Chapter 637： Russian war plan II (1/2)

”We can do this. In East Prussia, we launched a limited offensive, strived to enter the Silesian region of Russia, occupied East Prussia and leveled the front before the arrival of German reinforcements. Then, the Northwest Front and subsequent reinforcements stabilized the line of defense, and The Southwest Front Army concentrated its efforts on attacking the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Compared with Germany, the Austro-Hungarian Empire is much weaker in terms of national strength, military power, or will to war. If the Austro-Hungarian Empire can collapse or be forced to withdraw from the war, our goal will be achieved. ”Kuropatkin said his deliberate plan.

War is for politics, but also for interests. Because of the rise of Germany, France and Russia have the opportunity to get closer to each other. In the final analysis, the purpose of Russia's participation in the war is for its own security and gaining more territory.

In this case, the Russian strategy is surprisingly similar to that in history. If after the war, Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire concentrated their forces to attack Russia, then the Russian troops would mainly defend against the German army. After all, the German army’s appearance in the Franco-Prussian War could be. To describe it against the sky, who would have thought that Europe's top army would be over so soon? This is the I plan of the No. 19 plan formulated by Russia in 1910 in history.

And if the German military transfers its main force to the western front and fights with the French, then the Northwest Army consisting of the Russian First Army and the Second Army will attack East Prussia, and the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 8th Army will form The Southwest Group Army launched an offensive against the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This is the so-called Plan A.

The main combat mission of the Russian Army in the southwest is to destroy the Austro-Hungarian Army in the direction of Galicia, and then cooperate with the friendly forces from the Lorpathians to cut off the retreat of the Austro-Hungarian Army in order to completely kill the main force of the Austro-Hungarian Army. The ultimate goal is to target Vienna and Budapest, the capitals of this dual empire.

In addition to these six army groups, the Russians also have two army groups ready to go. These are the sixth and seventh army groups. One of these two army groups is stationed near the capital St. Petersburg to defend the coast of the Baltic Sea, while the other army group is Deployed in the Transcaucasus region, used to defend the Turkish Army.

”It is a good idea to launch a limited attack on Germany and concentrate most of its forces on Austria-Hungary. We can get the most results with the least loss.” Nicholas II appreciated this proposal very much.

”The only problem is that we don't know which German army is guarding the eastern front? Is it the Bavarian army or a certain Prussian army?” Kuropatkin said.

”Does this make a big difference?” Nicholas II asked.

”The difference is big, because the current size of the Bavarian Army should be the largest of all the German Army, and it is also the most well-funded and best-equipped. Although the Kingdom of Bavaria cannot be compared with the Kingdom of Prussia, they only armed with one army, so This group army is relatively strong, and the equipment they sold to us has been well received in the war, so their combat effectiveness will be stronger. Moreover, the prince’s wife is still the princess of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and he is likely to help the Austro-Hungarian Empire.” Ropatkin said.

”So, what do you think about this army's defense of the Eastern Front?” Nicholas II continued to ask.

”Although we have done a lot of business with Bavaria, we don’t know much about their situation, but based on our experience, I think they will be equipped with a large number of heavy artillery and have strong mobility, so I hope to give The Northwest Group Army is equipped with a strong cavalry unit and a heavy artillery unit, and it is best to fire the German army to establish an armored vehicle unit.” Kuropatkin said.