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The Year 1914
German forces consisted of the 9th Army, the 8th Army led by Prince Leopold of Bavaria, von Woyrsch's Landwehr Corps, and von Gallwitz's Guard Corps. A thin screen of newly formed units would cover the 96 km wide gap between the 9th Army and Austro-Hungarian forces. Frontier guards, reinforced by garrisons at Thorn and Graudenz, were to cover the East Prussian frontier.
On the Northwest Front, the Germans intercepted a Russian wireless message which stated, “Having followed the enemy for more than 120 versts (127 km) it is time to hand over pursuit to the cavalry. The infantry is tired and supply is difficult.” The British Ambassador left Constantinople.
On 2 November, the Russian 10th Army, with XXVI, II Caucasian, XXII, III Siberian, XX, and III Corps, led by General Sivers, holding the front from Kovno to Osovets, advanced into East Prussia.
Russia formally declared war against Turkey. Russian and French Ambassadors left Constantinople. An autonomous Caucasian Front was formed under Vorontsov-Dashkov, but real military command was provided by Russian General N.N. Yudenich.
The Russian Ministry of the Navy established the Council for Administrating Affairs of the Industrial Enterprises of the Naval Department, which was subordinated directly to the Deputy Naval Minister to supervise that service's industrial plants and shipyards.
While on an inspection tour, Tsar Nicholas II briefly visited Minsk, then traveled to Stavka at Baranovichi.
On 3 November, in southwest Poland, the Russian 4th Army, commanded by General A.E. Evert, with Grenadier, XVII, XVII, and III Caucasian Corps, defeated the enemy at Kyeltsi (Kielce).
The Tsar celebrated the 20th anniversary of his reign.
On the Caucasian Front, Russian troops advanced across the Turkish border, moving on Koprukoy. They quickly occupied the town of Bayazid, which commanded the road to Van.
On 4 November, von Hindenburg pulled the German 9th Army out of the line in Poland, sending it on a rapid march to outflank the Russian right. On the Southwest Front, the Russians heavily defeated the Austro-Hungarians at Jaroslau, taking 19,000 prisoners in twelve days of heavy fighting.
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The Year 1914
On 5 November, Germans under von Woyrsch were retreating in Poland, and moved their HQ back to Czenstochau.
In the Black Sea, a Russian destroyer squadron laid 240 mines northwest of the mouth of the Bosporus, of which 50 detonated in deep water. The operation failed to hinder the enemy fleet.
Great Britain and France declared war on Turkey.
The Russian Caucasian Army began an invasion of Armenia. They were opposed by the Turkish 3rd Army under General Hassan Izzet Pasha.
On 6 November, Germans and Austro-Hungarians continued their retreat from Russian Poland.
On the Southwest Front in Galicia, the Russians were in command of the line of the San River. The Austro-Hungarian 1st Army front had collapsed, remnants were falling back towards Krakau through the marshy regions of the Nida River, reforming alongside the 4th Army. The Austro-Hungarian GHQ was located at Neu Sandec.
In the Black Sea, Russian warships heavily bombarded the key Turkish port at Zonguldak. The Russian Caucasian Front HQ was already reporting a severe shortage of cartridges.
On 7 November, in the Black Sea, the German cruiser Breslau shelled harbor facilities at Poti to retaliate for the raid on Zonguldak.
The Russian Ambassador in Sofia pressured Bulgaria to join the Allies, but Bulgaria refused. The following day the Allies offered Bulgaria parts of eastern Thrace and Macedonia as an inducement to join them. Bulgaria was not interested.
Tsar Nicholas II traveled from Stavka to visit Kholm and Seidlets. While at Stavka, the Tsar was visited by Duma Chairman Rodzianko, who was allowed to call for a congress of public organizations to cope with medical and supply problems at the front. The Interior Minister, N.A. Maklakov, refused to grant the request stating that it would give credence to the fact that “there exists disorders in supplying the army.” Maklakov saw the Duma as a threat and as paving a road to revolution.
On 8 November, on the Northwest Front, the Russian 10th Army captured Eydtukuhnenin and Stalluponen in East Prussia.
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