The Battle of Lodz was one of the most mobile and dramatic struggles of WW1.
At end of October 1914, after a unsuccessful offensive to Warsaw and Deblin, the German and Austro-Hungarian Forces withdraw to the German border. The "Russian steam-roller" can move westward.
Germans divide their forces - 5 divisions of second line leave to keep the front line. They will be supported by Austro-Hungarian 2nd Army, transfered from the Carpatian front. 7 divisions of first line, supported by two reserve corps from East Prussia and III Cavalry Corps from West, move to Torun (Thorn) area. This new 9th Army strikes the north flank of the Russian front.
The 1st Army is defeated near Wloclawek, and right wing of 2nd Army - near Kutno. 1st Army falls eastward, two corps of 2nd Army - to the south. Germans start to fill the appearing gap. "Durchbruch bei Brzeziny" (Breakout through Brzeziny) is beginning of this scenario. The German idea is to repeat Tannenberg. But the situation was very different comapred to 3 months earlier.
The Russian commander of 5th Army starts to organise big counterattack. His three corps - veterans of successful battles of Galicia and Vistula River - arrive from the south to rescue the threatened 2nd Army. The re1st Army groups near Lowicz, and starts to attack the German left wing.
