Russia knocks out Austria, 1914

[Adam Parsons]

In the early months of 1914, the Russian Army actually got some good early gains against Austria-Hungary, but was unable to exploit these gains due to French pleas for a second front against Germany. Because the Russians diverted their troops into several useless attacks against Germany, they lost the best possible time to crush Austria-Hungary early on.

So, suppose Nicholas II decides to ignore the French request and bulldoze Austria-Hungary, knocking them out of the war by April 1, 1915 or earlier. How does this affect WWI? Might it be enough to save Imperial Russia?

 

[Tetsu]

It's certainly possible. If Austria is knocked out of the war within a year, that means Russia can divert more troops to fight Germany and the Ottomans. It's just one less front to fight on, which is immensely helpful in a war like WW1.

As for the saving Imperial Russia part, it may be enough. If Russia has more troops to throw at Germany, I see no reason that the Entente couldn't win sooner, thus saving the monarchy.

 

[God_of_Belac]

It's hard to see how the battle of Lemberg could have been more decisive (something like 3/4 casualties, including prisoners, were inflicted on the Austrian forces). The POD would have to be a draw at Tannenberg, so German forces couldn't reinforce their Habsburg allies. Another battle in the winter could erase the Austrian armies covering the Carpathians, and by May 1915 the Russians are in Budapest.

Germany would sit behind its trenches and send lots of troops after them, but Italy would certainly enter the war and probably break through to Croatia, with Austria collapsing that badly. Bulgaria would remain neutral or even join the Allies to try and get Constantinople. If the latter, then Gallipoli succeeds and Russia can't be knocked out of the war, even if the Germans rescue Hungary.