Battle of Augustów (1914)

Battle of Augustów (1914)
Part of Eastern Front of World War I
General Flug, who defeated the main German forces and occupied Suwalki
Date 12–17 September 1914 Location Augustów, Russian Poland (present-day Poland) Result Russian victory Territorial changes Russia captures Stalluplen, Gołdap, Lykov and Byaluyu
Belligerents
Russian Empire	German Empire
Commanders and leaders
Evgeny Aleksandrovich Radkevich Vasily Flug	Richard von Schubert
Units involved
10th Army	8th Army
Strength
9 infantry and 1.5 cavalry divisions participated in the battle	7 infantry and 1 cavalry divisions
Casualties and losses
20,000	Very heavy

The Battle of Augustów or First Augustow operation was a battle on the Eastern Front of the First World War. It was fought between the Russian Empire and the German Empire in September 1914.

Prelude

Following the retreat of the Russian 10th army in the Battle of Tannenberg, Russian forces found themselves defending the parameter of Augustów. The 10th army set up position at the bank of the Neman river.

Battle

Fighting erupted against the German 8th Army on 12 September as the German force attempt to cross the Nieman River against the Russians led by General Evgeny Aleksandrovich Radkevich, whose force occupies the forest of Augustów. The German army's goal is to secure communications for the south of the bank. Camouflaged Russian soldiers who had been transferred to the right bank of the Neman spotted German troops attempting to cross the river by constructing platoons and opened fire, sweeping hundreds of Germans into the river. A prolonged artillery duel followed, during which the Germans attempted to cross the river again over the pontoon bridge but failed. The Germans then made a third attempt to cross the river in the evening, but were once again mowed down by Russian artillery. According to one report in the Evening Standard, approximately 20,000 German bodies were floating down the Neman. The Germans retreated eight miles, with the Russian Cossack soldiers in pursuit, leaving behind wounded soldiers, weapons, munitions and convoys. Driven from the Neman, the Germans made desperate attempts to slow the offensive by Russian troops, and a battle took place near Augustów. The Germans were defeated by Russian artillery fire and bayonets, and were pushed back to the East Prussian border.

Aftermath

The battle ended with an important operational victory for Russia, the skilful actions of the command shackled parts of the 8th army, which helped win the Battle of Warsaw, and also invaded East Prussia, strengthening the positions of the northwestern front. The exact losses of the Germans are unknown, but they are extremely high, according to the participants of the battle, "The Neman was red with Blood after the battle" and "The entire German retreat path was littered with their corpses"

Sources

• Олейников, Алексей (2016). Россия-щит Антанты. С предисловием Николая Старикова. St. Petersburg: Питер. ISBN 978-5-496-01795-4.