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What if instead of attacking Italy near Asiago, Conrad was persuaded to launch an attack against the Russians? I am assuming that German forces in the area would be assisting, adding to the combat power of the Austrians. So would this attack have made a difference to how the year played out on the eastern front? Could the Austrians then have convinced Falkenhayn to release some of the reserves that he was being so tight-fisted with?

The obvious benefits for the Austrians include not having a reduced force to fight with, being on the attack means they can concentrate and dictate the battle instead of having to react to a disaster/excellent tactics of Brusilov. Also being the attack makes it somewhat more difficult for mass surrenderings that plagued the Austrian defense against the Russians. This is not to say that they won't happen, but that it is less likely to happen as the opportunities might not be as favorable to surrender. Of course deserters might give away the offensive, which makes things harder, but if the Germans are used as the shock troops/spearhead, then some of that particular problem is reduced.

However there are consequences for the Austrians in Italy. By not chewing up Italian units in the Asiago offensive, the next Italian offensive might come at an inopportune time during the East Front battle. On the plus side Romania is likely not to jump in without the massive Russian success, but at the same time, all the captured grain and oil is not available to the Central Powers, that is unless the Romanians decide to throw in against the Russians, which may happen if they consider Russia to be a lost cause.


Overall, I am going to count this as a net plus for the Central Powers, but the likelyhood for Conrad being convinced that this would be the better choice is unlikely. Thoughts?
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