Chapter 0199: Luring the Enemy In
Tannenburg, a small town situated just a few dozen kilometers south of Königsberg, lies merely a short distance from the border of East Prussia and the Russian-ruled Kingdom of Poland. Though small in size, its strategic importance is amplified, as it serves as the essential route for the Russian army advancing north towards Königsberg.
Upon the arrival of the 11th Army of the German Empire's 8th Corps, preparations to fortify the defenses began in earnest. The optimal strategy to inflict heavy casualties on or even encircle the Russian Northwestern Front's 2nd Army was to draw the Russians into an attack against the German's formidable defensive lines, causing them significant losses before launching a counteroffensive.
Although the 8th Armored Division had been deployed to Tannenburg's flank, their role was not to assist the 11th Army in defense but to serve as the main force for the upcoming counterattack against the Russians. Meanwhile, the 20th Army, after enticing the Russian 2nd Army to Tannenburg, would regroup and prepare for the subsequent offensive.
Thus, the task of guarding Tannenburg and depleting the Russian 2nd Army's forces rested entirely on the shoulders of the 11th Army. Despite its four infantry divisions comprising over 65,000 men, the pressure was palpable.
Major General François, the commander of the 11th Army, personally oversaw the defense efforts at Tannenburg. The German officers and soldiers diligently constructed the defensive positions as directed. It could be said that the German army's expertise in engineering was unparalleled in the world; they skillfully utilized all available materials to erect robust defensive structures. Within just a week, Tannenburg had transformed into a formidable fortress.
On August 16th, Qin Tian, along with Hindenburg and Ludendorff, visited Tannenburg to inspect its defenses. After a morning of evaluations, Qin Tian expressed his satisfaction with the fortifications. Even without being an expert, he could discern that under the strength of the German defensive lines, capturing Tannenburg would come at a steep cost to the Russians. It was likely that the Russian 2nd Army could expend all its resources without achieving their strategic goal.
"General François, it seems Tannenburg has become a veritable fortress. I truly pity the Russians; they have no idea how many lives they will lose in their upcoming assault," Qin Tian remarked with a smile.
"Your Highness, it would be ideal if the Russians could perish entirely here," General François replied, also chuckling.
"Hahaha!" The German officers erupted into laughter. They understood that this was merely banter, yet it undoubtedly reflected their optimism regarding the forthcoming battle. Despite the Russians' fierce approach and overwhelming numbers, they remained unfazed.
"General François, since you possess such confidence in Tannenburg's defenses, why not allow me to stay here and witness how you will vanquish the Russians?" Qin Tian proposed.
His suggestion startled General François.
"Your Highness, that is out of the question. Tannenburg is on the verge of becoming a battlefield, making it far too perilous for you to remain here. You must retreat to a safer location," General François insisted.
"I assure you, I would be quite safe here. With the protection of the most loyal soldiers, I would feel secure anywhere," Qin Tian replied with a smile.
"Your Highness, it would be best to return to Königsberg. Your presence here would only distract General François, as he would be preoccupied with your safety. That would not be ideal," General Hindenburg also urged.
Reluctantly, Qin Tian acquiesced; he was not one to cause a scene. His earlier statement had merely been a passing remark. Even though he was the imperial heir, he had never experienced the reality of a battlefield and was deeply curious. Despite having heard of the war's brutality, he yearned for firsthand experience. However, due to the generals' strong opposition, that wish remained unfulfilled.
That afternoon, Qin Tian departed from Tannenburg and returned to Königsberg. Thanks to advancements in communication technology, he could receive updates on the front lines in real time, alleviating any concerns.
The following day, August 17th, General Ivan Gzhilinski, the commander of the Russian Northwestern Front, issued the order to advance. The already mobilized forces of the German 1st and 2nd Armies crossed the German-Russian border and entered East Prussia.
At this juncture, the Russians realized that they had encountered no resistance along the way, not even the presence of civilians.
"The cowardly Germans have fled in advance! It is truly pathetic. Nevertheless, this allows us to reach Königsberg at a rapid pace," General Samsonov mused to himself.
Indeed, General Samsonov had already instructed several Cossack cavalry divisions to prepare for combat. Once they advanced within a mere few dozen kilometers of Königsberg, they would execute a westward flanking maneuver. Regardless of the circumstances, they aimed to cut off the road from Königsberg to the German hinterland, ensuring the imperial heir had no means of escape.
Regrettably, while General Samsonov's plan was ambitious, it was doomed to fail. From the beginning, it had been a trap set by the German 8th Corps, designed to lure the Russian 2nd Army led by Samsonov directly into Tannenburg.
The 20th Army, tasked with drawing the enemy in, performed admirably. They did not merely abandon their positions but engaged in strategic counterattacks at opportune moments. Some skirmishes turned quite fierce, which instilled no doubt in General Samsonov's mind. Under such circumstances, the Russian 2nd Army steadily advanced into the trap laid for them.
Simultaneously, the Russian 1st Army advancing from the east encountered no significant opposition. Though the German 17th Army had established multiple defensive lines in the east, they retreated almost immediately after each Russian assault, imparting a sense of inevitability to the Russians as if the Germans were compelled to withdraw.
Even General Ivan Gzhilinski, stationed in Warsaw, found the Russian advance alarmingly smooth. Yet, he thought little of it, attributing it to the overwhelming advantage held by the Russians, which rendered the Germans unable to resist, forcing them to withdraw.