Written in Blood

The Battles for Fortress Przemyl in WWI (Twentieth-Century Battles)

By: Graydon A. Tunstall Jr.

Narrated by: Douglas R. Pratt

Bloodier than Verdun, the battles for Fortress Przemyl were pivotal to victory on the Eastern Front during the early years of World War I. Control of the fortress changed hands three times during the fall of 1914. In 1915, the Austro-Hungarian armies launched three major offensives to penetrate the Russian encirclement and relieve the 120,000 trapped in the besieged fortress. Drawing on myriad sources, historian Graydon A. Tunstall tells of the impossible conditions facing the garrison: starvation, "horse-meat" diets, deplorable medical care, prostitution, alcoholism, dismal morale, and a failed breakout attempt. By the time the fortress finally fell to the Russians on March 22, 1915, the Hapsburg Army had sustained 800,000 casualties; the Russians, over a million. The fortress, however, had served its purpose. Tunstall argues that the besieged garrison kept the Russian army from advancing farther and obliterating the already weakening Austro-Hungarian forces at the outset of the War to End All Wars.

The book is published by Indiana University Press. The audiobook is published by University Press Audiobooks.

"Stimulating and informative…an extremely useful and informative work about the Eastern Front in World War I." (Journal of Military History)

"Must-have reference…rich with well-researched information…" (Roads to the Great War)

"A valuable and unique contribution…Tunstall is the only scholar who could have done it." (Dennis Showalter author of Armor and Blood: The Battle of Kursk)

©2016 Graydon A. Tunstall, Jr. (P)2021 Redwood Audiobooks

Not bad. Some pivotal inaccuracies

Like most WW I researchers in the west, I am just learning the pivotal events of the Eastern Front. For that the book is very good. However…

When describing the debate during this time period of the questionable value of fixed fortifications vis a vie technical advancements in artillery, the author claims that some of the vaunted Belgium fortresses surrendered to the German army without a fight This because of the power of the big Krupp manufactured siege gums.

I understand the point he is trying to make. The only problem with this example is, it is untrue. The Belgians fiercely and bravely defended their frontier fortresses incurring many casualties. The author does these Belgian heroes of freedom and justice a great disservice.