Battle of Tannenberg (1914)
The Battle of Tannenberg, fought from August 23 to 26, 1914, was a significant early conflict during World War I, taking place in East Prussia. It featured the Russian First Army, commanded by General Pavel Rennenkampf, and the Russian Second Army, led by General Aleksandr Samsonov, facing off against the German Eighth Army under Generals Paul von Hindenburg and Erich Ludendorff. Initially, the Russians achieved an early victory against the Germans at Gumbinnen, prompting a German repositioning strategy that involved quickly moving troops to counter the Russian advance.
Due to poor communication and reconnaissance, Samsonov underestimated the strength of the German forces and proceeded with his advance. In a decisive maneuver, the Germans managed to encircle a significant portion of Samsonov's army, leading to a catastrophic defeat for the Russians, with large numbers captured. General Samsonov is believed to have taken his own life following the defeat, reflecting the personal and national tragedy of the event.
The victory at Tannenberg was pivotal for Germany, allowing them to refocus their military efforts on the Western Front and impacting the larger dynamics of the war, including potentially aiding the French during the Battle of the Marne. This battle exemplifies the complexities of early World War I engagements and the crucial role of leadership, strategy, and communication in wartime outcomes.
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Battle of Tannenberg (1914)
Type of action: Ground battle in World War I
Date: August 26-31, 1914
Location: East Prussia (later Stębark, Poland)
Combatants: 160,000 Germans vs. 200,000 Russians
Principal commanders:German, General Paul von Hindenburg (1847–1934), General Erich Ludendorff (1865–1937); Russian, General Pavel Rennenkampf (1854–1918), General Aleksandr Samsonov (1859–1914)
Result: German rout of Russian army
The Russian First Army, led by General Pavel Rennenkampf, advanced west into East Prussia toward Knigsberg, defeating the German Eighth Army under General Max von Prittwitz at Gumbinnen (August 20, 1914). Prittwitz, after panicking and proposing to abandon East Prussia, was replaced with Generals Paul von Hindenburg and Erich Ludendorff on August 22.
The Russian Second Army, under General Aleksandr Samsonov, advanced north into East Prussia on August 20-21, aiming to cut off the German retreat before Rennenkampf’s advance. Because of poor reconnaissance and communication, Samsonov was ignorant of the strength of the German forces and that Rennenkampf had halted.
Prittwitz’s chief of operations, Lieutenant Colonel Max Hoffmann, presented a plan, approved by Hindenburg and Ludendorff. Holding off Rennenkampf with one cavalry division, the remainder of the Eighth Army turned south to attack Samsonov. The German Twentieth Corps withdrew before Samsonov’s advance during this redeployment, the most notable element of which was the two-hundred-mile transfer by rail of the First Corps, led by General Hermann von Franois, from the German left flank to the right flank.
On August 26, General August von Mackensen’s Seventeenth Corps attacked the right flank of Samsonov’s army and pushed it back. Franois advanced from the west behind Samsonov during August 27-29 and linked up with Mackensen, completely encircling two-and-a-half Russian corps, capturing 122,000 troops and 500 guns. The Germans lost 15,000 men. General Samsonov disappeared on the night of August 29 and is thought to have committed suicide.
Significance
The victory allowed Germany to concentrate on the western front. The Russian invasion had caused Germany to divert units to the eastern front and may have aided the French during the Battle of the Marne (September, 1914).
Bibliography
Showalter, Dennis E. Tannenberg: Clash of Empires. Hamden, Conn.: Archon Books, 1991.
Stone, Norman. The Eastern Front, 1914–1918. New York: Charles Scribner and Sons, 1975.