One hundred years ago today the Siege of Przemysl began. Przemysl was a fortified city in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, located in what is today Southeast Poland, along the border with Ukraine. When the Russian forces of 300,000 soldiers advanced to Przemysl the city was being defended by 93,000 Austro-Hungarian soldiers and 45,000 local men forced into the defense of the city. Unlike the German army in Belgium, the Russian army did not have heavy artillery to smash the fortifications of Przemysl. The Russians hoped their superior numbers would be enough to overwhelm the defenders. For three days the Russians assaulted Przemysl with nothing to show for it but horrible losses. By the time the assault was called off the Russians suffered 40,000 casualties. The Russian strategy change from one of attack to a siege in the hopes of starving out the defenders of Przemysl. Conditions for the Austro-Hungarian soldiers and 18,000 civilians rapidly deteriorated and disease became rampant. The siege of city saw the first use of air mail in history, as messages, both military and civilian, were flown out of the city by airplane, balloons and even homing pigeons.
The siege would initially
end on October 11, 1914, as the Russian forces had to relocate to counter a Austro-Hungarian
offensive. This respite allowed the civilian population to be evaluated. But
the relieved would be short lived. The Russian army would return to lay siege
to the city again on October 31, 1914
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