Chapter 0214: Escape

The catastrophic defeat of the Russian Second Army at Tannenberg dealt a significant blow to the entire Northwestern Front. Although the Second Army comprised only forty percent of the total forces in the Northwestern Front, the absence of its support raises serious doubts about whether the remaining Russian forces can still defeat the German Eighth Army and realize their plans for occupying East Prussia.

This, of course, is utterly impossible! The battle of Tannenberg has starkly revealed the formidable combat strength of the German forces. While the First Army is indeed stronger than the Second, its advantages are exceedingly limited. Under such circumstances, it is evidently unfeasible to overcome the Germans.

When General Ivan Gzhilinski learned of the Second Army's dismal defeat, he was in the midst of enjoying his dinner. The exquisite combination of vodka and fine steak tantalized his palate. In the Kingdom of Poland, prominent Russian figures were accustomed to the finest luxuries, such as the sumptuous fare on his table and the beautiful Polish maidens surrounding him, any of whom he could easily indulge in.

However, it wasn't long before General Gzhilinski found himself devoid of any inclination to linger over the charms of those lovely maidens. 

"General, we have received urgent telegrams from the front," a flustered staff officer burst into the room.

"What has happened?" General Gzhilinski replied, a frown creasing his brow. The interruption of his meal and enjoyment of the beautiful girls had thoroughly displeased him. Yet, as the commander of the Northwestern Front, he was still able to discern the gravity of the situation.

"General, the Second Army has suffered a catastrophic defeat at Tannenberg. General Samsonov has ordered the entire army to disperse and break through. From the information we currently possess, very few units have managed to escape successfully," the staff officer reported.

"What? That fool Samsonov! Who gave him the authority to order a retreat?" General Gzhilinski seethed. From the staff officer's words, it was clear that the Second Army was likely finished, which fueled his rage.

Even before the Second Army faced defeat at Tannenberg, General Gzhilinski harbored a foreboding sense that this could be a German trap. Thus, he had revised the operational plans to use the Second Army as bait, aiming to delay the main German forces while placing hope for a breakthrough on the First Army. Yet, he could never have anticipated this disastrous outcome.

"General, the Second Army has been subjected to a fierce German offensive; the frontline positions have been lost, and the troops are in disarray. Even the Cossack cavalry was unable to halt the German advance, incurring severe losses in the process. Only under duress did General Samsonov issue the order to disperse and break out," the staff officer continued.

General Gzhilinski was acutely aware of the implications. If not in a dire situation, General Samsonov would never have given such an order. However, despite understanding the necessity, the heavy losses remained unbearable for him.

The downfall of the Second Army signified that the prospects for the Russian Northwestern Front were bleak, with victory now appearing almost unattainable. The potential repercussions of this defeat were far beyond what he could bear.

"Immediately contact Samsonov! I demand to know exactly what transpired. How could the Second Army falter under the German onslaught and not withstand even a single day?" General Gzhilinski stated darkly.

Though he now realized he had underestimated the combat capabilities of the German forces, he still could not fathom how they could be so powerful as to annihilate over one hundred thousand soldiers in just one day. It was simply incomprehensible.

"Yes, General," the staff officer nodded, eager to depart. He had no desire to remain in the presence of General Gzhilinski's fury.

"Wait! Also send a telegram to General Rennenkampf, instructing him to retreat immediately and cease any advance," General Gzhilinski commanded.

The staff officer hesitated, then saluted before making his exit. 

General Gzhilinski's order for the First Army to begin a retreat effectively signaled the abandonment of their hopes for victory. However, it was a necessity. With the Second Army's catastrophic defeat, the First Army's situation had also become precarious. If they pressed forward, they would surely fall into the clutches of the main German forces. Given that the Second Army had succumbed in a single day, General Gzhilinski could not believe the First Army could endure much longer.

"Damn those Germans! How can their combat strength be so overwhelming?" General Gzhilinski cursed.

Despite his conviction that he had comprehended the German strategy and made adequate preparations, he had still underestimated their formidable fighting power, resulting in this devastating loss. Now, all he could do was withdraw the First Army and conserve what strength remained.

As for defeating the Germans and achieving victory, that would be a concern for another day. He first needed to secure more reinforcements from home; without them, all would be in vain.

General Gzhilinski lifted his gaze to the beautiful Polish maidens, and in his fury, he pounced upon them like a ravenous tiger upon its prey. In his current state, he needed a release for his pent-up anger.

The screams echoed through the room, yet no one came to the aid of those Polish maidens. Perhaps this reflected the tragic fate of the enslaved Polish people.

Meanwhile, at Lake Masurian, the First Army was struggling to advance. The treacherous terrain, compounded by the obstruction from the German Seventeenth Army, severely hampered their progress, resulting in increasing casualties. This situation left General Rennenkampf in a state of deep frustration.

General Gzhilinski had ordered him to capture Königsberg at all costs and then head south to assist the Second Army in annihilating the German main forces at Tannenberg. Initially, General Rennenkampf had thought this mission a splendid opportunity for his troops to pillage the prosperous city of Königsberg. However, they found themselves mired in delays at Lake Masurian, which only fueled his anger, yet left him with no outlet for it.

"General, urgent communications from the commander!" a panicked staff officer rushed toward General Rennenkampf.

General Rennenkampf furrowed his brow.

But upon reading the telegram, his expression changed dramatically.

"Curse it! How could that fool Samsonov have failed so swiftly? This has been a German trap from the start!" General Rennenkampf bellowed in terror.

"Retreat! The entire army must retreat!"