Bergmann Offensive

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Bergmann Offensive Бергманнский прорыв
Date November 2, 1914 - November 16, 1914 Location Western Armenia Result Minor Ottoman victory
Belligerents
Ottoman Empire	Russian Empire
Commanders
Hasan Izzet Pasha	Georgy Berhmann
Strength
3rd Army	I Caucasian Army Corps
Casualties and losses
	40,000

v • d • e Caucasus Campaign Bergmann Offensive – Sarikamis – Ardahan – Van – Manzikert – Kara Killisse – Erzerum Offensive – Trebizond – Bitlis – Mush – Erzincan – German Expedition – Sardarapat – Abaran – Karakilisa – Baku

The Bergmann Offensive (Russian: Берхманнский прорыв) was the first engagement of the Caucasus Campaign. General Georgy Berhmann, who was the commander of the I Caucasian Army Corps took the initiative against the Ottoman Empire.^[1]

On November 15, he crossed border into enemy territory into the general direction of Koprukoy. On his right flank was a brigade under General Istomin that moved from Oltu in the direction of Id.^[1] On his left flank a Cossack division under Baratov moved into the Alashkert valley towards Yuzveran, after it crossed the Arax river.^[1]

In response the Ottoman 3rd Army went on a general counter-offensive.^[1] Contact was established on the 6th. ^[1] As a result Russian forces found themselves being threatened by an enveloping movement on both sides. Only quick arrival of Russian reinforcements saved the situation. The fighting finally died away on the 29th of November.^[1]

Russian losses were up to 40% and their morale was shaken. Meanwhile, Turkish morale was high. The success during this first engagement encouraged the Enver to his plan at Sarikamish.^[1]

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