Collision of Empires

Collision of Empires is the first major historical work on the Eastern Front during World War I since the 1970s. One of the primary triggers of the outbreak of World War I was undoubtedly the myriad alliances and suspicions that existed between the Russian, German, and Austro-Hungarian empires in the early 20th century. Yet much of the actual fighting between these nations has been largely forgotten in the West. Driven by first-hand accounts and detailed archival research, Collision of Empires seeks to correct this imbalance. The first in a four-book series on the Eastern Front in World War I, Prit Buttar's dynamic retelling examines the tumultuous events of the first year of the war and reveals the chaos and destruction that reigned when three powerful empires collided. A war that was initially seen by all three powers as a welcome opportunity to address both internal and external issues would ultimately bring about the downfall of them all.

Prit Buttar studied medicine at Oxford and London before joining the British Army as a doctor. After leaving the army, he worked as a GP. He is extensively involved in medical politics, both at local and national level. An established expert on the Eastern Front in 20th-century military history, his previous books include the critically acclaimed two-volume series on the siege of Leningrad: To Besiege A City (Osprey 2023) and Hero City (Osprey 2024). He now lives France.

List of Illustrations List of Maps Author's Note Dramatis Personae Introduction 1. The German War Machine 2. The Russian Steamroller 3. Austria-Hungary: the Other Sick Man of Europe 4. Over the Brink 5. The First Battles: Stallupönen and Gumbinnen 6. Crisis of Command 7. Tannenberg 8. The Illusion of Victory: Galicia, August 1914 9. The Battle for the Masurian Lakes 10. The Reality of Defeat: Galicia, September 1914 11. A Bloody Sideshow: The Serbian Front 12. Mud and Blood: Autumn in Poland 13. Lódz 14. The First Christmas 15. Disappointments and Illusions Appendix: Place Names Notes Bibliography Index