Download Russia in WWI – military and civilian hardships

Russia in WWI – military and civilian hardships
Another problem facing Russian military at the moment is the lack of
ammunition. Russian guns are sometimes limited to four shots per day
or less. Only 12% of the machine guns needed are available. Fuel, and
metals like copper and iron are scarce; because of this shortage of
metals, mills are finding it impossible to supply a sufficient amount
of bullets and bombs ordered by the Central War Industries Committee to
fight this war. At this rate, Russia will never even come close to
defeating any of her enemies.
Also, there is a very large shortage of barbed wire which is resulting
in many deaths of soldiers in the trenches because of the lack of
protection. Most of the time the trenches are flooded with water knee
deep, so it is very difficult for the soldiers to lie down or sit down
which again results in them getting shot or bombed. Many men are
wounded and the lack of transport is depriving them of getting any
medical support so again many are dying. Because of the
lack of ammunition, insufficient clothing and poor rations, the
soldiers are losing their courage and will to carry on with the
fighting. Unrest among the troops has developed and signs of mutinies
are evident as soldiers grow more and more tired of the war. Anti-war
propaganda has started among the troops.
The underdeveloped railways system is another problem which is adding
to Russia’s plight. The railway system is so underdeveloped that it
cannot handle the massive troop movements from one place to another.
There is also a shortage in railway transport, and due to this shortage
of transport for civilian purposes, such as the transportation of food,
a bread shortage has been caused in the towns. With this shortage has
come inflation and now the real value of wages has fallen dramatically.
Not only have the wages fallen but the food prices have risen almost by
500% A lack of food results from the peasants’ unwillingness to
sell their grains or other stocks with the fear that they will be sold
for cheap prices. This lack of goods has increased the prices because
there is a great demand for the goods but the shortage has caused the
prices to increase. Also, there is evidence of goods disappearing
which could be circulating around the still wealthy Russians classes
through the black market.