GWS, 11/01
Immediately preceding the battles for the Carpathians
Deutsch SŸdost-armee, General der Infanterie von Linsingen
Hofmann K.u.K. Korps, Feldmlt. Hofmann
LV. inf. div., Genmj. Drda
Deutsch I. inf. div., Genlt. von Conta
K.u.K. CXXXI. brigade, Oberst Berger
XXIV Deutsch res. Korps, Genlt. von Gerok
XIX. inf. div., Genmj. von Richard
XLVIII. res. div., Genlt. von Hahn
Support: Preu§isch III. Guards, Gen. d. Kav. Marschall
V. kav. div., Feldmlt. Herberstein
Pflanzer-Baltin Army Group, Gen. d. Kav. Karl von Pflanzer-Baltin
VI. inf. div., Feldmlt. FŸrst Schšnberg-Hartenstein
LIV. inf. div., Feldmlt. von Schultheisz
Polnisch legion, Oberst von Haller
CXXIII. k. Ung. Landsturm brigade, Oberst Latzin
XIII. Korps, Gen. d. Inf. von Rhemen
XXXVI. inf. div., Feldmlt. Czibulka
XLII. Honved inf. div., Genmj. Salis-Seewis
V. Honved kav. div., Genmj. von Apor
In February 1915, a theatre-wide offensive was launched by three Army groups to catapult the Russians from the Carpathian passes and ultimately free Przemysl from its siege. The II. Army under GdK Eduard von Bšhm-Ermolli, part of Linsingen's Group, attempted in fact to reach the key fortress but failed. The SŸdarmee on its right flank, however, was to provide a diversion and expel any Russians who had occupied portions of Hungary. Linsingen managed a front between the ridge to the right of the Uzsok Pass (which led from Munkacz to Stryj) to the left ridge of the Delatyn Pass.
In between these majour thorofares were the Tucholka, Beskid, and Wyszkow passes, the first two of which were lesser in importance yet still threatened Hungary with is malignant discharges of Russian soldiers. The Wyszkow pass in particular was important for its connection to Nadworna and Stanislau; Nadworna and Stryj to the west was the objective of Linsingen, while Stanislau was the objective of Army Group Pflanzer-Baltin, on Linsingen's right.
Now, although the central and eastern Carpathians were not known for their heights or treachery, the terrain was in fact sparse and wild, devoid of roads or any supportive civilisation. The "Siberia" of Hungary was doubly apt, since the offensive was launched in mid-winter and under the worst conditions. Into this barren land better known and suited for wolves and bears were thrown the armies of several million men apiece.
To add to the difficulty, the problem of supply was never remedied, and Linsingen was surely aware that his troops were more often than not using captured Russian weapons and food to continue their fight. Even worse was the medical care, which competed with the winter cold for the lives of the wounded. Soldiers who were "standing wounded" or able to hobble to aid stations on their own accord were falling victim to the horrible conditions, spending many more hours than usual to navigate frozen, icy paths and switchbacks packed with moving soldiers and porters, always threatened with the danger of slipping and tumbling down the slopes, taking other travelers with them. Or, in the worst case, having frostbite render them unable to walk any further, trapped without help between an angry war front and the distant aid station.
On 23 January 1915, GdK Svetozar Boroevic von Bojna opened the offensive by attempting to push the Russians from Mezš Laborcz on the western end of the Carpathians. Linsingen did not thrust his forces forward until three days later, after the II. Army had broken into the Uzsok Pass. The SŸdarmee succeeded in taking every pass assigned to it within the first week, thus clearly northeastern Hungary.
However, the roads to Stryj and Nadworna were blocked by a stiffening Russian contingent, led in the main by General Brussilow and his VIII. Army. On either side of the narrow passes into Galicia lay the Lysa Gora, an undulating range not exceeding 3,300 feet high. On these heights the Russians under General Ivanov had placed their guns, and their trenches skirted the slopes in half a dozen rows. Passage to Stryj depended on the capture of the Lysa Gora, whose most formidable block to Linsingen's SŸdarmee was the Koziowa ridge.
Beginning on the night of 6 February, Linsingen ordered the ridge shelled and then cleared of the Russians. After the trenches were pounded, the soldiers were ordered to storm the lines, bayonets in front. During that day, some 22 separate bayonet charges were ordered by the commanders in the SŸdarmee, but it was all for nought. The dead filled the forward trenches so they could be walked over, and still the Russians did not surrender. Casualties in the SŸdarmee were outrageous, but Linsingen forbade any change in orders: Koziowa ridge or nothing!
As long as the Russian guns atop the ridge could fill the gorges below the Wyszkow pass with a hail of shells, there was no means of moving into Galicia. Linsingen was compelled to make ever greater pushes against Koziowa, for the battles for Turka and especially Mezš Laborcz in the west were becoming so fierce and bloody, that reserves were being drawn from all the armies on both sides.
Linsingen thought a show of force below the Wyszkow would tie up enough Russians to break their will and cause the III. and II. Armies to reach into Galicia. In fact, though initial objectives were reached before the first week was out, Linsingen kept up the offensive for a full eight weeks, even as Przemysl was surrendering. His efforts rather backfired, for in mid-March the Russians seized a mountain due west of Koziowa called Orawczyk, and from this place threatened the left flank of Linsingen's forces assaulting Koziowa itself. A few days later, the place was augemented with elements of the Russian XI. Army, which had successfully broken Przemysl. As the proud XI. Army took its place opposite Linsingen's sectors, the SŸdarmee was compelled to fall back toward the mouths of the passes, in hopes of stemming a Russian counter-offensive.
By the last week in March 1915, the whole front occupied by the SŸdarmee was static but nervous, and not without reason. The Russians opened with a full offensive along the Carpathian front, with the main blow directed against Boroevic and Bšhm-Ermolli. These lost whatever advantages they had gained the two months before, but Linsingen maintained his position in spite of being delivered two weeks of murderous charges by the resolute XI. Army. In fact, a small countermeasure in early April succeeded in grabbing the northern mouth of the Uzsok Pass, which had to be temporarily ceded to the Russians in the last week of March.
When the Russians called off all offensives on 20 April 1915, very little had been gained or lost on both sides, but the casualties were blood-curdling. At least a million men had died, and many more wounded or taken prisoner. The entire corps of Austria's pre-war NCOs may have been slain during the Carpathians Battles, to the permanent detriment of Austria's war effort. For his part, Linsingen had failed in his mission, and the SŸdarmee had sustained a terrible toll in man-power. It would not play a vital role in the coming summer offensive. But Linsingen's prowess and unyielding determination, even in the face of unbearable slaughter, would ensure him an important role in the coming summer offensive.
GWS, 3/02
Immediately preceding the Dunajec offensive
Deutsche SŸdarmee, Kmdt. preu§. Gen. d. Inf. v. Linsingen
Chief of Staff, preu§. Genmj. v. Stolzmann
Gruppe Szurmay, Feldmlt. Szurmay
Chief of Staff, Mjr. Ršder
7. inf. div., Genmj. Blasius v. Dani
128. HonvŽd inf. brig., Oberst v. Sarkany
14. inf. brig., Genmj. Baumgartner
71. inf. brig., Oberst Plivelic
field art. brig., Oberst Scheucher
40. HonvŽd inf. div., Feldmlt. Plank
76. HonvŽd inf. brig., Oberst Josef Huber
79. HonvŽd inf. brig., Oberst Lengerer
80. HonvŽd inf. brig., Genmj. Haber
40. field art. brig., Genmj. v. Hellebronth
Deutsche Bothmer Korps, Gen. d. Kav. Gf. v. Bothmer
Chief of Staff, bayr. Obstlt. Hemmer
38. HonvŽd inf. div., Feldmlt. Bartheldy
75. HonvŽd inf. brig., Oberst Gombos
38. field art. brig., Oberst Werz
Hofmann Korps, Feldmlt. Hofmann
Chief of Staff, Oberst Gf. Lamezan
55. inf. div., Genmj. Fleischmann
129. inf. brig., Oberst Matasic
130. inf. brig., Oberst Witoszynski
12. Landsturm terr. brig.,Oberst Burggasser
131. inf. brig., Genmj. Blum
Deutsches XXIV. Res. Korps, Kmdt.. Gen. d. Inf. v. Gerok
Chief of Staff, preu§. Genmj. v. Mutius
19. inf. div., Feldmlt. Richard Mayer
37. inf. brig., Genmj. v. Richard
38. inf. brig., Genmj. v. Steiger
19. field art. brig., Oberst Regnier
Immediately preceding the Brussilov Offensive
Linsingen Group, GdI von Linsingen
Army of the Bug, GdI von Linsingen
IV. Armee, Generaloberst Erzherzog Josef Ferdinand
VII. inf. div., Genmj. von Felix
LXX. Honved inf. div., Genmj. Goldbach
X. Korps, Gen. d. Inf. Martiny
II. inf. div., Feldmlt. von Sellner
XXXVII. Honved inf. div., Genmj. Tabadji
II. Korps, Feldmlt. Kaiser
XLI. Honved inf. div., Genmj. Schamschula
IV. inf. div., Genmj. Reymann
Reserve: XI. inf. div., Genmj. Grubic
XIII. SchŸtzen div., Feldmlt. von Szekely
X. kav. div., Genmj. von Bauer
Fath Korps, Gen. d. Inf. Fath
XXVI. SchŸtzen div., Feldmlt. Lischka
LIII. inf. div., Genmj. Pongracz
Hauer kav. Korps, Gen. d. Kav. von Hauer
Polish Legion, Genmj. von Puchalski
XI. Honved kav. div., Genmj. Czito
X. kav. div., Feldmlt. von Leonhardi
Gronau Group (Deutsch XLI. res. Korps), Gen. d. Kav. von Gronau
LXXXII. res. div., Genmj. von Spe§hardt
V. kav. div., Genmj. von Hofacker
Guards kav. div., Genlt. von Storch
LXXXI. res. div., Genlt. von Larisch
XLV. SchŸtzen div., Feldmlt. Smekal
Immediately following the Brussilov Offensive
Army Group Linsingen, GdI von Linsingen
Army of the Bug, GdI von Linsingen
I. Armee, Generaloberst Paul von Puhallo
XVIII. Korps, Feldmlt. Czibulka
VII. kav. div., Feldmlt. von Micewski
XLVI. SchŸtzen div., Genmj. von Urbanski
XXV. res. inf. div., Genmj. von Boog
Marwitz Army Group, Gen. d. Kav. von der Marwitz
VII. K.u.K. inf. div., Genmj. Baumgartner
XXII. Deutsch inf. div., Genlt. Dieffenbach
CVIII. Deutsch inf. div., Genlt. Beckman
XLVIII. K.u.K. inf. div., Feldmlt. Gabriel
Falkenhayn Army Group, Gen. d. Kav. Erich von Falkenhayn
LXI. K.u.K. inf. div., Feldmlt. Winckler
VII. K.u.K. kav. div., Feldmlt. Miczewski
IV. K.u.K. kav. div., Feldmlt. von Leonhardi
XLIII. Deutsch res. inf. div., Genmj. von Runckel
IX. Deutsch kav. div., Genmj. von Heuduck
IV. Armee, Generaloberst Karl von Tersztyanszky
X. kav. div., Genmj. von Bauer
Szurmay Korps, Genmj. von Szurmay
LXX. Honved inf. div., Genmj. Goldbach
XI. inf. div., Genmj. von Bauer
X. Korps, Gen. d. Inf. von Csanady
XIII. SchŸtzen div., Genmj. Kalser von Maasfeld
II. inf. div., Genmj. von Jemrich
XXXVII. Honved inf. div., Genmj. Haber
Deutsch X. Korps, Genlt. von LŸttwitz
XIX. inf. div., Genlt. von Schmettau
XX. inf. div., Genlt. ?
XXIX. K.u.K. inf. div., Feldmlt. Schšn
Bernhardi Group, Gen. d. Kav. von Bernhardi
Deutsch comb. inf. div., Genmj. Rusche
XI. Bay. inf. div., Genlt. von Kneu§l
II. K.u.K. Korps, Feldmlt. Kaiser
XLI. Honved inf. div., Genmj. Schamschula
IV. inf. div., Genmj. Pfeffer
Fath Korps, Gen. d. Inf. Fath
XXVI. SchŸtzen div., Feldmarschal Lischka
XLV. SchŸtzen div., Feldmlt. Smekal
LIII. inf. div., Genmj. von Pongracz
Hauer kav. Korps, Gen. d. Kav. von Hauer
Polish Legion, Genmj. von Puchalski
XI. Honved kav. div., Genmj. Czito
I. kav. div., Genmj. de Ruiz
IX. kav. div., Feldmlt. von le Gay
Reserve: II. Polish Legion Brigade, Oberst Kšttner
To Woyrsch's Army: XII. Korps, Gen. d. Inf. von Henriquez
XVI. inf. div., Feldmlt. von Schariczer
XXXV. inf. div., Feldmlt. Podhoranszky
Immediately following Roumania's declaration of war on Austria-Hungary
Army Group Linsingen, GdI von Linsingen
Army of the Bug, GdI von Linsingen
Army Group Marwitz, Gen. d. Kav. von der Marwitz
Dieffenbach Korps, Genlt. Dieffenbach
Hordt Group, Feldmarschal von Hordt
XLVI. SchŸtzen div., Genmj. von Urbanski
HŸlsen Group, Genmj. von HŸlsen
XLVIII. K.u.K. inf. div., Feldmlt. Gabriel
XXII. Deutsch inf. div., Genlt. Dieffenbach
Falkenhayn Korps, Gen. von Falkenhayn
VII. K.u.K. inf. div., Genmj. Baumgartner
XLIII. Deutsch inf. div., Genmj. von Runckel
Beckmann Group, Genlt. Beckmann
CVIII. Deutsch inf. div., Genlt. Beckmann
Kavallerie Group Leonhardi, Feldmlt. von Leonhardi
VII. K.K. kav. div., Genmj. Marenzi
IV. Armee, Generaloberst von Tersztyanszky
Szurmay Korps, Feldmlt. Szurmay
X. kav. div., Genmj. von Bauer
XI. inf. div., Genmj. von Obauer
LXX. Honved inf. div., Genmj. Goldbach
X. Korps, Feldmlt. von Csanady
II. inf. div., Genmj. von Jemrich
XIII. SchŸtzen div., Feldmlt. von Kaiser
XXXVII. Honved inf. div., Genmj. Haber
LŸttwitz Group, Genlt. von LŸttwitz
XX. kav. div., Genlt. von Schšler
XIX. inf. div., Genlt. von Schmettau
CXXI. inf. div., Genmj. von Ditfurth
XXIX. inf. div., Feldmlt. Schšn
Bernhardi Army Group, Gen. d. Kav. von Bernhardi
Comb. Deutsch div., Genmj. Rusche
CVII. Deutsch div., Genmj. Hahndorff
II. K.u.K. Korps, Feldmlt. Kaiser
XLI. Honved inf. div., Genmj. Schamschula
IV. inf. div., Genmj. Pfeffer
Fath Korps, Gen. d. Inf. Fath
Kneu§l Group
Polish Legion, Genmj. von Puchalski
XXVI. SchŸtzen div., Genmj. von Wieden
XLV. SchŸtzen div., Genmj. von Stšhr
XI. Bay. div., Genlt. von Kneu§l
LIII. inf. div., Genmj. von Pongracz
Deutsch comb. div., Genlt. Clausius
Hauer kav. Korps, Gen. d. Kav. von Hauer
I. kav. div., Genmj. de Ruiz
IX. kav. div., Gennmj. von le Gay
Bay. kav. div., Genlt. von Hellingrath
Immediately following Roumania's defeat by the Quadruple Alliance
Linsingen Army Group, GdI von Linsingen
Army of the Bug, GdI von Linsingen
Litzmann Army Group, Gen. d. Inf. Litzmann
Dieffenbach Group, Genlt. Dieffenbach
XLVI. SchŸtzen div., Genmj. von Urbanski
XLVIII. inf. div., Genmj. Felix Prinz zu Schwarzenberg
XXII. Deutsch inf. div., Genlt. Dieffenbach
Falkenhayn Korps, Gen. d. Kav. von Falkenhayn
VII. K.u.K. inf. div., Genmj. Baumgartner
XLIII. Deutsch res. div., Genlt. von Runckel
IV. K.u.K. Armee, Generaloberst von Tersztyanszky
Marwitz Group, Gen. d. Kav. von der Marwitz
Beckmann Group, Genlt. Beckmann
CVIII. Deutsch inf. div., Genlt. Beckmann
II. Deutsch Guards div., Oberst von Arnim
CXV. inf. div., Genmj. von Kleist
Szurmay K.u.K. Korps, Feldmlt. Szurmay
XI. inf. div., Genmj. von Metz
X. Deutsch Landsturm div., Genlt. von Stocken
X. K.u.K. Korps, Gen. d. Inf. von Csanady
XIII. SchŸtzen div., Feldmlt. Kalser von Maasfeld
II. inf. div., Genmj. von Jemrich
Reinforced X. Deutsch Korps, Genlt. Schmidt von Kobelsdorf
XIX. Deutsch inf. div., Genmj. von HŸlsen
XX. Deutsch inf. div., Genmj. Wellmann
CXXI. Deutsch inf. div., Genmj. von Ditfurth
XXIX. K.u.K. inf. div., Feldmlt. Schšn
Support: CCXV. Deutsch inf. div., Genmj. Gronau
CCXVIII. Deutsch inf. div., Genmj. Gentner
Bernhardi Army Group, XCII. Deutsch inf. div., Genmj. Rusche
CVII. Deutsch inf. div., Genlt. Hahndorff
II. K.u.K. Korps, Feldmlt. Kaiser
IV. inf. div., Feldmlt. Pfeffer
XLI. Honved inf. div., Genmj. Schamschula
XXII. K.u.K. Korps, Feldmlt. Krauss
Wernitz Group, Genlt. von Wernitz
XXVI. K.u.K. SchŸtzen div., Genmj. von Wieden
XLV. K.u.K. SchŸtzen div., Genmj. von Stšhr
LXXXVI. Deutsch inf. div., Genlt. von Wernitz
Clausius Group, Genlt. Clausius
VII. K.u.K. kav. Korps, Genmj. Marenzi
LIII. K.u.K. inf. div., Feldmlt. von Pongracz
XCI. Deutsch inf. div., Genlt. Clausius
Hauer kav. Korps, Gen. d. Kav. von Hauer
IX. kav. div., Genmj. von le Gay
I. Deutsch inf. div., Gen. d. Inf. von Jacobi
Bay. kav. div., Genlt. von Hellingrath
Woyrsch's Army Group, XII. Korps, Gen. d. Inf. von Henriquez
XXXV. inf. div., Feldmlt. von Podhorajsky
Polish Legion attached, Genmj. von Puchalski
Eichhorn Army Group, XXIV. inf. div., Feldmlt. von Urbarz
Immediately preceding the Kerensky Offensive
Linsingen Army Group, Gen. d. Inf. von Linsingen
Lipa Group, Gen. d. Kav. von Falkenhayn
XLVI. k.k. SchŸtzen div., Genmj. von Urbanski
Buzany det., ?
XXII. Deutsch inf. div., Genlt. Kruge
XX. Honved inf. div., Genmj. von Lukachich
reinf. CCXV. Deutsch inf. div., Genmj. Gronau
IV. K.u.K. Armee, Generaloberst von Kirchbach
Luga Group, Gen. d. Inf. Riemann
CVIII. Deutsch inf. div., ?
CXXIV. Deutsch inf. div., Genmj. von RŸstow
XI. K.u.K. inf. div., Genmj. von Metz
Mittel Group, Generaloberst Kritek
X. Deutsch Landwehr div., Genlt. von Stocken
XIII. k.k. SchŸtzen div., Feldmlt. von Kasler
II. K.u.K. inf. div., Genmj. Eduard Ritter Jemrich von der Bresche
reinf. VIII. Deutsch Korps, Genlt.von Schšler
LXXXVI. Deutsch inf. div., Genlt. von Wernitz
VII. WŸrttembergisch Landwehr inf. div., Genlt. von Wencher
XXIX. K.u.K. inf. div., Genmj. Steiger
Kowel Det., Gen. d. Kav. von Bernhardi
XLV. Deutsch Landwehr div., Genmj. von Reyher
II. K.u.K. Korps, Feldmlt. Kaiser
CVII. Deutsch inf. div., Genmj. Havenstein
IV. K.u.K. inf. div., Feldmlt. Pfeffer
XXII. K.u.K. Korps, Feldmlt. Krauss
XXVI. SchŸtzen div., Genmj. Klein
XLV. SchŸtzen div., Genmj. von Stšhr
Clausius Group, Genlt. von Clausius
LIII. K.u.K. inf. div., Feldmlt. von Pongracz
XCI. Deutsch inf. div., Genlt. Clausius
Hauer kav. Korps, Gen. d. Kav. von Hauer
IX. kav. div., Genmj. von le Gay
I. Deutsch Landwehr div., Gen. d. Inf. von Jacobi
Reserves: XCII. Deutsch inf. div., Genlt. Melior
