Conrad von Hötzendorf, Chief of the Austro-Hungarian General Staff, Vienna, 1914. By the end of that year he had lost as many as one million men, much of his country's rolling stock, and the northeastern region of Galicia. His forces had also been defeated by Serbia three times.

Generalstabschef Conrad von Hötzendorf

Chief of the General Staff Conrad von Hötzendorf



Ch. Skolik jun.

Wien, 1914

I. Wallfischg. 11



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As Chief of the Austro-Hungarian General Staff, Franz Conrad von Hötzendorf was responsible for Austria-Hungary's war plans.

Conrad planned a war on two fronts, against both Serbia and Russia, but had variants as to which to strike first. In 1914 Austria-Hungary began by focusing on Serbia, then responded to Germany's request for help against Russia by shifting its Second Army from one front to the other, with disastrous results.

By the end of 1914, Conrad had been defeated in three invasions of Serbia, and his offensive against Russia in the Galician Battles of 1914. He had lost as many as one million men, much of his country's rolling stock, and the northeastern region of Galicia.

In 1915 he fought a mostly defensive war against Italy, and took part in the defeat in Serbia. He infuriated his allies and supporters when he subsequently invaded Albania.

In 1916, he failed to get German support for his Asiago Offensive against Italy. Although the Italians were driven back they held until they were relieved by Russia's Brusilov Offensive. As Conrad moved his forces to defend against the threat from the east, the Italian commander Luigi Cadorna launched the Sixth Battle of the Isonzo, the most successful of his Isonzo campaigns.

Conrad was relieved of his position as Chief of the General Staff by Kaiser Karl on March 1, 1917. He continued as a general and was, with Svetozar Boroević, a commander of the Austro-Hungarian offensive on the Piave River in 1918. The Germans hoped to tie down French and British troops on the Italian front, and prevent Italian troops from being sent to the Western Front. Conrad hoped for much more, more than his half-starved troops could provide.

National Affiliation: Austria-Hungary