Status Updates From Russia's Last Gasp: The Eas...

It’s a shame that because of Kuropatkin and Evert insecurities the Russian offensive planned by Brusilov brought a fraction of the results it could have brought. A famous statement from Steve Jobs flicks in my mind now: A player should play with A players and not with B players. He was so right.

Part of Brusilov’s stunning success in the first phase of his offensive is due to the careful study of the dynamics of trench warfare engagements, in addition to the great improvements in shelling tactics and infantry coordination. I’m honestly surprised. Germans too, albeit they never acknowledged Brusilov’s merit in all this story.

Finally my man Brusilov comes to the rescue of the Russian Army. After a period of forced rest in the East Front - a rest due to the total disaster of the previous campaigns from the Russian Army and by the need of Germany to amass troops on the Western Front for the attack on Verdun - Brusilov is promoted Commander of Southwest Front and revolutionize Russian tactics. One capable man among many inept commanders.

The battle at lake Naroch showed again that Russian commanders were uncapable of seeing beyond their own nose. Even being capable of battering in a serious way the German positions, Russians troops died by the (tens of) thousand without any significant advance. And again personal rivalries seems to be a deciding factor here, along with the ever present nepotism and corruption.

Surprisingly, Austrian being capable of keeping the front line in spite of repetitive and heavy Russian attacks. Here, it all starts to take shape:
Russians leaders complained about shell shortages in the previous months, but the failures of the winter offensive in Galicia could not due to any shortage, at all. Rather, it was lack of expertise and experienced wartime commanders.

The first chapters continues the description of the state of the three major armies on the East Front, and adds elements concerning the deteriorating situation at home for each one.
I believe this third volume will tell the story more from the point of view of the Russians, since for them it’s a “now or never” situation.

Ready for round #3.
Extensive and detailed account about Germany and Austria administration of newly-gained territory in the east with some ominous testimonies of the horror against civilians and Slavs in general.
Germany and Austria more divided than ever about the course of action to take, while Entente Powers and Allies agreeing new, synchronized military actions to grind down the opposing armies.