ver Vistula was regarded as a
feint at the city of Warsaw, the intention of which was to draw Russian
troops from their advance upon Cracow and distract attention from
efforts to establish a strongly fortified defensive line from Kalisz to
Cracow.

CHAPTER LXXI

FIGHTING AT CRACOW

On November 20, 1914, the Russians were before the outer line of
defenses of Cracow, with strong opposition to their further advancement.
Meanwhile they were pushing forward minor columns of Cossacks into the
passes of the Carpathian Mountains, intending that these should emerge,
if possible, upon the Hungarian plains in raids similar to those which
were made in the first Russian advance in September.

During the next few days following November 20, 1914, there was constant
and hard fighting in the vicinity of Cracow, the Austrians reporting
that they had taken three battalions of Russians prisoners. All reports
showed a stiffening of the Austrian line, while the energy of Russian
attacks was reduced by the diversion of troops to stem the Austrian
invasion by way of the Vistula.

The Austrians were obliged, however, a few days later, to evacuate Neu
Sandec, fifty miles southeast of Cracow, and an important railroad
junction of the River Dunajec and the main line to Cracow. The Russians
reported they took 3,000 prisoners and some machine guns. The capture of
Neu Sandec revealed a new Russian advance, threatening the right flank
of the Austrian army along the Carpathian Mountains. By this capture the
Austrians were deprived of an important railway into Hungary. In order
to stop this turning move it was necessary for them to weaken their
campaign north of Cracow.

In the Cracow region the Austrians advanced on the north to Pilica,
Wolbrom, and Miechow, about twenty miles from the Galician border. To
the east the Russians advanced to within twelve miles of the fortress.
In the fighting at Pilica and Wolbrom the Austrians claimed the capture
of 29,000 Russians.

In the latter part of November, 1914, the Russians were successful in
attack in Galicia along a line from thirty to sixty miles southeast of
Cracow, taking more than 7,000 prisoners, thirty cannon, and twenty
machine guns in one engagement. On November 29, 1914, the Austrians also
scored a victory on the front extending from Proszowicz to Onszreniawa,
fourteen miles northeast of Cracow, southward through Brzesko on the
Vistula to Bochnia and Adsniez.

General Radko Dmitr