Sarikamish, Battle of

In World War I, Russian victory over Turkish forces December 1914–January 1915 which led to the collapse of the Turkish offensive in the Caucasus.

The Turkish offensive in the Caucasus was a bold scheme to advance from Erzerum via Sarikamish to Kars over a 3,000 m/10,000 ft mountain range in the depths of winter. Although by December 1914 they had reached Sarikamish, their progress was slow and they had been unable to bring up heavy artillery. This allowed the Russians to bring up reinforcements and guns, and they were attacked by the Turks 25 December, who took the town the following day. The Russians fell back then counterattacked, regaining the town. They pursued the Turks back on their tracks and the Turkish offensive collapsed.