which he could
retire in an emergency. Of the rivers that lay behind him--the
Wisloka, the Wistok, and the San--the first would be useful to
cover Brussilov's position at the western passes, but beyond that
he could not retreat without imperiling the whole Carpathian right
flank. It was on this very calculation that the German plan--simple
but effective--was based. The Russian grip on the Carpathians could
only be released either by forcing a clear road through any pass
into Galicia, or by turning one of the extreme flanks. Had the
Austrians succeeded in breaking through as far as Jaslo, Dmitrieff
would have been cut off and Brussilov forced to withdraw--followed
by the whole line. The same result would follow if a thrust from
the Bukowina succeeded in recapturing Lemberg. Both methods had been
attempted, and both had failed. Germany's overwhelming superiority
in artillery could not be effectively displayed in mountain warfare,
but Dmitrieff's position on the Dunajec offered an easy avenue of
approach.

At the eleventh hour Dmitrieff grasped the situation and applied
to Ivanoff for reenforcements. Owing to some blunder the appeal
never reached the Russian chief, and Dmitrieff had to do the best
he could. Nothing now could save his small force from those grim
lines of gaping muzzles turned against his positions. The overture
began on April 28, 1915, with an advance on the Upper Biala toward
Gorlice, by Von Mackensen's right. Here some minor attacks had been
previously made, and the gradually increasing pressure did not
at first reveal the intent or magnitude of the movement behind it.
Meanwhile the German troops about Ciezkovice and Senkova--respectively
northwest and southeast of Gorlice--were moving by night nearer to
the battle line. The Russian front line extended from Ciezkovice in
a southeasterly direction. Hence it soon became clear that Gorlice
itself was to be the main objective of the attack. A Russian official
announcement of May 2, 1915, boldly states:

"During the nights of April 30 to May 1 strong Austrian forces
opened an offensive in the region of Ciezkovice. Our fire forced the
enemy to intrench 600 paces in front of our trenches." Furthermore,
the Germans at the same time had directed artillery fire and bayonet
attacks against various points on the Rava, Pilica, Nida, and the
Dunajec. These, however, were merely movements aiming at diversion,
meant to mask the intentions of the main attack and to mi