The Russian Empire's significant gains against India posed a dire threat. Germany and Austria-Hungary, seeing the situation India was in, knew they needed to do something to alleviate the pressure on their Indian ally. Hindenburg and Ludendorff, commanding the German Army on the Eastern Front, formulated a plan to launch a major offensive aimed at Congress Poland. The objective was clear: to distract and divert Russian forces away from India and relieve the pressure on their ally.
The Austrian Offensive in October 1915 marked the beginning of this effort. Led by Conrad von Hotzendorf, the Austrian-Hungarian forces launched an ambitious offensive into the Carpathian Mountains. However, the timing of the offensive, amidst harsh winter conditions, proved to be a significant challenge. Despite artillery support, the Austro-Hungarian troops faced staunch resistance from the Russian Army, resulting in substantial casualties totaling around 138,000.
To the Russians, the Austrian offensive seemed more proof of Austria-Hungary's incompetence and height of stupidity, with the choice of attacking the Carpathians in winter viewed as a blunder. Yet, unbeknownst to them, the offensive served as a crucial distraction. The Russians, fearing the loss of Galicia, redeployed a significant portion of their forces to defend the region, leaving other areas vulnerable.
Meanwhile, the Germans meticulously laid the groundwork for their own offensive. Building up troops in East Prussia and stockpiling vital supplies, they prepared to strike when the opportune moment arrived. Employing strategic deception, the Germans deliberately allowed false war plans to fall into Russian hands, misdirecting Russian attention away from their true intentions.
When the Russians fell for the ruse and shifted their focus to Galicia, Hindenburg and Ludendorff seized the opportunity to launch their long-awaited offensive from East Prussia. The Germans caught the Russians completely by surprise, encountering minimal resistance as they advanced southward. Employing innovative tactics, including the deployment of tanks, the Germans swiftly overcame Russian defenses, cutting through their infantry with ease.
General Brusilov's efforts did allow hundreds of thousands of Russian troops to escape, but it was not enough to prevent the encirclement of a massive Russian force in Congress Poland. Approximately 900,000 to 1,000,000 Russian soldiers found themselves trapped in a pocket, and they faced annihilation.
The fall of Warsaw, captured by the joint Austro-Hungarian and German forces, marked a significant victory for the Central Powers. Kaiser Wilhelm II's visit to the front lines further bolstered morale among the victorious troops, and celebrations erupted throughout the Central Powers after this triumph.
For the Entente, however, the loss of Congress Poland dealt a devastating blow to morale as they entered 1916 reeling from a catastrophic disaster. Yet, amidst the gloom, there was a glimmer of hope with the arrival of American soldiers in considerable numbers, signaling America's full transition into a war economy and offering a ray of optimism for the embattled Allies.