company is going off to Dziara, where a Russian attack is expected. We
are leaving the village.
_March 27._--The second company has come back. The Russians did not
attack. Jeschko took a scouting detachment and went off towards
Mahlsdorf. There he caught two soldiers of the 21st Regiment. I went
out riding beyond Riechwald. After dinner, work. All round there are
lots of crosses. On the bridge they were carrying a dead soldier; in
front of him was a heap of straw. Infectious disease is beginning.[9]
_March 28._--The 26th Regiment has been joined by the 59th.
A Divisional Order has been issued that too many men are
surrendering.[10] At 6 o'clock in the morning two soldiers brought in
by Jeschko were shot.[11] One was twenty-one, the other twenty-five.
They were buried near the road with a third, who was shot by a sentry
for not knowing the password. The first and second companies are
digging trenches. All day rain and snow. Work with the company till 3
o'clock. In the evening a lot of snow fell. At 8 o'clock in the evening
the company of Kahlen starts off from Ropica Russka, to scout--to find
out what regiments are in front of us.
In front of the Mahlsdorf crest we discovered that we had the 34th
and 248th Russian Regiments. The Russians use Czechs as scouts. The
Commander of the 10th Division has given a prize of 500 crowns to catch
a man.[12] Nestarowicz is ill; so is our doctor. The Russians every
day get bolder and more impudent. They know when dinner is sent to the
trenches and break out laughing, and before the signal is given they
shout out to the 36th Regiment: "Thirty-sixth, to your coffee!" They
also freely employ N.C.O's who know German. Not long ago a Russian
N.C.O. came up boldly to our wire entanglements of the 18th Regiment
and began abusing our men in German, telling them "they had better not
go catching crows but hide in the trenches at once." And indeed our
brave recruits diligently executed his orders.[13]
_March 29._--We are working at the trenches on the Magora. The scouting
detachment of the 59th Regiment sent to Mahlsdorf has lost 14 killed. A
stray bullet killed a N.C.O. of Sappers. In the evening we had dinner
together in honour of the arrival of Major Eisen.
_March 30._--Heavy snow is falling. In the morning, work. Cannonade was
to-day weak. After dinner, confession; nearly all the soldiers went.
_April 1._--In the morning, work. The Russian artillery is strongly
bombarding Sekov. Strict orders to be on the alert. After dinner our
artillery bombards Ropica. In Sekov the Russians have occupied the
bridge, which was guarded by the Imperial Rifles. Meisler is promoted
to the Second Rifle Regiment. Wittner is going off to hospital.[14]
_April 2._--In the morning we dig trenches towards Dziara. Two of our
aeroplanes circle over the Russian trenches. Above Gorlice, there is a
heavy artillery duel.[15] A splendid day. About 5 o'clock three Russian
shrapnels burst over one of our aeroplanes, but it fortunately got
away. In the evening Jeschko is again off to Mahlsdorf with his scouts.
I very much want a drink, but there is no water, nor beer nor wine.[16]
_April 3._--We are digging trenches. After dinner we were free. A
magnificent day. Winternitz has brought champagne, cakes, wine ... and
oranges. In the evening we all met at the doctor's. There was a sudden
alarm.
_April 4._--At 3.45 a.m. we marched out of Riechwald. At Dukla there
was a strong artillery duel. We go through Laszenian and Lovica to
Prislak. Very warm. Impassable marshes. We met Major Braunlich of the
Second Rifle Regiment. I had dinner with him. We had only just finished
our soup when the order came to go over our positions with Silberbauer.
In the wood I parted with the Major. We came on a post where there
were a colonel, major, captain and a lieutenant. They entertained us
hospitably, but all were anxious for peace.[17] In the evening we
came to the trenches. We are working hard. There is water everywhere.
As soon as you think of lying down there comes the order to go on.
All are discontented. We marched up to the knees in mud. On the road
we received letters. Mary hopes I will have a pleasant Easter. I was
so tired I could not move a yard. We forded a pretty deep brook. One
soldier, while crossing, sprained his leg. At 3 o'clock in the morning
we reached Kwieton. I drove out the bearers and slept on a stretcher.
_April 5._--I cannot stand on my legs, and throw away my socks. I and
the Staff Captain have got a rather nice room. They say that the
Russians at Gorlice wanted a three days' truce,[18] but it was not
granted. In the evening there was heavy musketry fire. One hundred
yards from us a house is on fire. The machine gunners of the 59th
Regiment have lost a lot of saddles and harness. At 10 o'clock there
comes the news that the Russians are repulsed.
_April 6._--Splendid day. We were again ordered to join the 8th I.T.
Division as reserve. They have brought a machine which destroys.... To
it were tied an old man and a ten-year-old boy. The boy had eyes like
a hawk; he knows men of all ranks and puts all the work on the old
man. There were salvos of artillery. In the evening a hundred yards
off us the house with our machine guns is set on fire. The ammunition
blows up; the soldiers, barefoot and without uniform, rush out into the
marsh. One soldier and a lot of harness were burned.[19]
_April 7._--At 4 a.m. there is an alarm. We put our bags on a cart. We
had a rest at Rona. We spent the night with a Jew. Two pretty Jewesses
offered their services. Ludwig sings, after which he throws out of
the house the Honved Staff Corporal, who was here drinking champagne.
Before this we met in the village a pretty Pole. There were Honveds,
who are worse than Cossacks.[20] In November the Jew entertained here
a Russian General and his staff. The Polish lady entertained us with
cakes, and even knows German.
_April 8._--After a wretched night in the Jew's house we occupied some
trenches above Cieszkowice. We are relieving the Honveds. I met by
chance Lieutenant Spalen. I was very glad to see him. The trenches are
very good and dry. The Russians are nine hundred yards off. We have in
front of my squad three machine guns. In the evening they open fire on
us in honour of our arrival.
_April 9._--At 2 a.m. a Russian scouting party and two squads came out
of the wood. At 4 our machine guns fired on them. We were exchanging
shots the whole day.
_April 10._--The Russians get their breakfast earlier than we do. In
the evening they attacked to our left, where they set a house on fire.
It is very dull; I have a cold and want to sleep. The Russians keep
throwing earth straight into my beer; they shoot so well at my mud hut.
At night I send out scouts.
_April 11._--Life goes slowly. We got newspapers a week old and I read
them diligently all through. The Russians fire now and then.
_April 12._--The day has gone rather quietly. The 4th Company has taken
prisoner a Russian deserter, a Jew.[21]
_April 13._--There are lots of wounded in the 2nd and 4th Companies. At
11 p.m. the Russians attacked the 80th Honved Regiment to the left of
us, but were beaten off.
_April 14._--At 5 a.m. the Russians attacked the 56th Regiment on our
left flank. They took prisoner a lieutenant, commanding the company,
and about thirty privates. Our artillery, however, drove them out of
our trenches.[22]
_April 15._--The whole day we were exchanging shots. It was a simply
hellish night. The Russians at midnight made six attacks. The Russian
heavy mortars threw about 150 shells at a copse not far from my squad.
Our artillery replied. The attack is chiefly directed against the 80th
Regiment and part of our company, where two huts were smashed. Two men
wounded.
_April 16._--A recruit named Szebek was killed close to the trench. He
was carrying wood. In the evening we put up a wire entanglement and
took prisoner a Russian of a scouting party, who came too near to our
wire entanglement.
_April 17._--At 3 a.m. a Russian scouting party tried to get through
our wire entanglements, but was observed and beaten off. In the evening
another strong artillery duel. We are improving our trenches.
_April 18._--We are almost all ill. The Russians worry us all day.
No one dares to show himself in the communication passage, otherwise
bullets whistle over our head.[23] We are making wire entanglements.
_April 19._--The morning was quiet. At mid-day there began a strong
cannonade by our artillery. The Russians replied with only a few shots.
A Russian aeroplane. Towards evening the Russian machine guns again
fire on my house. We were to be relieved. The order was issued, but has
been cancelled. We are waiting for the 9th marching battalion, which
ought to arrive about now.
_April 20._--A normal day. The 9th marching battalion arrived and
brought us 54 men.
_April 21._--We were relieved by the 90th Magyar Foot Regiment. Awful
disorder. In the evening we slept in Cieszkowice. The Russians, as we
march off, show they know what is happening.
_April 22._--Nearly the whole day quiet. I sleep on a sofa.
_April 23._--They say that we shall be put in reserve. What a long time
they have left us here!
_April 24._--They say that German regiments are coming.[24] At Gribow a
Russian airman dropped a bomb on the station. At night there was a lot
of shooting in the trenches.
_April 25._--Lots of aeroplanes. The Russian cannon and machine guns
are firing at our airships. I am entertaining Spalen. He says that on
one of the lines a Honved battalion has communication with a Russian.
The Russians send champagne and caviare. I myself saw the Russian
soldiers and ours walking about together between the trenches, the
distance being not more than 300 yards. Three German batteries have
arrived. They say that we are going to pass to the offensive.
_April 26._--In the morning and afternoon, work with the recruits.
The German General was surprised that we had not taken the offensive
earlier. I have changed my quarters and am sleeping in a bed. In the
evening there was a strong cannonade. The windows shook. Sleep was out
of the question.
_April 27._--In the morning it rained. Orders to march at mid-day;
cancelled. The German Guard is marching. They are going in the
direction of Bartieczew. There are already some wounded at the bridge,
for the Russian artillery hits the columns, which scatter over the
slopes. Our artillery replies. In the evening we go into reserve.
_April 28._--In the morning we get up late. Two German aeroplanes are
reconnoitring the ground. Two of our companies are to attack, the third
and fourth in reserve. I sleep very badly in a mud hut.
_April 29._--Katz is ill. A great attack is in preparation. Six corps
of the German Guard have come from France, to our part of the front.
The post is stopped; writing is forbidden; my poor Mary!
_April 30._--We are drawn up in attacking order opposite Rzepeinik.
Four hundred of our cannon thunder against the heights at Gollanka.[25]
At 9 o'clock in the evening we cut through our wire entanglements. The
1st and 2nd company go forward to the attack, and we behind them in
reserve. We lose connexion. The trenches are empty; there is no one
there.[26] At last, after three-quarters of an hour, we find other
trenches. We have advanced 1-1/2 kilometres. We entrench ourselves.
Katz wants us to entrench in the open in front of the wood, but I
advise on the edge of the wood as the enemy's artillery cannonades us
on our flank.[27] We have scarcely begun entrenching ourselves when
heavy Russian mortars open fire on us. That night was awful. I sit with
Janikowski (my orderly); no one speaks. We press our backs against the
clay dug-out. The side of the trench is an admirable defence from the
firing. The shrapnels burst all round us, lighting up the surroundings
with a hellish fire. Janikowski shuts his eyes and does not want to
look. I try to begin talking. The clay keeps on crumbling into the
trench from the impact of the air. I think of every one at home. I
think of Mary. I think of the action of shells and wonder how it was
possible to invent such a terrible thing. It is dawning. Thank God. The
shells no longer shine up in the darkness and do not seem so terrible.
Now our two batteries have begun to talk. Beneath me I hear soldiers
talking. They want to get breakfast. The Muscovite has, perhaps,
stopped already. I remain silent. They get me beams to cover my trench
in case the Russians should think of bombarding us again. I go off to
sleep.
_May 1._--About 6 I woke up. Janikowski has made some coffee. Where
he got it is for me a mystery. I stretch myself and feel altogether
knocked up, as my legs were higher than my head. Our artillery thunders
in salvos all round. We wait. At 11 o'clock the guard regiment with
the 21st is to go to the attack. It is already mid-day. It is only now
that musketry fire has suddenly begun. Our men are talking. The Russian
cannon fire straight on to us. We have to go forward in the direction
of Rzepeinik. It is in the valley in front of us. My squad has three or
four men crawling forward. The Russian shrapnel bursts a few yards off
us. I and Katz go to the left. The bullets whistle past us. Our people
are pressing the Russians on the right flank. After two hours we all
go forward. In front of us the village of Rzepeinik is in flames. The
21st Regiment has had enormous losses. We receive orders to take the
southern slope of the hill from Kazalow. The Russians fire on our flank
from the left of Gollanka. The hillock is taken. We have only two or
three wounded. I sleep in a hut in front of which are our trenches.
_May 2._--At 8 a.m. orders to march. With the 2nd Rifle Regiments we go
up through the wood on Dobrotyn, Hill 517. We come under fire of the
Russian artillery. We have to go forward as quick as we can. We march
in column. One shell burst on the first column and knocked out 8 men--2
killed, 4 seriously wounded, 2 slightly wounded. A volunteer is killed.
We go forward at a run. The shrapnel bursts behind us. We several times
march forward round Hill 517. In the end we entrench for the night.
_May 3._--Morning. We move forward as the reserve of the I T Division.
Three short advances and then an order came to take Hill 417 (Obzar)
with the Rifles. It is 3 o'clock already. We turn from the road into
the wood. We are to attack at night. At 6 o'clock we are ready. We go
round the wood. It begins to get dark. The 3rd company has to cover
a battalion on its left. We lose connexion with the front line. Katz
runs back and I come out on to the road. Katz is unnerved. He has lost
connexion. He wants to lead his company from behind. I run forward to
Katz and in person order the company to disperse into attack order and
advance up the hill. In front of us are our sentries. I meet the squad
of Ensign Minster. I take it with me. By this time we are come up to
the reserve company of Canicani. I determine to attack along the road.
Canicani goes first. We make our way for a whole hour parallel with the
crest of the hill. It is dark. Left of us the houses are on fire, where
the Russians were in the morning. We have certainly gone forward a
long way, and the Russian left flank is able to turn us. We turn back.
Midnight. We want to stay on the road in the wood. We have found a
company of the 18th Regiment to the left, and to the right is the 80th.
We entrench.
_May 4._--Three a.m. Obzar is in our hands. We may expect a Russian
artillery attack. We entrench ourselves on the Obzar Hill. In a hut by
the road they have got us breakfast. I entrench myself with the chief
of scouts, Altman, who was a volunteer from Liebertz. At 11 o'clock we
get wine and something to eat. Katz and Hoffmann go off to hospital.
Lieutenant Kahl takes over the company. At 5 a.m. we are relieved by
the 98th, and go in the direction of Wyzjowa, Hill 419. Between Obzar
and Wyzjowa we entrench for the night.
_May 5._--The Prussian Guard is attacking to the right of us. All round
huts are burning. The Russian batteries fire past us. Our batteries
are going off to their positions. Behind, one catches sight of a group
of cavalry. We bivouac in a courtyard. The second company of Canicani
sends out sentries towards Wyzjowa. What is Mary doing? May is the
month of love, and my dear one is asleep at home. Shall I return? I
believe, I believe; it is by belief that I live. We have taken prisoner
a Russian N.C.O., a gunner.
_May 6._--Alarm at 4 a.m. We march in the advanced guard and are to
go to the river Wislok. With fifteen men I go scouting, direction of
Wyzjowa, Dembow and Blazkow, or rather south of Blazkow, Hill 291. We
are to reconnoitre the course of the river Wislok to see if the enemy
is there. I go with Polnerycz; he goes off a little to the north. We
get to Czerinne. In the morning there were Cossacks here everywhere.
Every one is afraid of the Germans.[28] On the road, we buy some eggs.
We got to the top of the hill, and in front of us lay the Wislok. We
could not advance further. German scouts. The Russian artillery is
cannonading us from the opposite heights. I and my men look for cover
in a deep ditch. Only two go forward on their knees up the hill, and
keep a look out; two I send to a hut to cook some potatoes. Columns are
moving along the road to Blazkow. I think it is our battalion coming
up. I send two men to the village and meanwhile read the newspaper. At
my order the thinned ranks go forward. God of Mercy have mercy on us. I
wonder who of us will survive. Two o'clock. We eat some potatoes. The
battalion is in the village. I go forward to it. We got there safely.
In the village two of our batteries are taking up position. We get some
dinner. Unexpectedly there arrive two civilians. I thought I knew one
of them. Just then he came up to me and said in pure German, "Sir, I
have the honour to report myself from captivity." It was Tandler of
my squad, who with Palme, of the Rifles, was taken prisoner by the
Russians in December and escaped. They were disguised as Poles. Tandler
spoke Bohemian well, and the Russians took him for a Pole. The other
pretended to be dumb. The schoolmaster of the village of Blazkow helped
them. The first company went forward towards the river. At night we
were to attack the heights beyond the river. The Russians have burned
the bridges. We must ford the river. I left my knapsack in the kitchen
and took with me only my field glasses, ... spade and revolver. At 12
o'clock we get up, have a meal and drink black coffee. We come to the
river, the 4th company in front, at 2 a.m. The road was very dusty.
Behind us a Russian shell set the hut on fire. Our 4th company arrived
at the burned bridge. Just then we came under a rain of bullets. All
lay down. Next to me was Sub-Lieutenant Bader. I call Kahlen and want
to give orders but it is no use. We run along the marsh to the bank
of the river; I see its shining surface. Just one plunge forward and,
with the name of God, we are in the water. Some fall behind in the
water. I see that the copse on the opposite bank is full of our men
and hear the rear ranks coming through the river. About 600 yards from
us a hut was set on fire, and lit up the house to the right. We are
going towards the flaming hut. The sub-lieutenant doesn't want to go
forward, saying that he has no orders. I lost him. Our right flank is
already engaged. We hear a Russian machine gun. I send an orderly to
the left and want to know who is there, as so far there is not a sound
on that side. We run forward about 300 yards and begin going up the
hill. At 100 or 115 yards in front of us we see the trenches. I don't
know whether they are Russians' or ours. The firing does not slacken.
If the Russians have gone, then they may come back. "Forward," I shout,
"first battalion, forward, hurrah," but no one wants to move. All our
men turn to the left, and no one listens to me. Only when I repeat the
order and explain that there are very few Russians, they go forward.
Three or four Russians are still firing; the rest throw away their guns
and throw up their hands, about seventy. I leave four men with them and
go forward. To the left of us the Russian machine guns are firing on
our flank. We are joined by a company of the 2nd Rifles. I direct them
quickly to the left, where I see flashes of musketry fire. Myself I go
at a quick pace to the hill. I see that the Russians are returning
and can easily turn our 4th company. Quickly forward. It is sad to
think of so many lives. The will of God be done. Just then I heard from
behind shouts of hurrah and bullets whistling. This was the reserve
of the 98th Regiment, which was going to attack the Russians whom we
had already taken prisoners, and took us for retreating Russians. They
fire at us with machine gun. I shout out, use my whistle and at last
succeed in stopping the fire. I look round to the left and see that
Captain Tezera coming up. I am very tired, tortured with thirst and can
hardly stand on my legs. With a gesture I explain to him the position
of affairs to the left. He is wounded in the hand. Our men quickly
entrench on the hill. Czwanczara takes me to a hut and makes some
coffee. They now suggest that I should go to the first-aid point. I am
in the village of Bukowa. I wait for Janikowski with clean linen, so as
to change. The Russian shrapnels are bursting in Bukowa, above which
are our trenches. After paying the hostess I go to look for the doctor.
Everywhere there is a mass of wounded, ours and the Russians. Some dead
Russians lie on the road. In the hut I happen to meet our major. I tell
him that I am going off. He seems very annoyed, and says that he has
no one to replace me. The doctor of the 2nd Rifles looked me over. He
was anxious about my lungs, otherwise it was simply fatigue and a bad
cold. At the first-aid point there were a mass of wounded; lots of them
ours. I met Janikowski. I heard from him that among the wounded were
Boguslaw, Minster, Klein, Tepser, Werner, Silberbauer, seriously; and
killed Radlenbacher, Gezl, Scoutmaster Malina, and Altman. The field
hospital was in the school. There were many wounded in head and chest
and stomach. I slept with the slightly wounded, and had a fairly good
night.
_May 8._--We went by cart to Tuchow. The road was broken up. We stopped
in Jedlowa. I had a talk with the commander of the corps, Kraliczek.
After dinner we arrived in Tuchow. The bridge had been burned by the
Russians. Lots of houses had been smashed by our artillery.[29] There
were thousands of wounded lying there. Colonel Szeol of the 21st told
me of the fighting in Serbia where he was earlier with the 79th.[30]
He is a Czech. Boguslaw is angry because they won't allow us to bury
Silberbauer, in case of his death, in the garden of the estate, where
many Russians were wounded. In the town nothing was to be bought.
_May 9._--They have brought in lots of wounded. In the evening it
turned out that there were 600 new wounded. I wrote to Mary.
_May 10._--Slept well, and had a walk in the town. Appetite returned.
_May 11._--We were invited to supper by the staff doctor. To-day there
arrived sisters of mercy and with them a captain, under whose orders
they were. The wife of the doctor, who is in prison in Russia, is
living with the captain, as husband and wife; rather early.
_May 12._--They promised us a cart from the corps field train, but it
went off under our noses. Luck brought us a Jew from Sanc with a trap.
We got off through Ryplica, Jedlowa and ... to Wielopole.
_May 13._--Got up at 6. The cart was already at the door. Our men are
already beyond Rzeszow. At 8 p.m., very tired, we reached Rzeszow.
Everywhere we could get bread, rolls, etc. They say the Russians have
sent off from here lots of prisoners (to Russia).
_May 14._--Got up at 6. Travelled very fast, but in spite of a
four-hour drive did not catch any one up. We dined in despair, waiting
for our servants. Only towards evening to our joy we found them at
last. We travelled on; the springs of our cart broke. In the evening we
catch up the field train. Lieutenant Koblentz has been killed by a shot
in the mouth. Lieutenant Szipdelarz has been wounded in the leg.