Interaction between the Troops of the Southwestern Front of the Russian Imperial Army during the Preparation for the Offensive Operation of the 1916 Summer Campaign

Abstract

The most important component of the preparation of the operations of the First World War (1914–1918) was the interaction between troops both in preparation and during operations. The organization of cooperation was aimed at the coordinated use and actions of all troops to achieve the objectives of the offensive operation of the Southwestern Front of the summer campaign of 1916, as defined by the Headquarters of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. The proposed brief study will show the role and importance of organizing interaction in the preparation of an operation for conducting combat operations by troops of armies, corps and divisions during subsequent operations. In addition, based on the historical information and combat documents provided, the basics and components of the organization of interaction between the troops of the 7th, 8th, 9th and 11th armies of the Southwestern Front are revealed. Examples of the organization of interaction between various military authorities are given (between the Headquarters of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief and the field administration of the Southwestern Front, between the field administration of the Southwestern Front and the headquarters of the armies of the front, between the headquarters of the armies of the front and the field administrations of corps and other formations and units that are part of them). Based on the conducted research, conclusions are drawn about the importance of interaction in the preparation of an operation, the techniques, methods used in this process, and the introduction of new methods to improve coordination in the actions of troops during practical work on its organization.