Brusilov, Aleksey Alekseyevich

Brusilov, Aleksey Alekseyevich

▪ Russian general
born Aug. 31 [Aug. 19, Old Style], 1853, Tiflis, Russia
died March 17, 1926, Moscow
 Russian general distinguished for the “Brusilov breakthrough” on the Eastern Front against Austria-Hungary (June–August 1916), which aided Russia's Western allies at a crucial time during World War I.

      Brusilov was educated in the Imperial Corps of Pages, and he began his military career as a cavalry officer in the Caucasus. He distinguished himself in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–78 and was promoted to the rank of general in 1906. Upon the outbreak of World War I, Brusilov was given command of the Russian 8th Army, and he played a brilliant part in the Russian campaign in Galicia (autumn 1914).

      In the spring of 1916 Brusilov succeeded the elderly and irresolute general N.Y. Ivanov as commander of the four Russian armies on the southwest sector of the Eastern Front. From June 4, 1916, Brusilov led these armies, who were billeted south of the Pripet Marshes, in a massive attack against the Austro-Hungarian forces. Though they suffered heavy losses, Brusilov's forces by August had taken 375,000 Austrian prisoners (200,000 in the first three days of the offensive) and had overrun all of Bukovina and part of eastern Galicia. Largely because of this offensive, Germany was forced to divert troops that might have sufficed to secure a final victory against the French in the Battle of Verdun. The offensive had other beneficial effects for the Allies. Romania decided to enter the war on their side, and Austria had to abandon its assault in northern Italy. Brusilov's offensive produced no decisive results on the Eastern Front itself, however.

      Brusilov served briefly as commander-in-chief of the Russian armies from May 22 to July 19 (O.S. [June 4 to Aug. 1, N.S.]), 1917. Under the Bolshevik government he served as a military consultant and an inspector of cavalry from 1920 to 1924, after which he retired. His memoirs of World War I were translated in 1930 as A Soldier's Note-Book, 1914–1918.

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  • Brusilov, Aleksey (Alekseyevich) — born Aug. 31, 1853, Tiflis, Russia died March 17, 1926, Moscow, Russia, U.S.S.R. Russian general. He distinguished himself in the Russo Turkish War (1877–78) and was promoted to general in 1906. In World War I he led the Russian campaign in… …   Universalium

  • Alekseyevich — (as used in expressions) Balakirev Mily Alekseyevich Brusilov Aleksey Alekseyevich Bunin Ivan Alekseyevich Fyodor Alekseyevich Gagarin Yury Alekseyevich Ivan Alekseyevich Kropotkin Peter Alekseyevich Pyotr Alekseyevich * * * …   Universalium

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  • Russia — /rush euh/, n. 1. Also called Russian Empire. Russian, Rossiya. a former empire in E Europe and N and W Asia: overthrown by the Russian Revolution 1917. Cap.: St. Petersburg (1703 1917). 2. See Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. 3. See Russian… …   Universalium

  • World War I — the war fought mainly in Europe and the Middle East, between the Central Powers and the Allies, beginning on July 28, 1914, and ending on November 11, 1918, with the collapse of the Central Powers. Abbr.: WWI Also called Great War, War of the… …   Universalium

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