The Extended Command on the East Front
The ist Infantry Division, which had already fought in the Carpathians in the winter of 1915, was now, by order of our G.H.Q., on its way through Hungary to this sector. I should have preferred to have it north of the Carpathians, as there was little chance that the Russians would attempt to envelop our extreme right wing from the Carpathians between our front and Moldavia. Their communications behind their line were much too bad, and this danger could never become serious, It would always be possible to meet it in time, despite the incredible railway communications in Hungary. But the Austrian General Staff, at Teschen feared a Russian invasion of Hungary, and their cries for help proved stronger than military considerations.
On the return journey to Brest-Litovsk, where we intended to remain for the present in our train, we discussed matters with General von der Marwitz and General Litzmann, who now commanded mixed German and Austro-Hungarian troops in Linsingen's Army Group. They regarded their position, if the Russians resumed their attacks—and this they anticipated— as very grave, basing their fears on their experiences in recent actions. Both General von der Marwitz and General Litzmann were splendid soldiers and fearless leaders who had the well-being and efficiency of their men very much at heart.
We heard the same story everywhere. The situation in the East remained as critical as ever.
I had set myself the double task of consolidating the front and training the troops of the Austro-Hungarian Army. What measure of success I should have was doubtfuL
II
Our headquarters in the train in Brest-Litovsk station was anything but ideal. We were really very poorly housed. There was no room to work. The big maps alone took a lot of space, to say nothing of our clerical staff. The way in which Lieut.-Colonel Hoffmann made the most of what he called his " salon "
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