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WarChron - September 1914 - Hindenburg - Ludendorff |
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The Year 1914
On 14 September, French Ambassador Paleologue received a telegram from French War Minister Declasse, urging him to inform Sukhomlinov of the need for more strenuous efforts by the Russians against the Germans. Kaiser Wilhelm sent direct orders to German Admiral Souchon in Turkey to take energetic action against the Russian Black Sea Fleet.
Austro-Hungarian Archduke Ferdinand contacted Kaiser Wilhelm, suggesting that von Hindenburg be placed under Austrian control. The Kaiser was outraged and absolutely refused. Strains were developing between Falkenhayn at German GHQ and Austrian military leaders. In the meantime, Hindenburg was rushing strong German reinforcements to Krakau, with their independence to be retained even in case of joint operations with the Austro-Hungarians.
On 15 September, Hindenburg announced from Insterburg that East Prussia had been cleared of all Russian forces. The German defensive line ran northwest of Allenstein, astride the Osterode-Insterburg railroad. Their center was at Gilgenburg, and their right ran from Usdau to Soldau, resting on the railroad from Deutsche Eylau to Mlava. The Russians were preparing to resist a German advance on Augustovo.
America dispatched notes to Russia, Belgium, Germany and Austria-Hungary, similar to those already sent to France and Great Britain, asking them to conclude treaties with the U.S. which would attempt to peacefully resolve any dispute arising between the U.S. and signatory powers. To improve relations with the U.S., the Russians signified their acceptance of the proposals on 1 October in Washington.
On 16 September, on the Southwest Front, the Russian 3rd Army reached Moseiska, moving towards the Austro-Hungarian fortress at Przemysl.
Tsar Nicholas II approved the creation of a Supreme Chief of Sanitary (Hospital) and Evacuation Units to deal with the growing need for hospital and evacuation facilities.
On 17 September, General Zhilinskiy, commander of the Russian Northwest Front, was replaced by General N.A. Ruzskiy from the 3rd Army. Zhilinskiy was appointed Governor General of Warsaw and put in charge of the Warsaw Military District. General Radko-Dmitriev was appointed to replace Ruzskiy as commander of the 3 rd Army.
The Russian government created the Advisory Committee for the wartime Stockpiling of Material Needed by the Army and Fleet. Unfortunately it was to remain a paper organization.
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The Year 1914
On 17 September, General von Hindenburg received the Kaiser's order to take over command of the newly forming 9th Army, while still retaining control of the 8th Army. Hindenburg took General von Ludendorff with him as his Chief of Staff. General Max von Hoffman was left as the Chief of Staff of the 8th Army, with Crown Prince Leopold von Bayern as the nominal commander. The 9th Army was fully concentrated at Beuthen by the 28th.
The Germans were already rushing four army corps and two divisions on 750 trains to reinforce the weak Austro-Hungarian northern flank near Krakau in Upper Silesia. The Germans intended to advance, along with the Austro-Hungarian 1st Army, from Krakau and Piotrkow, hoping to outflank the northern sector of the Russian Southwest Front.
On the Northern Front, the Russian 10th Army, led by General V.E. Flug, with their HQ at Augustovo, was concentrating in the Bialystok-Grodno area.
France, Russia, and Great Britain solemnly ratified the Pact of London, banning any separate peace negotiations by the Allies. Also adhering to the Pact were Serbia, Japan and Belgium. Italy would join on 30 November 1915, and in October 1916 the Romanians would sign the pact.
Tsar Nicholas II issued an Imperial Decree approving the Council of Ministers' resolution on the manufacture in wartime of the objects and materials needed by the army and navy, requiring that manufacturers satisfy all military demands.
Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich issued a proclamation to the peoples of Austria-Hungary, inviting them to throw off the Habsburg yoke and realize their national aspirations. Russian Foreign Minister Sazonov pressed the Romanian Government to occupy Transylvania and join in the occupation of Bukowina along with Russian troops.
The German High Command (OHL) asserted that it must have Turkish military action against Russia. Turkey responded by stating that mobilization was incomplete and they did not have sufficient war supplies.
On 18 September, on the Northwest Front, the German 3rd Reserve Division advanced to the outskirts of Suvalki. The Russians abandoned Suvalki and Augustovo on the 20th.
On the Southwest Front, the Russian 9th Army, led by General P.A. Lechitskiy, with HQ at Zolbnev, captured Sandomir, then moved north on Annapol and Zavichost.
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The Year 1914
On 18 September, German General Ludendorff visited Austro-Hungarian headquarters at Neu Sandec to attend a conference with Archduke Frederick and Chief of Staff General Conrad von Hoetzendorff. General von Hindenburg was appointed as Commander-in-Chief of the German Armies in the East. On 19 September 1914, there was a crisis in the Turkish Cabinet when they learned of the intended German naval action in the Black Sea. The Grand Vizier threatened to hand in his resignation. Two days later they agreed not to hinder any attack by the Goeben and Breslau on the Russian Black Sea Fleet, but they would not allow the Turkish fleet itself to participate.
On 20 September, on the Northwest Front, the Russians were forced to withdraw from Augustovo and Suvalki on the East Prussian frontier. The Tsar left Petrograd on an inspection tour of army fronts. He passed out medals, but had no understanding of the military events taking place. He appointed seventy year old Prince A.P. Oldenberg, who was totally unfit for the position, as the chief of the Army Medical Service.
The Russian medical service in the field was already overwhelmed with the numbers of casualties, having too few trained medical staff, and lack of sanitary facilities and medical supplies.
The Russian government reorganized the Main Artillery Administration, which, under a “special chief,” was to assume responsibility for “completely guaranteeing” Russia's needs for arms and munitions by means of production from both state and private industry.
On 21 September, on the Northwest Front, German forces reached the Niemen River on the East Prussian frontier.
On the Southwest Front, General P.A. Pleve's Russian 5th Army forces seized Jaroslau in Galicia.
On 22 September, on the Southwest Front, Russian 3rd Army invested the Austro-Hungarian fortress of Przemysl in Galicia. Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich held a conference of army commanders at Cholm (Kholm), giving orders for an offensive in three weeks. He complained of an acute shortage of shells.
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© WARCHRON 2007
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