Why do I smile at my phone and then get sad when nobody texts me?

Is this real?

https://discord.com/channels/484546513507188745/484571108885135361/1391406539931127951

Ranger Suárez de los Filis de Filadelfia es uno de los lanzadores fijos, quien será llamado a pitchar por el equipo de la liga Nacional en el Truist Park de Atlanta..!

2/5 🧵

Por otro lado, Eugenio Suárez será llamado como suplente de la tercera base en la misma liga..!

3/5 🧵

El caso menos sólido, pero posible, es el de José Altuve. El pequeño gigante comenzó una temporada lenta pero ha elevado sus pergaminos para ser llamado por la liga Americana..!

4/5 🧵

Esto y mucho más en #InLeo, mediante crónica escrita para
@FullDeportes, dentro de la blockchain de #Hive en el enlace:

5/5 🧵 👇

https://inleo.io/@fermionico/phoenix-filadelfia-y-houston-consolidando-estrellatos-espeng-opinion-2ka

Part 1/13:

The Turning Point of 1915: A Tragedy Unfolds on the Eastern and Western Fronts

Over the past few months, the world has witnessed the brutal realities of the battlefield across various fronts in the First World War. Battles have resulted in both glimmers of victory and devastating failures. Yet, with the arrival of the new year, 1915, a catastrophic event is set to unfold—a complete annihilation of an entire army, a scenario never before seen in the war's history.

A Brief Reflection on the Christmas Truce

Part 2/13:

Last week, during the holiday season, soldiers on the Western Front spontaneously paused their fighting in what became famously known as the Christmas Truce. Soldiers from opposing sides emerged from their trenches, exchanged greetings, and celebrated Christmas together, bringing a rare moment of peace amid the chaos of war. However, these fleeting moments of camaraderie were followed by renewed fighting as the front lines erupted back into conflict. The ongoing tension and renewed offensives marked yet another cycle of stalemate, typical of trench warfare.

The Quiet Eastern Front and the Reorganization of Forces

Part 3/13:

In contrast, the Eastern Front remained eerily silent—almost too quiet. Both the German and Russian armies, along with Austria-Hungary's forces, were busy reorganizing their troops for the battles ahead. To the northeast of Turkey, in the rugged highlands of the Caucasus, Ottoman soldiers braved icy weather to confront Russian forces, setting the stage for a significant yet tragic confrontation.

The 'Champagne Offensive' and Its Futile Nature

Part 4/13:

A major development this week is the ongoing French military operation known as the 'Champagne Offensive', now into its second week. This offensive epitomizes the typical attritional tactics employed during the war—a relentless barrage of artillery targeting key German positions, followed by small-scale assaults aimed at capturing trenches or positions. However, history has shown that such tactics often lead to staggering casualties with minimal territorial gain. French General Joseph Joffre's forces launch these attacks primarily because the Germans hold onto a substantial portion of France's industrial heartland and are dangerously close to Paris—just about 60 kilometers away.

Part 5/13:

The French, unable to mount a purely defensive stance, resort to continuous assaults despite the recurring cycle of gains and losses. Thousands of soldiers die for mere meters of ground, illustrating the tragic and seemingly pointless sacrifices on the Western Front. These persistent 'breakthrough' attempts serve to sustain morale but serve little strategic purpose, often resulting in futility and death for those involved.

The Economic Dimension: Britain’s Blockade and Its Effects

Part 6/13:

While the battlefield sees relentless trench warfare, a quieter yet equally impactful aspect of WWI operates behind the scenes—geopolitical economics. Britain, attempting to replicate its earlier naval blockade tactics from the Napoleonic Wars, sought to cut off German exports, believing it would weaken the German war effort.

However, this strategy proved fundamentally flawed. After halting German trade, Britain expected chaos akin to popular uprisings or economic collapse. Instead, the German economy quickly adapted, shifting swiftly to wartime production without sacrificing quality. By 1915, Germany’s economy was thriving more than many of its allies, despite the blockade.

Part 7/13:

Furthermore, Britain’s blockade, while intended to suffocate Germany, did not entirely prevent imports through neutral ports such as those in the Netherlands, due to legal restrictions and international maritime laws. The blockade's real consequence was an exacerbation of resource shortages in Britain, fueling resentment and portraying Britain as a villain in the minds of many Europeans, even in circumstances outside their control.

The Conflict in the Caucasus: Ottoman versus Russian Forces

Amidst the Western stalemate and economic skirmishes, the war in the Caucasus reaches a boiling point. The Ottoman Empire, under the command of Minister of Defense Enver Pasha, launches an ambitious and ill-fated offensive into the Russian-occupied highlands around the city of Sarykamysh.

Part 8/13:

This operation, led by Pasha—a proponent of modernizing Ottoman ambitions—aimed to reestablish Turkish dominance in the region and foster a sense of national identity. Pasha believed that a victorious campaign could rally regional populations, especially minority ethnic groups oppressed by Russia for over a century. His reasoning was that an Ottoman victory would ignite patriotic fervor and support.

However, the campaign's execution was marred from the outset. Planned during winter, with harsh weather, snow-bound roads, and inadequate supplies, the offensive faced immediate logistical failures. Ottoman troops, numbering over 150,000, faced extreme cold, starvation, and exhaustion. The strategic importance of the region was overstated, and the terrain was unsuitable for conventional warfare.

Part 9/13:

Despite the initial assault on December 29, the Ottoman forces suffered severe setbacks. They made no significant progress into the Russian-held city of Sarykamysh, lost nearly half their troops, and became overwhelmed by Russian reinforcements. The Ottoman army's moral and physical condition deteriorated rapidly, culminating in a disastrous retreat beginning January 4, 1915.

The Catastrophic Losses and the Failure of the Ottoman Offensive

The scale of Ottoman casualties was staggering. Records indicate that out of approximately 95,000 soldiers involved, only around 18,000 survived from the original force—a casualty rate of over 80%. Many soldiers succumbed not in combat but from the harsh winter, exhaustion, and exposure before even reaching the battlefield.

Part 10/13:

Enver Pasha’s strategic miscalculations and relentless push despite mounting losses resulted in a military catastrophe. His refusal to halt or retreat in the face of clear signs of failure led to a complete annihilation of his forces and the loss of countless lives.

By early January, Pasha’s commanders recognized the untenable situation, yet he persisted in ordering continued attacks. This stubbornness allowed Russian forces to tighten their encirclement, and by January 4, the Ottoman army was in full retreat, with some units surrendering en masse or risking total destruction.

Part 11/13:

Statistically, the campaign was devastating: out of 95,000 soldiers, fewer than 20,000 returned, with the majority dying from exposure or being killed in action. This defeat marked a significant turning point in Ottoman military efforts and highlighted the destructive folly of Pasha’s ambitions.

Reflection: The Costs of War and Leadership Failures

The catastrophic failure at Sarykamysh underlines the tragic toll of war—losses measured not just in land or strategic gains but in human lives. It also exemplifies the perils of overconfidence, misjudged strategies, and underestimating the harsh realities of nature and logistics.

Part 12/13:

Enver Pasha, the architect of this disastrous campaign, remains a controversial figure. His pursuit of Ottoman modernization and national renaissance at the cost of thousands of soldiers' lives exemplifies the risks of aggressive unilateral decision-making. The long-term consequences are grim: after the war, approximately one-quarter of the Turkish population perished, much of it due to the policies and actions stemming from his leadership.

Looking Ahead: An Uncertain Future

Part 13/13:

As 1915 progresses, the outcome of these campaigns remains uncertain. The stalemates on the Western Front, the strategic failures in the East, and the economic repercussions of blockades continue to shape a war that shows few signs of ending soon. The tragic human cost accumulates with every failed assault and misguided initiative, emphasizing the futility and devastation of this unprecedented global conflict.

If you'd like to explore more about Enver Pasha's role in dragging the Ottoman Empire into this war, click here to watch our detailed episode. Don't forget to like us on Facebook to stay updated on more fascinating history content, and subscribe for weekly insights.

Until next week, stay safe and remember the profound human costs behind these historical events.