BOOK REVIEW: RUSSIA'S LAST GASP.

This is the third in the series of books I recently purchased on the Eastern Front during the First World War and covers the events of 1916.

Probably the most significant military event was the Brusilov offensive. He was the only Russian general who actually studied the tactics and outcomes of the war to date and had learned much from the German offensive in 1915. Consequently he re-trained his forces and created an artillery bombardment plan.  As a result he was able to launch a highly effective assault which only came to a standstill as a result of logistical issues and the increasing presence of German reinforcements rushed from the West. However he had dealt a death blow to the already weak kuk which for the rest of the war was little more than a militia force wholly dependant on the German army.

Later in the year Romania finally decided to join the war on the side of the Allies. However they had waited a touch too long and Germany was able to transfer troops from the Brusilov front and not only stopped the Romanian offensive into Transylvania but, together with their Bulgarian allies, launched a counteroffensive which resulted in the capture of the Romanian capital Bucharest. A couple of very interesting learning points here is that the Bulgarians and  Romanians still used oxen for much of their supply service and even for some artillery units and that several Turkish divisions also took part in the invasion of Romania.

Once again the increasingly difficult food situation in Germany and Austria-Hungary is discussed together with the efforts in Germany to increase war material production. The political situation in Russia is also discussed at great length and it is noted that by the end of the year significant cracks were appearing in Russian society. The seeds of revolution had been planted and were growing at a fast pace.

Once again this really is an excellent book on the Eastern front and highly recommended .