The Erzerum Offensive
after the entry of Bulgaria, then the British expedition in Mesopotamia, which by November had almost reached the walls of Bagdad, took up the task of relieving the Russians in the Caucasus. After this, however, the rdles were changed. Russia with her strength mobilized on the Asiatic front for the first time, and with a new and active commander at Tiflis in the Grand Duke Nicolas, was able not only to assume the offensive in Armenia, but by so doing to relieve the British force in Mesopotamia, which had now got into difficulties.
During December 1915 the Caucasus Army was considerably reinforced. Up to this time it had been composed as follows: the 1st Army Corps based on Sary-Kamish in the upper Araxes valley; part of the yet unformed 2nd Turkestan Army in the Olti depression; the 4th Army Corps (only up to half strength) in the Alashgert region; small detachments on the Black Sea coast, in North-west Persia and the Van vilayet. By Christmas, however, the 2nd Turkestans and the 4th Army Corps had been brought up to strength, the 4th Rifle Division had been added to operate in special regions, wherever needed, the Azairbijan detachment had been strengthened, and a new expeditionary force had been sent under General Baratoff to clear Central Persia of the Turks. Russia had had time to recuperate after the blows delivered against her the previous Summer, and had succeeded in equipping her Caucasian Army, and increasing it to 170,000 men. The Turks, on the other hand, were now at a considerable disadvantage. At the end of October there had been a re-grouping of their forces in Armenia. The British threat to Bagdad, and the increasing importance of Persia, caused the Turks
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