My War Memories, 1914-1918
disliked waiting with full gas containers in the trenches for the wind.
The attack by the loth Army at Suwalki was a tactical success.
I do not know whether these attacks really helped the operations as a whole, but tactically they were correct and on that ground they seemed to be justified. More effective support of General von Mackensen's operations would be forthcoming when we ourselves were able to initiate an extensive movement against the enemy. This was impossible on the fronts occupied by the 9th Army, Gaflwitz's Army Detachment, and the 8th and loth Annies, and was only practicable north of the Niemen in Lithuania and Courland. At the end of March and beginning of April we had received from the Western Front the 3rd Cav. Div. and the Bavarian Cav. Div., and these had been sent to Gumbinnen, as the left wing of the loth Army was still very weak. These two divisions and the 6th Cav. Div., which was already stationed north of the Pregel, were to advance into Lithuania and Courland at the end of April, supported by the 6th, 36th and 78th Res. Divs, The Cavalry Divisions had been very carefully equipped for these operations. General von Lauenstein was placed in command here.
On April 27th our march into Lithuania and Courland began.
General von Lauenstein initiated the movement planned by the Commander-in-Chief in the East by marching in three columns on Shavli:
With the right column —Bavarian and 3rd Cav. Div. and '
36th Res. Div,—through Jurborg.
With the centre column—78th Res. Div.—to the great Taurog-
gen road.
With the left column —6th Cav. Div. and 6th Res. Div.—
from the neighbourhood of Memel.
On the evening of the 27th the 3rd Cav. Div. already stood south-east of the Tauroggen-Kielmy road not far from Skaud-vile, whilst the Bavarian Cav. Div. had got to Rossieny, The 6th Cav. Div. had some hard fighting east of the frontier and bad Hot made much progress by the 27th.
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