The Austro-Hungarian fortress of Przemyl in Galicia (present-day Poland) fell to Russian forces on March 22nd 1915 after a siege lasting more than four months.
A campaign against the Russians in the Carpathian Mountains had failed to ease the pressure on Przemyl, and direct attempts at relief were also unsuccessful.
Around 120,000 Austro-Hungarian soldiers were taken prisoner.
The winter fighting seriously weakened the Austrian position, but Przemyl was to be recaptured within three months.
In May 1915, the Germans led an assault between the towns of Gorlice and Tarnów, southeast of Krakow. It was the starting point for a series of summer offensives, leading to a major Russian withdrawal on the Eastern Front.
Przemyl fell to the Central Powers on June 3rd.
Sources: Wikipedia/various
Images courtesy of Imperial War Museum © IWM (Q 115398)
Posted by: Peter Alhadeff, Centenary News