Eastern Front of WW1 animated: 1914

It's insane how you can clearly see the difference between Germany and Russia’s railroad density

It always fascinated me that, for how static WW1 was in the western front for most of the conflict due to trench warfare, it was, on the other hand, quite mobile in the Eastern one.

I can't believe this was never made clear and interesting to us for the last 110 years, better late than never I guess.

Gotta give props to the Garrison in Przemysl, boys got encircled, relieved, and encircled again!

2:17 "They were opposed by 730 Austro-Hungarian soldiers in Galicia" Ladies and Gentlemen, look no further than that as proof of Von Hotzendorf's logistical genius!

Western front: after 15 months of constant human wave atacks a smouldering remenant of a sawmill has been captured! (This is the most exciting thing that has happened for 2 years) Eastern front: half of the army has been lost as the enemy has conducted a counterofensive and encircled us and taken 2 medium sized countries worth of territory but we were able to counter encircle his counter ofensive. (This is only the 3rd most interesting development this month)

It is fascinating that ww1 was never explored in so many details like ww2 or even some smaller-scale wars. I know most people won't find that interesting but it would be great if you make another one on the western front.

It would be AWESOME if you made a series on WW1 like you did to WW2. Both east and western fronts

I hope you could cover this up to Russian Civil War. Eastern front of WW1 rarely being talked about so I really curious about it.

"It'll be over by Christmas," they all said. That aged well.

Ouch, I believe Battle of Tannenberg was too simplified to satisfy me. I've been trying to learn as much as possible about this battle (since I was born in the city that was one of the first invaded by Samsonow's 2nd Army), and I think you've missed key elements of that battle. First of all, when Russians attacked from the south, general von Prittwitz decided to abandon East Prussia, and retreat onto the defensive line on the river Vistula. That's why Russians managed to break through so easily so deeply, almost reaching Allenstein from the south. Then von Prittwitz was replaced by famous duo of Hindenburg and Ludendorff, after lower general von Francois complained to von Moltke (chief of the entire German Army) about von Prittwitz plans to abandon whole region, giving up key positions almost for free. When Hindenburg and Ludendorff took power over 8th army, their approach changed massively. You were right, that it was mostly based on intercepted radio communication, but they wanted to defend East Prussia anyway. They managed to transport many troops (I think about 50K soldiers) from Konigsberg region, around Western part of East Prussia down to Iława-Działdowo (Deutsch Eylau - Soldau) region, and attack them from the West. Important battle of Uzdowo (Usdau) happend, led by german's general von Francois, which scared russian general Artamonow - who then completely abandoned his positions, leaving russian left flank completely undefenced - he jumped about 50 kilometers south, creating a huge gap for von Francois troops to encircle Russians from South. On the same time, german general Mackensen followed russian general Martos, who was retreating from Allenstein to cover russian right flank, because he thought he went too deep. That allowed Germans to encircle Russian 2nd Army from East. Two German Generals meet around Wielbark (Willenberg), completing encirclement. Martos was caught and defeated by Mackensen, becoming PoW himself. Legend says that Martos was held in a hotel in Nidzica (Neidenburg), in the same room he was staying just a few days later, when he took that Town with his army. Legend goes even further - he was treated well, because he prevented typical war chaos in the Town, stopped his soldiers from robbing citizens with harsh penalties - so he was held in good conditions. Okay, maybe I went with too much details, but I believe that changing leadership of 8th German Army was crucial. And on the other hand, another key element was missed. During the battle, Germans decided to send two corps present in France, to use them in East Prussia. Ludendorff after the battle said, that they got into East Prussia too late to be used in that battle, and those corps being not present in France meant Germans didn't have enough power to take over Paris - that Germans needed exactly those two corps to win battle of Marna.

Wow, new Eastory video. MY DAY IS PERFECT

The wait was sure worth it! Thank you eastory for amazing videos.

The Parallels are striking when comparing this video's intro about Russia's plans to invade Germany and take Berlin to win the war, to your Eastern Front videos in 1944-45 about the actual Soviet Advance into Germany and how similar it is to what you described here.

Note:In Vienna, the event "almost failed to make any impression whatsoever," according to historian Zbynęk Zeman. The crowds on June 28 and 29 continued to enjoy wine and music as if nothing had happened." Nevertheless, historian Christopher Clark has called the assassination of the heir apparent a "9/11 effect, a terrorist event charged with historic meaning, transforming the political chemistry in Vienna" due to its enormous impact.

Man, I'm pretty excited to see more map content this year. Whether it is from this new series about WW1 battlefields or continuing with the Pacific and Mediterranean campaigns of WW2, it sure sounds like a lot quality content is coming down the pipeline very soon.

Had no idea there was this much of a back and forth in 1914

It is crazy how much territory changes hands in only a few months of war, and this was before mechanized mobile warfare with trucks and tanks advancing at rapid paces.

I'm really glad you're covering this! Seeing a full history of the Eastern Front in WWI would be tremendous!

We need more of your videos dude. I love them! One series on the Vietnam war would be good too