The Russian winter has been cited as a factor which significantly contributed to military failures of several invasions of Russia. Common nicknames to this concept are General Frost, General Winter and General Snow. Another similar factor is "General Mud" (see "rasputitsa"). Significance of these factors has been criticized.
Read more about Russian Winter: Temperatures, Effects On Warfare
Famous quotes containing the words russian and/or winter:
“What man dare, I dare.
Approach thou like the rugged Russian bear,
The armed rhinoceros, or the Hyrcan tiger;
Take any shape but that, and my firm nerves
Shall never tremble. Or be alive again
And dare me to the desert with thy sword.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
“The change from storm and winter to serene and mild weather, from dark and sluggish hours to bright and elastic ones, is a memorable crisis which all things proclaim. It is seemingly instantaneous at last.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)