The Brusilov Offensive


I have always been puzzled by the fact that that battle, which to a large degree accomplished its purpose of damaging the Austrian war effort, ironically led to the undoing of the Russian Empire's own military.
How did such a thing happen?

God is subtle, but He is not malicious. (Albert Einstein)

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Nicholas is asked this very question by his mother in the film. His reply is that they took too many casualties--over one million men--so it was a "pyrrhic victory" (a victory that's almost worse than a defeat).

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