The Year 1915

On 4 February, in Poland, heavy fighting continued in the Bzura-Ravka Rivers sector. The Russians took positions near Dachova, but fell back in Bukovina. There were heavy snow storms all along the Russian Front.

The Tsar left Tsarskoe Selo to visit Stavka (GHQ) and tour southern Russia. From the 5th through the 7th he was briefed on the military situation, but understood little. While there he wrote a letter to the Empress, mentioning a visit by Rear Admiral M.M. Veselkin, who administered flotilla commands in the Danube and Dobrudja area, saying “It is now the seventh time Veselkin has traveled the Danube to [Prakhovo] in Serbia with his Supply Expedition. The risk increases more and more, as the Austrians are doing all in their power to blow up our steamers.”

On 5 February, in Poland, the Russians scored successes on the Bzura and Ravka Rivers. Hindenburg issued orders for a German attack on the Russian 10th Army.

On the Southwest Front, there was heavy fighting in the Carpathian Mountains, as the German Südarmee mounted an assault on the Zwinin River.

On 6 February, on the Southwest Front, von Pflanzer-Baltin's Austro-Hungarian 7th Army recaptured Kimpolung in Bukovina.

General Ludendorff moved to Insterburg, HQ of the German 10th Army under General von Eichhorn.

In the Black Sea, the German cruiser Breslau bombarded the Russian port at Batum, striking the port at Yalta on the 7th.

On 7 February, in East Prussia, the German 8th Army and the newly formed 10th Army opened an offensive against the Russian 10th Army in the Masurian Lakes region. There were blinding snowstorms alternating with thaws making the roads almost impassable. The Germans moved on Lomzha and Myschinzhetz. The German 8th Army advanced 40 km, taking Johannisburg. German air strength in the region consisted of six Feldfliegerabteilungen (flying sections), with a total of 36 aircraft. Flying conditions were abominable.

The Russian 10th Army, HQ at Grodno, headed by General F.V. Sivers, was composed of the III, XX, XXVI, and III Siberian Corps.

On the Southwest Front in Galicia, there was fierce fighting at Kosziowa, northeast of Tucholka Pass. The Austro-Hungarians reached the Upper Suczava Valley in Bukovina.

The Year 1915

On 8 February, on the Northwest Front, General von Eichhorn's German 10th Army advanced on Augustovo, rolling up the Russian right wing. The German 8th Army approached Lyk (Lyck). The Russian III Siberian Corps put up an obstinate defense. The weather eased up, which allowed reconnaissance flights to begin. The Tsar left Stavka for Kiev. On the way he visited his sister Olga's hospital at Rovno.

On the Southwest Front, the Austro-Hungarians continued their advance in Bukovina.

In the Black Sea, Russian warships bombarded Trabizond, a coal port on the Turkish coast.

At Petrograd, the State Duma Defense Committee was allowed to hold a private conference with the ministers. War Minister Sukhomlinov informed them that there had been “mistakes in calculations,” but refused to give them all of the details. He gave them assurances that “measures had been taken to deal with the emergency.”

On 9 February, on the Northwest Front, German airmen reported the Russians withdrawing from their 10th Army front. The Germans took Biala, turning the Russian flank near Pilkallen.

On the Southwest Front, the Russians were forced to withdraw beyond the Suczava River in Bukovina.

At Petrograd, opening of a three day State Duma session, which approved the budget. Goremykin, Chairman of the Council of Ministers, provided the Duma with an accounting of the course of the war. After the session the government continued ruling by decree. The Tsar arrived in Kiev, met officials and inspected hospitals.

The German OHL command recommended to the Prussian War Ministry that a Chief of Field Aviation be established to direct all aviation activities.

Italy continued to press Austria-Hungary for territorial concession as the price for her continued neutrality.

On 10 February, in East Prussia, the German 10th Army pushed forward to the Pillkallen-Vladislavov line, taking Eydtkuhnen and Wirballen. Armeegruppe Gallwitz was in heavy fighting near Mlava. On the 10th and 11th, German aircraft were able to continue their reconnaissance flights in spite of bad weather.

The Russian 9th Army, led by General Lechitskiy, was holding front line between their 4th and 3rd Armies along the Nida River.

The Tsar toured hospitals at Poltava.