Osovets ... anyone know what it is and where? Let me explain. Fortress Osovets - supporting fortress, erected on the river near the village Osovitse Beavers (now Polish proud Osovets fortress), 50 kilometers from the city of Bialystok. From 1795 to 1918 the area was part of the Russian Empire. The fortress was built to defense area, which was of strategic importance, as it is among his lay in the path of this region of East Prussia and Austria in the western regions of the Russian Empire. It is for this fortress and there was a bloody battle, which confirmed in its entirety the courage and fortitude of the Russian soldiers and officers.
- Since the beginning of the First World War a number of fortresses was taken by the Germans in the shortest time. This created the impression impossibility prolonged resistance strongholds in the presence of powerful siege artillery, no way possessed Germany. Meanwhile Osovets, is a relatively small fortress built unfinished confidently fought, holding the front on both sides for 20-25 versts. Defenders proved that man was and still is the main instrument of struggle, and his belief in success is stronger than any artillery, even heavy duty.
- By the beginning of World War garrison headed by Lieutenant-General A.A.Shulman. In January 1915 he was replaced by Major General N.A.Brzhozovsky who commanded the fort until the end of Activism garrison in August 1915. The garrison consisted of one infantry regiment (Compatriot regiment), two artillery battalions, sapper units and support units. Armed with the garrison consisted of 200 guns caliber ot57 to 203 mm. The infantry was armed with rifles, machine guns and heavy lungs.
The first onslaught of the Germans launched in September 1914. By installing large-caliber guns, they bombarded the fort for six days. Failing surrender of the fortress, they were in January 1915 began its siege. For this purpose were delivered the famous "Big Bertha" - siege guns 420 mm caliber, 800-kilogram bombs which breach the two-meter steel and concrete slabs. Funnel from such an explosion was five feet deep and fifteen in diameter. The Germans estimated that to compel surrender of the fortress with a garrison of a thousand men only two of these guns and 24-hour bombardment 360 shells every four minutes - volley. Under Osovets brought four "Big Bertha" and 64 other powerful siege weapons, with 17 batteries.
- The most terrible enemy was at the beginning of the siege. February 25 the Germans opened fire on the fort, bringing its 27 and 28 February before the hurricane; This lasted until March 3. Within a few days the horrific fire on the fortress was released to only 250 thousand heavy projectiles! And all for the siege - up to 400 thousand! As recalled by the surviving defenders, brick buildings collapsed, wood burning, weak concrete structures gave huge spalling in the vaults and walls. Wire connection was aborted highway spoiled funnels; trenches, machine gun nests and light shelters razed. The fortress hovering clouds of smoke and dust. Together with the artillery fortress was bombed by German airplanes. It seemed that no one will come out of this hurricane of fire and iron.
But advocates strengthening survived. Moreover, the fire of our batteries had been destroyed a number of siege weapons, including two "Big Bertha". The second line of troops and positions held. This failure forced the German command to move in this sector to positional actions that lasted until early July.
In early July 1915, under the command of Field Marshal von Hindenburg, German troops launched a major offensive. His plans included a new assault and still unconquered fortress Osovets.
- Failing success artillery fire and numerous attacks, August 6, 1915 at 4:00 am, wait for the right wind direction, German forces used against the defenders poisonous gases. Gas masks defenders had not. According to eyewitnesses, by the action of gases grass turned yellow, the leaves on the trees folded and fell. Gaza have caused huge losses to the defenders, three companies of the regiment were killed fellowcountryman entirely in four other left about 100 people at three machine guns. Severely damaged and the residents of the surrounding villages.
- Confident that defended the fortress garrison was dead, the Germans went on the attack: 14 battalions - not less than 7000 foot soldiers. And suddenly, when the German infantry approached the progressive strengthening of the fortress, to meet them at the counter up the remaining defenders of the first line - a little more than 60 people. Counterattack looked scared: gas burns with mutilated faces, shook in rags, shaking with a terrible cough, spitting out pieces of light on the bloody tunic. Surprise attack, and type of attack plunged the Germans in horror. Several dozen half-dead Russian soldiers turned into a stampede of the 18th Infantry Regiment of the German Army. Attack handful of Russian infantry supported fortress artillery. In the history of this attack remained entitled "Attack of the Dead."
- Back in February of command, believing that requires almost impossible, to ask the defenders to hold out at least 48 hours.FORTRESS Osovets lasted SIX MONTHS !!! And unlike the other, no less heroic but more famous the Brest Fortress in the Great Patriotic War, the Germans Osovets not miss it !!! They still stuck there in the swamps, before the evacuation of the garrison and fortress undermining retreating Russian troops.
By August 1915, in connection with general changes on the front, a strategic necessity in the defense of the fortress lost its meaning. Therefore, the command of the Russian army has decided to discontinue the defense of the fortress and its garrison evacuated. August 18 began the evacuation of the garrison, which was held without panic, according to the plan. All that it was impossible to take out, as well as strengthening the survivors were blown sappers. During the retreat of Russian troops as possible, and organized the evacuation of the civilian population. The withdrawal ended August 22. August 25, German troops entered the empty ruined fortress.
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