Fallen Russian soldier whose face was eaten by rats or birds following the Kerensky Offensive, 1917.
Fallen Russian soldier whose face was eaten by rats or birds following the Kerensky Offensive, 1917. Today 107 years ago, on July 1, 1917, Russia launched its last offensive of the First World War in the Kerensky Offensive on the Eastern Front. . After millions of losses, shortages of everything and the February Revolution, the morale and discipline in the Russian Army was rock bottom. Following a trip to the frontlines, newly appointed Russian Minister of War Kerensky concluded the Russian soldiers needed inspiration; a boost of morale; a successful offensive. . An attack against the Austrians in Galicia was planned, with the city of Lemberg as the objective. 4 Russian Armies would attack 3 Austro-Hungarian Armies along a 200 km front. The Russian offensive would be spearheaded by their newly formed "Kornilov Shock Battalions". One of these units was the famous Women's Battalion of Death, led by Maria Bochkareva. . On June 29, 1917, the Russians began a bombardm...