Russians have taken 106,000 prisoners of Austrian [sic]
Hear organ recital by a private on Brigade who is “Officers Servant” at the large Church of Steenvoorde. Rosary Played. Find name Vanbockstael on one of chairs.
Monday 12 June 1916
Nothing unusual.
Lots of work in office map drawing and taking stock.
Russians make their total captures up to 106,000 & all Austrians.
Wilson goes on pass to England. Our positions at Observatory Ridge have been taken back by 13 & 58th Battns.
Thursday 5 August 1915 – shower
Working at Canadian Ordnance Corps.
Warsaw taken by the Germans. Russians evacuated it and only destroyed the 3 bridges over the Vistula. Lublin in Poland taken by the Austrians
*The Great Retreat – The buildup of forces from the Central Powers on the eastern front was very effective at pushing the Russian’s back during the summer of 1915. Germans started their offensive in June of 1915 and gained ground in Poland through must of June and July of that year. On August 4th /5th German troops took Warsaw and Russian troops quickly retreated further east. This retreat caused Tsar Nicholas II to dismiss Grand Duke Nicholas Nikolaevich as leader of the war effort and to take control of the military directly.
Tuesday 15 June 1915 – fine
Went for cycle run with Harry to Gateacre and Huyton.
Farmers praying for rain. Our casualty list at the War totals an average of 1500 each day.
Russians are retiring all along the front – short of shells
Tuesday 23 March 1915 – fine
To Library at Derby
hunting up ped[igree] and history etc
The Russians take Pryzemysl.
To town with Tom and wife and Alice and had a fun time.
Singing songs etc, at Mr and Mrs Godsmark
*The Siege of Przemyśl- Przemyśl was a fortress town on the San River held by Austro-Hungarian troops. The Russians began attacking the stronghold on September 24th 1914 and at first accomplished very little while suffering heavy losses. The Russians however relentlessly held the siege and eventually acquired proper artillery to attack the forts. Though the Austro-Hungarians were able to hold out for 133 days they were eventually forced to surrender. This was the longest siege of the First World War
