The Siege of Fortress Przemyśl, 1914: Decisive Battle of the Eastern Front | Alexander Watson

This presentation, which was delivered 'live' to an online audience by Alexander Watson is about how, in the autumn of 1914, just a month into the First World War, the Russian Army laid siege to the multi-ethnic fortress-city of Przemyśl, the Habsburg Empire’s main stronghold in the east.

The Habsburg Field Army had been bloodied and routed in immense clashes on the borders, and Przemyśl, with its obsolete defences and garrison of 130,000 terrified middle-aged reservists, was in those critical weeks all that stood in the path of a Russian invasion of Central Europe.

This webinar tells the story of the fortress-city’s desperate resistance and explains why, had it not held that autumn, the Habsburg Empire would have collapsed, drastically foreshortening the First World War.

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[jezalb]

The Eastern front of the WWI is often forgotten by folks from the west.
Great work.

[joeyj]

Excellent talk! Great subject, great speaker, great venue as well. I'll be getting my mitts on the author's books for sure. Thanks to all involved.

[elsupremo]

The kind of in depth presentation that makes subscribing to the WFA so worthwhile.

[ronti]

The Fortress is an excellent read- great work Alexander! Indeed, I did purchase a copy. I live about 2 hours from Przemyśl. The forts are very well preserved and very much worth a visit.

[JuveVinny]

This is a great webinar. Thank you so much.

[thomasjamison]

I knew a jewish woman who was born in Western Russia around 1910. Whenever I talked with her, she almost always would say at some point in the conversation, "the best thing I ever did as a child was get on that boat."

[amir-ngjv]

Such a powerful story. Great presentation too

[seanmccann]

A brilliant study of a little known and even less understood facet of The Eastern Front in WW1, thank you to all involved in this presentation. Perhaps the most amazing fact about the various forces which constituted the 'Imperial and Royal' Austro-Hungarian Military is not that they had difficulties with equipment, communications, organisation and supply; but that they managed to achieve some successes despite their fragmentary allegiances and divided loyalties. Thanks again.

[Digmen]

When I was 14 (50 years ago I used to love reading about the campains in the east - Galicia etc

[johnsowerby]

Excellent talk on a subject I knew a little about, but nowhere near enough

[thomasp]

5:25 The map is out of date by 1914. Norway got independent in 1905.

[johncecilia]

It's surprising that Russia was so weak in artillery, considering they were humiliated by Japan 10 years earlier due to similar technological issues. You would think they would have tried to be closer to Germany if they were preparing for war with them. Was it all due to the economics?
Great video!

[rudolphguarnacci]

Fantàsric presenter! Fascinating event!

[richardedmonds]

Really enjoyed this talk, I’m fascinated with the eastern front in WW1. 👍🏻

[shlomomark]

Very interesting. My late paternal Grandmother told me about her experience as a little girl during WWI in a region just south of Przemysl. It's clear that she omitted information from us... but she did described the retreat of the Austrian forces and the arrival of the Russians

[blueband]

I visited Przemyśl back in 2018, managed to get to Fort Salis Soglio well worth it.

[Jon.A.Scholt]

35:06 "Tells Chewbacca". I didn't know Chewie was in the First World War.

[Ealsante]

Ah, Hotzendorf. The KuK Armee never had a deadlier foe than its own Chief of Staff.

[TomFynn]

I seriously think one of the reasons why the Eastern Front of WWI is largely forgotten is that no one west of the Oder-Neiße line can pronounce the names of the battle sites.

[MadMax-bqpg]

Alex, if you want to understand what older motivated people can do, read “Boarding party” by James Leasor