Making a Run for It

On November 18, 1880, the Russian Army captured Poznan. The Prussian Army in Warsaw faced the danger of having its retreat cut off at any moment, and the Prusso-Russian War was beginning to take a clear turn.

Prussian Army Headquarters, Warsaw

Upon receiving this bad news, Moltke was not surprised in the slightest. Ever since he had refused to split his forces to reinforce Poznan, he had prepared for the worst.

There was skill involved even in taking the blame. Abandoning Warsaw was not something that could be decided with a few words; without sufficient justification, there would be no way to answer to the public.

At the military conference, Moltke said calmly, "Poznan fell ahead of schedule, and our rear has come under threat. Our plan to encircle and annihilate Russia's Third Army and Sixth Army has fallen through.

"We must now alter our original battle plan. First, we will retake the Poznan region and secure our lines of retreat. Then we will turn back and fight a decisive battle against the Russians at Warsaw.

"The Russian Eighth Army currently occupying Poznan consists mainly of infantry, with a total strength of nearly two hundred thousand. Among all Russian forces, its combat effectiveness can only be considered middling.

"The Russian Eighth Army is not fighting alone. The Russian Ninth Army is less than one hundred and sixty kilometers away. Once we launch our counterattack, the enemy will certainly send reinforcements.

"You have all heard something of the situation at home. The combat effectiveness of the newly raised troops is worrying, and they cannot enter the battlefield anytime soon.

"If we wish to retake the Poznan region from the enemy as quickly as possible, we must commit our main forces this time. We now need someone to remain in Warsaw and