Winter Report 1914
German counter-attack
With the Russians being pushed out of East Prussia the German high command under von Moltke ordered an counter offensive with the objectives Kowno and Grodno in mind. Their fortifications prove to be of strategic importance as one provides extra protection from any invasion into East Prussia from the East whilst the other is right on top of a rail junction which will be usefull in any long term offensive operations in the future.
The 2. Armee under von Bülow started the attack early october, the first engagement was on a large scale both sides brought in about over 200.000 men into the fight and the losses on both sides where high. To avoid a battle of attrition von Bülow telegraphed Hindeburg for aid. The 8. Armee moved into Kowno and von Hindenburg immediatly struck the defenses with swift assaults over 2 days dealing decisive blows and fortifications traded ownership becomming part of Germany in the early days of December.
First attack fort Kowno
1. Armee under von Kluck who headed for Grodno from the North had to divert it's attention more to the West of Grodno as Russians under the command of Samsonov where located in the forest, the VII, X, XVII, IV and the Garde Corps who where advancing towards Grodno from the West supported the attack. The woods of Osewiecz became a place where over 15.000 Russians died trying to fight their way out before they would be crushed under the attack from both sides. The fort of Grodno find itself under siege but as of yet no progress has been made in it's capture.
Later in the month November Japan declared war on the German Empire, it seems the diplomatic mission of the British caused them to join their side in promise of new territory to expand their Empire. One day this decision will backfire upon them the Kaiser told in a speech after the news that both nations found themselves at war with one another.
In the Pacific immediatly after the declaration of war of Japan von Spee found himself on the other side of the hunt as a Japanese fleet of considerable size was chasing them, unfortunately it came to a quick engagement and the SMS Nürnberg was sunk with loss of all hands.
SMS Nürnberg prior to the outbreak of the war
von Spee sailed to the West to a naval base in one of the German colonies for repair.
von Moltke.
Despite the German successes the aging von Moltke was forced into retirement after a ongoing disagreement with the Kaiser. This comes ill timed with the morale soaring so high with the men and their commanders at the front. von Falkenhayn is to replace von Moltke as the Chief of the German Army.
New year's eve 1914
Eastern Front
Western Front
