GWASL Butcher's Bill BRAND NEW

Near MAKARCE, EAST PRUSSIA, 19 February, 1915: The Second Battle of the Masurian Lakes was an attempt by Ober Ost to recreate the previous Autumn’s encirclement battle of Tannenberg. Four corps, withdrawn from the Western Front, provided the capability to disrupt Russian plans for their winter offensive in East Prussia. Firmly equipped with ample heavy artillery, combat engineers, and winter clothing, the Germans faced nearly overwhelming difficulties in the extreme weather. They were greatly aided by Russian incompetence. Command conflicts, poor intelligence, and a disbelief of German actions led to a series of engagements in which the Russians were repeatedly out maneuvered and driven from poor defensive positions. Three Corps from the 10th Army were driven back from Suwalki and faced with encirclement at the hands of the German 8th and 10th Armies. By mid-month in the midst of maneuver, a thaw ensued, with it a quagmire adding to the general misery. In the Augustowo forest, a primeval setting of pines, and wet ground the demise of the Russian 10th Army was at hand. One standout was a poorly led and equipped Imperial Russian Army formation, the 108th Reserve Infantry Regiment (27th Division). These hardy peasants managed to remain largely intact during a chaotic retreat through the forest.