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Scenario Author:
RhinoBones
Author's E-mail Address:
RhinoBones@aol.com
Last Scenario Revision Date:
October 8, 1999
VERSION 1.1
Background
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By March of 1915 it was clear to the Russians that defeating the Germany field army was impractical from a military point of view, however, the defeat of Austria-Hungary was not only possible but was something which could be done quickly. The trick through, was to get it done before the full weight of Germany's strength could be brought to bear on the Eastern Front. On March 18th Grand Duke Nicholas gave orders that all offensive operations were to be confined to the South, specifically, against Austria-Hungary. Shortly after the order was issued the Battle for the Carpathians was joined as the Russian army moved on the offense.
Russian forces jumped off from area of the Bug and Dniester Rivers, moved west against the mountains and then south towards the plains of Hungary. The Russian general staff concluded that once the fertile plains of Hungary were wrenched away from the Dual Monarchy that Austria would not continue the war alone but would seek a separate peace with Russia. With Austria-Hungary out of the war Serbia would be saved and the remaining Russian strength could be concentrated against the Germans and the Turks. On March 22nd the Russian offensive captured the fortress at Przemysl, the fortress at Czernowitz also fell and the Russians and by the middle of April were into the mountain passes, deep in the Carpathians. Once there the offensive collapsed from lack of men and material. The Russians were within a day's march of the Hungarian plains but could get no further.
Both armies were exhausted and both had suffered massively from casualties, captures and desertion. As it was, Austria-Hungary was ruined as a military threat on the Eastern Front and Russia's armies were severely depleted. Later in the year Germany would launch three great offensives (Courland, Gorlice-Tarnow and Brest Litovsk) with the aim of destroying the remaining Russian field armies and eliminating the Russian capacity to wage war. This task would be made much the easier due to Russia's losses in the Carpathians.
Victory Conditions
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The Russian forces will undoubtedly capture Przemysl and then move across the Carpathian Mountains into Hungary. The Austria-Hungarian army will need stop the Russians in the passes and recapture any objectives which have been lost. A few German units are stationed around Kalish and Thorn but they will be of little help with the fighting taking place in the mountains.
Remarks
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This scenario is designed to be played from the Austria-Hungary side. Playing from the Russian side will not produce a satisfactory solitaire game since the Russians will have a commanding material advantage. For PBM games, it is suggested that the Austria-Hungary side be awarded +3 in prestige and +2 in experience in order to achieve some order of balance.
Last Update Changes
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v1.0 05-22-99 Initial Release
v1.1 10-08-99 Upgraded Equipment file added. Russian
units set to 5 over par
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