My War Memories, 1914-1918
measures were now taken for the demolition of the German railways and mines in the frontier districts. The G.O.C. of the 6th Corps district, in response to rny request, had approached several mining experts in his province, and asked their advice as to the best method of destroying the mines in Upper Silesia. The execution of the necessary measures was now decided on. Terror at once spread through the province. I had to make it impossible for the Russians to use the mines for a long time. Military interests made it imperative. Later on in the war the English destroyed the Rumanian oil-fields even more ruthlessly. Coal is of equally vital importance for waging war. As it happened, the opinion of a higher authority was taken, and it proved possible to modify the scheme of destruction somewhat.
The attitude of the Polish inhabitants of our frontier provinces was not conciliatory. They were very reserved and aloof. No clear-sighted man could have expected anything different.
In view of our inferiority in numbers, it was very important for the approaching decision that we should draw on the Prussian eastern fortresses and the various Corps Districts under our control for all such available troops and war material as could be utilized for active operations in the field. We had made a start with this system as far back as August, 1914, and in course of time we were able to form as large a number of divisions in the East out of Landsturm, Landwehr, and former fortress troops as General von Moltke had at his disposal for the Battle of Koniggratz. Later; these divisions were given numbers, just like the active divisions, but this did not change their special character. Of course, the demands made on these divisions, especially as regards fighting and marching, were not the same as those made on units composed of younger men; but this could not always apply in times of special stress. These troops did more than could reasonably be expected of them. They gave of their best in defence of hearth and home, wife and child.
The 8th Army, on the eastern frontiers of Prussia, had gradually been able to form several Landwehr divisions. From the garrisons of the Vistula fortresses and the Landsturm a
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