Warsaw, Russian Northwestern Front Army Command.
"General, General Samsonov called. They have arrived at Tannenberg. However, German military has deployed heavy troops at Tannenberg. But General Samsonov claimed that Tannenberg can be captured within two days and the road to Königsberg can be opened. "An officer reported to Ivan? General Gylinski.
"Well, we have advanced dozens of kilometers in two days. 2nd Army Corps's combat effectiveness is still relatively strong." General Ivan? Gylinski nodded, his face full of approval.
"Tell Samsonov that Tannenberg is an important strategic point. We must capture it and open the way to Königsberg. As long as we capture Tannenberg, Königsberg can defeat it in one battle." Ivan? General Gylinski seems very confident about this.
"Yes, General." The officer immediately went to send Telegram.
"After capturing Tannenberg, the East Prussia battle can come to an end. Next, if we capture Königsberg, there will be no problem. If we can capture the entire East Prussia, then the threat of Germany to the Empire will be eliminated. "The next step is to launch an attack on Berlin and completely defeat Germany!" Ivan? General Gylinski stood in front of the map and was silent for a long time. He thought a lot, thinking about Russia winning this battle. However, all this seemed like a daydream to him.
On August 19, after Russian 2nd Army Corps advanced to Tannenberg, General Samsonov issued an order to stop the attack.
"Let each division begin to rest and attack Tannenberg early tomorrow morning. Before sunset, I want to see Double-Headed Eagle Banner inserted into Tannenberg!" General Samsonov ordered.
"Don't worry, Your Excellency Commander. The Germany people have lost the courage to continue fighting. They were beaten to pieces by us along the way. We only need to launch one attack to break through their defense line and capture Tannenberg." said a Major General Division Commander.
"Haha, that's right. I didn't expect that Germany people are so weak. I really don't know why French is so worried about Germany people attacking them." A lieutenant general couldn't believe it.
The other Russian generals also laughed. They have no doubts about winning the next battle. Even General Samsonov vaguely felt that something was not right. After all, German Army was known as the best in the world and could not be so weak. However, he was relieved when he thought that the main forces of the German Army were gathered on the Western Front and merged with French. In his opinion, Germany must have used the worst troops to intercept them, which is why such a result was achieved.
Early the next morning, Russian 2nd Army Corps launched an attack on Tannenberg.
In order to capture Tannenberg in one go, General Samsonov dispatched four Infantry Division at once, with more than 60,000 people. In addition, more than 400 cannons were assembled to provide fire cover for them. This kind of firepower configuration is already considered very luxurious for the Russian army.
"Open fire and kill all those Germany people!" General Samsonov gave the order.
More than 400 Russian artillery pieces began the bombardment. However, the Russian army has always lacked artillery. Most of these more than 400 artillery pieces are 76.2 mm caliber field artillery. There are very few cannons with a caliber of more than 100 mm.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The Russian cannons opened fire one after another, with orange-red flames shining at the muzzles, and the shells roared towards Tannenberg's German military position.
Artillery shells exploded on the position, and balls of fire rose up. Sand and gravel splashed on the battlefield, and gunpowder smoke filled the air. When the smoke dispersed, craters of varying sizes were left on the position.
However, because the Russian artillery is less powerful, it cannot cause much damage to German military's solid defensive position, and the losses caused to German military are naturally pitiful.
"General, do our artillery want to fight back?" A division commander asked Lieutenant General François for instructions.
"Russians's shelling is really too weak and poses no threat to us at all. Don't pay attention to them." Lieutenant General François said.
"Yes, General." The division commander nodded.
Due to the limited number of artillery shells they carried, the Russian artillery bombardment only lasted for more than ten minutes and ended.
General Samsonov is still very satisfied with this shelling. In his opinion, German military on the position must have suffered heavy losses.
"Attack! Try to capture Tannenberg before sunset." General Samsonov ordered.
"Yes, General." The division commanders in charge of the attack all answered confidently.
Perhaps it was because German military was so realistic in luring the enemy deep that all the Russian generals thought that German military's combat effectiveness was really bad. They were also full of confidence in the next attack, thinking that they could break through German defensive line in one fell swoop.
However, they soon learned that they couldn't be more wrong. German military is not as weak as they expected, everything is a trap.
"Attack!"
The order to attack was issued to all Russian troops. Countless Russian soldiers rushed out of their positions with rifles with bayonets or bare hands and launched a fierce attack on German military's position.
"Urra! Urra!"
Tens of thousands of Russian troops shouted loudly, forming an indomitable momentum. I have to admit that Russians is still very brave in fighting. Their 'Urra Charge' is even more impressive. Most people would be frightened into such an attack, let alone pick up weapons and continue fighting.
Unfortunately, they are facing German military. The soldiers of 8th Army Corps may not be the most elite among the German Army. But after years of training, he has become a completely different person. Russians's attack certainly made them feel a little nervous. However, it didn't have much impact.
"It's hard to imagine that Russians's equipment is so bad. Many people don't even have guns. How are they going to fight us, with fists?" 20th Corps Commander Lieutenant General Mackensen put down the telescope in his hand, shook his head and sighed.
"Russian Army's poor equipment has long been famous all over the world. You don't know this. However, don't forget that your 20th Corps was defeated by such an army." Lieutenant General François said with a smile.
Suddenly, Lieutenant General Mackensen became very depressed. Previously, his troops had to implement the strategy of luring the enemy deep into the enemy's territory and deliberately suffered many defeats. And this was naturally regarded as a shame by him. However, as long as the final victory can be achieved, even these sacrifices will be completely worth it.