The Battle of Bolimov was an inconclusive battle between the German Ninth Army, led by General August von Mackensen, and the Russian Second Army, led by General Vladimir Smirnov. This attack was centered around the town of Bolimov in the plains to the west of Warsaw. The Battle of Bolimov is primarily remembered as the site of the German armies first extensive use of poison gas. Firing several thousand gas shells (xylyl bromide) was completely unsuccessful. The gas was blown back onto the German lines, it was also completely useless in cold temperatures, as it just fell harmlessly to the ground in cold temperatures. Because of the failed use of poison gas, the German attack was called off. The Russians then launched a number of heavy frontal attacks. The Russians lost 40,000 men due to heavy German artillery.