After Grand Duke Nicholas got Southwestern Front's battle plan, he thought about it for a long time. He was shocked that General Ivanov planned to implement such a risky battle plan. However, he had to admit that this was Russia's only chance to reverse the situation and win.
If Southwestern Front's combat plan succeeds, then the situation on the entire battlefield will change. Russia will have the advantage over Eastern Front, and even directly threaten the hinterland of the Germany people, making this war develop in a direction more beneficial to Allied Powers.
But if it fails, the Russian army will probably lose completely on the Eastern Front. After losing more than two million troops, even the Russia, which has a strong number of soldiers, will be exhausted. Of course, if Russia is given some time to breathe, Russia can still raise an army of millions. However, in this process, the loss of large areas of territory may be unavoidable. In that case, it would not be easy to explain to Tsar Nicholas II.
Grand Duke Nicholas is also in a dilemma as to how to choose. After much thought, he approved General Ivanov's battle plan. After all, he couldn't give up the temptation to gain Eastern Front's decisive advantage. After the Northwestern Front Army's disastrous defeat, the situation on the Eastern Front was no longer favorable to Russia. If we don't think of a way to reverse the situation, Russia may lose this war.
In addition, if Southwestern Front can win this time, Tsar Nicholas II will probably be very happy! The previous successive failures made Nicholas II very angry.
General Ivanov took action immediately after the combat plan was approved. 3rd Army Corps, 4th Army Corps, 8th Army Corps and 11th Army Corps, subordinate to Southwestern Front, began to be transferred frequently. 4th Army Corps, build defensive positions on the Chełm and Zamość lines southeast of Lublin. 3rd Army Corps, 8th Army Corps and 11th Army Corps are further advancing towards the Carpathian Mountains. As long as they cross this mountain range, they will reach the platform Hungarian Plain. The Russian army was able to directly threaten Austro-Hungarian Empire's hinterland and defeat Austro-Hungarian Empire.
The unusual movement of the Russian Southwestern Front Army made the Austrian army stationed at the Carpathian Mountains very nervous. Carpathian Mountains is already their last line of defense. If even Carpathian Mountains cannot stop Russians, then the war will burn into the hinterland of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This will be a heavy blow to the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
"Crown Prince, Russians's Southwestern Front are beginning to approach our defense line. It is expected that they will launch an attack soon." Baron Marshal von Heitzenforf looked serious.
Oscar nodded. "Russians is not a fool. Our 8th Army Corps going south has aroused their vigilance. However, I did not expect that they would choose such a method to confront us. At first, I thought they would concentrate their forces to defend our 8th Army Corps, but now it seems that the Russian army's Commander is still very courageous and actually wants to fight us head-on."
Both Crown Prince Karl and Archduke Friedrich have returned to Vienna. Without that annoying guy, Oscar has also relaxed a lot. Of course, a big reason why Crown Prince Karl left the front line was because Baron Marshal von Heitzenforf told him that once the battle started, Uzhhorod where they were located would be very dangerous and would most likely become the primary target of Russians's attack. If the war on the front line goes unfavorably, the Russian army is very likely to attack here. Therefore, Baron Marshal von Heitzenforf asks Crown Prince Karl to return Vienna. In that case, it will be safer.
When Crown Prince Karl heard that Uzhhorod might become the front line, with a handsome little face, he turned pale with fear. He left Uzhhorod without saying a word the next day and returned to Vienna.
Crown Prince Karl's behavior naturally left the generals of the Austrian army speechless. If there is no comparison, they may still think that Crown Prince Karl is not bad. However, compared with Oscar, it is like heaven and earth.
"Your Highness, will this have a negative impact on our plan?" Baron Marshal von Heitzenforf was a little worried. This time, they have gambled their future destiny! If the battle situation is unfavorable, Austro-Hungarian Empire will be in trouble.
"Don't worry, Your Excellency. I was originally worried that Russians would stick around and wait for help, which would make it more difficult for us to defeat them. But now, since Russians dares to take the initiative to attack, it will be relatively easier to defeat them." Oscar looked very confident.
"Your Excellency, can your three armies hold the Carpathian Mountains defense line? It will take at least half a month for 8th Army Corps to defeat Russian 4th Army Corps and outflank the Russian army's retreat." Oscar said with a serious face.
If the Austrian army cannot even hold on to this, then there may be no way to continue this battle.
"Crown Prince, if you just defend yourself, you can persist for half a month, there will be no problem at all." Marshal von Hotzendorf replied. After all, after the Russian army's 4th Army Corps was attacked by German 8th Army Corps, the Russian army only used three armies to attack them. When everyone has equal strength and the Austrian army's weapons are still superior, if the Austrian army cannot withstand the Russian attack, then they, the Austrian army generals, should commit suicide in shame.
Oscar nodded. "That's good. When the Austrian army is fully committed to the Carpathian Mountains defense line, 8th Army Corps will launch a fierce attack on the Russian army. By then, we have cut off the Russian army's retreat and cut off their logistics supply line, and this battle will become much easier to fight."
Baron Marshal von Heitzenforf nodded. Since Oscar was full of confidence in this, he seemed to have nothing to worry about.
"Tomorrow, 8th Army Corps will launch an attack on Russian 4th Army Corps. The Carpathian Mountains defense line depends on the Austrian army. I hope that we can get a perfect victory in this battle!" Oscar said.
"Don't worry, Crown Prince. The Austrian army will definitely be able to hold on until that day." Marshal von Hotzendorf said with a smile.
On October 7, 1914, the German Imperial Army's 8th Army Corps officially launched an attack on Russian 4th Army Corps. At the same time, the three Austrian army groups all entered the Carpathian Mountains defense line to strengthen the defense line and prevent the Russian attack.