Baranovichi Offensive

The Baranovichi Offensive was a battle fought in July 1916. Despite sixfold Russian numerical superiority, the battle ended the German victory with huge losses of the Russian army.

Background
Simultaneously with the attack of Russian Southwestern Front, Russian Western Front was to lead the attack 4th and 10th Armies in the direction of Vilna. Then, the plan of attack was changed - instead attack on Vilna supposed to organize an offensive in the area of Baranovichi. In early June 1916 the troops of the Southwestern Front began an offensive, broke position the Austro-Hungarian army and advanced into Galicia. However, commander of the Western Front, General of Infantry A. E. Evert twice postponed planned offensive of Western Front, first on May 31, then on June 4, and then attempted to cancel the operation at all. By categorical demand of Russian GHQ on June 3 Western Front was obliged to " attack the enemy on the front - Nowogrodek - Baranovichi".

Battle
The first attack Russian Fourth Army began on July 2 by three army corps, but during July 3 offensive was stopped around the German front. On July 4 Russian re-started the attack, during July 5 were continuously fighting. All Russian attack failed. Night of July 8 Russians for the third time went on the offensive, but during the day of July 9 all Russian attacks were repulsed. On July 14 the Germans counterattacked and held back their lost positions. On July 25 Russian attack resumed. The offensive continued until July 29, but again failed.

Results
Having to prepare a few months, having a sixfold advantage in manpower and artillery, the Russians could not break through the fortified German position front, possessing only the first fortified line in some areas of the offensive. None of the sites advancing breakthrough did not come to the third line of defense of the German army. Moreover, the powerful rapid counterattack of German troops were able to partially return the original position.

Literature

 * John Keegan: Der erste Weltkrieg. Eine europaische Tragodie. Rowohlt-Taschenbuch-Verlag, Reinbek bei Hamburg 2001, ISBN 3-499-61194-5
 * Norman Stone: The Eastern Front 1914–1917. Penguin Books Ltd., London 1998, ISBN 0-14-026725-5
 * Christian Zentner: Der erste Weltkrieg. Daten, Fakten, Kommentare. Moewig, Rastatt 2000, ISBN 3-8118-1652-7