In order to avoid another long answer (IE Question 3--see note at bottom of this submitted essay), simply stated, the vital aspect of the Russian military system was the perfection of the Mobilization process. As early as the 1860s the Russians anticipated war with the Triple Alliance, and through the entire heightened awareness they were more than aware of the near two week advantage they forfeited to their enemy in regards to fully mobilization of their armies. The focal point of the MOB process was that any conflict would occur to Russia's west, and although the majority of their regular army forces were positioned there, almost all their reserve forces were strewn throughout the interior of the vast country--and the railroad system in place was in no way prepared to absorb the brunt of mobilizing the necessary forces quickly enough to prevent a deep penetration of enemy forces before the Offensive could begin.…
