group Kummer
- 7. Cavalry Division
- Landsturm forces
- 1st ArmyAustro-Hungarian First ArmyThe Austro-Hungarian First Army was an Austro-Hungarian field army that fought during World War I.The First Army was formed in 1914 as part of Austro-Hungarian mobilization following its declaration of war on Serbia and Russia. The First Army was put under the command of Gen. Viktor Dankl von...
. Commander — Viktor Dankl- I. Corps (Cracow) – 5 and 46 Infantry Divisions
- V. Corps (Bratislava) – 14., 33. and 37 Infantry Divisions
- X. Corps (Przemysl) – 2., 24. and 45. Infantry Divisions
- 12. Infantry Division
- 3. Cavalry Division
- 9. Cavalry Division
- 4th Army. Commander — Moritz von AuffenbergMoritz von AuffenbergMoritz Freiherr von Auffenberg, Graf von Komarów , born Moritz Ritter von Auffenberg was a general of Austro-Hungarian Army.-Biography:...
- II. Corps (Wien) – 4., 13. and 25. Infantry Divisions
- VI. Corps (Kaschau) – 15., 27. and 39. Infantry Divisions
- IX. Corps (Leitmeritz) – 10. and 26. Infantry Divisions
- XVII. Corps (formed on outbreak of war) – 19. Infantry Division
- 6. Cavalry Division
- 10. Cavalry Division
- 3rd Army. Commander — Rudolf BrudermannRudolf BrudermannRudolph Ritter von Brudermann was an general of Austria-Hungary during the First World War. He led the Austria-Hungarian 3rd army during the Battle of Galicia.-External links:*...
- XI. Corps (Lemberg) – 30. Infantry Division
- XIV. Corps (Innsbruck) – 3., 8. and 44. Infantry Division
- 23. Infantry Division
- 41. Infantry Division
- 2. Cavalry Division
- 4. Cavalry Division
- Army group KövessHermann Kövess von KövessházaHermann Kövess von Kövessháza was the final, and completely ceremonial, Commander-in-Chief of Austria-Hungary...
(part of the 2nd Army))- III. Corps (Graz) – 6., 28. and 22. Infantry Divisions
- XII. Corps (Hermannstadt) – 16., 35. and 38. Infantry Divisions
- 11. Infantry Division
- 43. Infantry Division
- 20. Infantry Division
- 1. Cavalry Division
- 5. Cavalry Division
- 8. Cavalry Division
Sources
- Tuchman, BarbaraBarbara TuchmanBarbara Wertheim Tuchman was an American historian and author. She became known for her best-selling book The Guns of August, a history of the prelude to and first month of World War I, which won the Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction in 1963....
, The Guns of August (1962) - Tucker, Spencer, The Great War: 1914–18 (1998)
- Nikolai GolovinNikolai GolovinNikolai Golovin was a Russian general and military historian.-Biography:Since 1908 Golovin was professor of tactics at General Staff Academy.At the beginning of the First World War Golovin commanded Grodno Hussar regiment...
. Great battle for Galicia