Austria-Hungary abandons Przemysl

Germaniac

Donor
During the Vistula River campaign in late 1914 the KUK had relieved the first siege of Przemysl. However, after the Germans failed in their attemps to take Warsaw the KUK was forced to withdraw back to their starting lines in the Carpathians. In their retreat Conrad had the Fortress reoccupied and when the KUK pulled back, the siege was recommenced. Through the winter and early spring the KUK general staff launched repeated brutal and bloody assaults to relieve the fortress, sapping the KUK of whatever strength it had left, with little to no gain. By march the fortress would surrender.

What if the Austrians abandoned the fortress and kept the over 100,000 men back on the Carpathian lines through the winter. The Russian supply issue at this time was dire and Russian offensives, as per OTL, would likely not be successful with just the additional forces from the siege. Though the loss of the fortress may be a morale darkener for the KUK.

By spring and summer 1915 the Gorlice-Tarnow offensive is still likely to be launched, and there is no reason it wont be as successful as OTL since Russian forces besieging Przemysl were already dolled out among the front. The Austrians can recapture Przemsyl with little complications as per OTL. This prevention of the repeated Carpathian assaults AND the KUK retaining the stores, artillery, shells, and men that were wasted in Przemsyl could also lead to a KUK army in better position to remain at least proficient at holding territory into the Autumn and winter of 1915.

How do you think this would affect the rest of the war on the Eastern Front, the KUK armies, and Austria-Hungary in general?
 
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