[C19fan]

The Hapsburg Empire was probably the least prepared for war in August 2014. The Imperial Army was starved for funds due to Hungarian suspicions, justifiably, that army would be a tool to suppress Hungarian home rule after the creation of the Dual Monarchy. The Hapsburg army especially lacked heavy artillery. The Austro-Hungarian army was basically destroyed in the first months of the war and Germany needed to intervene to prop it up.

I remember an author was on the John Batchelor show and he talked about this siege. He mentioned the plight of the young women in Przemyśl caught between the deprivations of the siege and the sexual appetites of the soldiers.

[dp0622]

I saw a special a LONG time ago called “Chained to a Corpse) about Germany basically carrying them.

As for sexual assault, it seems the only time I don’t recall this being rampant in a war is with American troops in WWII.

I could have just missed it in reading or am being naive.

But it would make senses that rescuers wouldn’t be prone to rape nearly as much as invaders.

Although I guess GIs could have gone to town with Germany’s women if they wanted to.

But what do I know?

Don’t know enough about WWI to comment about the allies

[Attention Surplus Disorder]

Most people are quite ignorant as to the history of WW1. (Not meant as an insult) WW2 is of course much more recent, much more dramatic, and the US had a much larger role. Yet arguably, WWI was much more influential in shaping the world of today and if you also believe that WWI laid the groundwork for WW2 (It pretty much did) then of course it was more influential.

For those interested, At https://www.dancarlin.com/hardcore-history-series/ Dan Carlin has a magnificent narrative history of WWI. It’s long, like 6 qty 1.5 hours episodes. Free. It’s called Blueprint for Armageddon. It’s superb.

[colorado tanker]

The photo of the senior Austrian officers in the article is tellingly accurate. They were arrogant, ignorant martinets who squandered the lives of their soldiers in absurd frontal assault tactics.

The city would endure a second seige in the Polish-Ukrainian war that broke out after the disintegration of the Hapsburg monarchy.

The city had a large Jewish community and endured more horrors during WWII.

The pictures from today reflect a pretty, peaceful town.

[lizma2]

Did you read the commentary at the end of the article I guess from the Guardian.

America faces an epic choice… in the coming year, and the results will define the country for a generation. Democracy is under attack, as is civility, truth and normal forms of political behaviour. The White House harbours white nationalists, incites fear and prejudice, undermines intelligence agencies, courts foreign influence in US elections and undermines the judiciary.

Lordy. Pravda is alive and well.