Battles of World War I rarely wore offensive.The war took place sluggishly position, but it was extremely bloody.The exception was, perhaps, only in 1916, when the Russian command has organized a large-scale offensive in the South-Western Front.This event is well known in military history as Brusilovsky breakthrough.
General Brusilov, in whose honor was named the military operation, applied an unusual and completely new at the time tactics breakthrough.Its essence was to undermine the defense of the enemy with a powerful strike in the main direction and support simultaneous strikes in other directions.Thus, reserves and scattered forces, and the enemy could not reflect the brunt, losing their positions.
fact Brusilovsky breakthrough became a new stage in the history of martial arts.
Supreme rate in 1916 adopted a decision based on the overall picture of the hostilities, the main role of the offensive take the Western Front, with the support of the North.A South-Western Front, which is led by General Brusilov, was only defensive and distract the enemy forces.However Brussilov personally insisted on carrying out a full-scale offensive of the Russian troops from the south-west.
Preparations for the offensive Brusilov was conducted very carefully and in complete secrecy.Austro-Hungarian command in general aware of the plans of the Entente, but are full of confidence that after the failed operation in 1915 Russian troops did not dare again to conduct offensive operations.
Meanwhile, the Russian army massed to places breakthrough, soldiers learned to overcome obstacles, artillery - to break the defenses and barriers.For several months, the troops on the south-western front were elaborately grouped unnoticed by the enemy.
The morning of June 4, 1916, tragic for the Austro-Hungarian troops.They waited blinding death: thousands of volleys of guns turned inhabited fortified positions in dust and ashes.The attack of the Russian troops failed at all points of the breakout.
Russian artillery and infantry acted surprisingly harmoniously.Securely covered with fire of their artillery, infantry moved to the attack.They were waves of three or four in each chain, at steps 170-200 distance from each other.The attack was "rifts".
most successfully acted Army General Kaledin on the right side, in the direction of Lutsk.The city itself Lutsk was taken just a few days after the offensive began, and the enemy pushed 60 kilometers inland to the river Stokhid.
On the left flank army general Lechitskogo able to move up to 120 kilometers, crossed the Prut and captured Chernovtsy on 18 June.
less successfully acted Army General Sakharov, faced with stiff resistance from the Austro-Hungarians.
Brusilovsky breakthrough meant a disaster for the forces of the Triple Alliance.
To build on the success, it was decided to transfer the main blow to the Western Front in the South-West.The rate for some time hesitated, waiting for the commander of the Western Group of Forces, General Evert still go to active attack.However, he did not dare, and in the second half of June in order Brussiloff reserve troops began to arrive.Under pressure from the Supreme Command, Evert joined the unsuccessful offensive in the direction of Baranovichi.
Germany, Austria and Italy began to hastily pull their troops to the south-western front to protect the strategically important Kovel.Brusilov launched a new offensive on Brody and Kovel, but the enemy fierce resistance was able to stabilize the situation on the fronts.At the end of June in hostilities again lull.
Largely because of indecision and inaction Bids, Brusilovsky breakthrough has not received proper development and success.Nevertheless, the event played an important role in the campaign of 1916.
losses Austro-Hungarian troops were about one and a half million people against 500 thousand from the Russian side.The prisoner was taken 450 thousand Austrian soldiers almost 10 thousand officers.
Battles of World War I rarely bring such luck Entente troops: all was conquered Bukovina and part of Galicia.Germany was forced to transfer 16 divisions from the Western Front, and Austria all turned their offensive in the direction of Italy to put in Galicia 7 divisions.Turkey also introduced to his two divisions.
Brusilovsky breakthrough has also led to the fact that Romania in August 1916 decided to take the side of the Entente.
Thus, despite its general incomplete, this brilliant military operation rightfully entered the hundred greatest battles in the history of mankind.
