Battle of Bolim贸w

Battle of Bolimov
Part of the Eastern Front during World War I

Eastern Front, 1915.
Date January 31, 1915
Location near Bolim贸w, Poland
Result Inconclusive
Belligerents
 German Empire  Russian Empire
Commanders and leaders
August von Mackensen General Smirnov
Vasily Gurko, VI Corps
Strength
German Ninth Army unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown 40,000 casualties

The Battle of Bolimov was an inconclusive battle of World War I fought on January 31, 1915 between Germany and Russia and considered a preliminary to the Second Battle of the Masurian Lakes.

Battle

The German Ninth Army led by August von Mackensen attacked the Russian Second Army, under General Smirnov, near the Polish village of Bolim贸w, lying on the railway line connecting 艁贸d藕 and Warsaw.

The Battle of Bolim贸w was the first attempt by the Germans at a large-scale use of poison gas; the several thousand gas shells they fired proved unsuccessful when the xylyl bromide鈥攁 type of tear gas鈥攚as blown back at their own lines.[1] The gas caused few, if any, casualties, however, since the cold weather caused it to freeze, rendering it ineffective.[1]

The failure of the xylyl bromide caused the German commanders to call off their attack. In response, the Russians sent 11 divisions, led by Vasily Gurko to launch a counterattack; German artillery repelled the Russian troops, who suffered 40,000 casualties.[1]

References