On July 21, 1917, General Imiya-Dimitriev, Chief of Staff of the Balkan region, linked up with the Russians in the Liberec area of Czechia. But as he looked at this pack of Russian troops who seemed like starving ghosts reborn, a herd of alpacas thundered through his heart.
He had originally wondered why the Russians had moved so quickly this time, but now that he saw them, all his doubts were answered. Their stomachs had driven them into it!
To save rations, this force heading to Czechia to link up with Bulgaria had set out carrying only a small amount of food. In other words, they had marched on empty stomachs, so naturally they now had to stuff themselves ruthlessly!
There was even worse news. The Russian generals directly demanded weapons and ammunition from him. This massive Russian force of 1.35 million men possessed fewer than 300,000 rifles and just over 10,000 pistols. That was all the weaponry and equipment they had!
According to the Russians, the rest of their weapons and equipment had been left behind in the name of "speed is the soul of war." Naturally, Imiya-Dimitriev did not believe that explanation. He knew the Russians had left those weapons for their other combat units.
After all, with their numbers halved, supplies that had originally been enough for one week could now last half a month. By doing this, the Russians had bought more time for their logistical transport.
As for the Russian troops who had come to link up with Bulgaria, they clearly were no longer here to fight. Their main purpose was simply to scrounge a meal.
Faced with this bunch of deadweights, how could General Imiya-Dimitriev possibly be in a good mood? He could still provide the Russians with a batch of ammunition, but weapons?